AMERICAN ACTOR BRANDON SCOTT

I am the luckiest person on the planet. I get to work with people like Brandon Scott.

A dedicated actor, Brandon, who is originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had a recurring role playing Dr. Ryan Spalding on Grey’s Anatomy and most recently appeared in CSI: NY. He has also Guest Starred in NCIS: Los Angles and ABC’s Seattle Grace: On Call.

Brandon was referred to me by his manager. He needed a Nigerian accent for an audition. It was last minute but this young man nailed the scene and the accent.

Here’s what the brilliantly talented Brandon Scott wrote about his experience.

“I love working with accents, but rarely feel confident auditioning using one.  So when I had to utilize a Nigerian accent for a last minute Equity audition for A Raisin in the Sun, I was beyond terrified.  Insert Claudette Roche, who, after a very productive, energetic, and enjoyable hour of working with her, gave me all the tools I needed to walk into the audition and really own the part.  And amazingly, I booked the job!  Claudette truly has a gift, and I cannot praise her work enough.”

A few weeks later, Brandon contacted me. He had landed the Indie film, Amaru, playing the Haitian role of Fabien Coyan. Brandon was a little concerned. The director, Robert A. Cuadra, wanted an authentic Haitian accent. He was clear, “Not Jamaican!” I laughed when Brandon told me this. I cannot tell you how often actors do a Jamaican or a West African accent in lieu of Haitian.

Plot line: A young revolutionary questions humanity and the chaos of war during socio-political upheaval in the fictional Latin American country of Caldera.

I knew Brandon’s process and that he would be fantastique. We decided that his character would have been educated in France and Haiti, so his accent would be a fine blend. By the end of the hour class, I was completely happy with the accent and so was Brandon. On the day of shooting, he had made the accent and the attitude seamless. Brandon’s Haitian friend remarked that he really liked how at times the French came out more.

With his drive, talent and leading man handsomeness, Brandon will continue to excel and win.

Brandon Scott is represented by Innovative Artists in New York and Los Angeles and Sweeney Management in Los Angeles.

Respect [ riˈspekt ] – noun
1) Ali G’s favorite word
2) due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others

I was watching a popular TV show a few months ago. This particular episode was set on the Caribbean island of Haiti with American actors playing Haitians. I hadn’t worked with them and was interested to hear their accents, so I tuned in.

I sat, I watched, I was saddened. Not one of the actors had a Haitian accent. Instead, they’d opted for a West African sound which is obviously nothing like Haitian. French is the official language of this island nation but no one would know it from these portrayals. No beautiful lilt, no French Rs, no nasal vowels, rien de tout (nothing at all).

We are all impressed when we hear foreign actors do flawless American accents; Nicole Kidman (To Die For), Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Hugh Laurie (House) and Idris Elba (Obsessed). And conversely, we know how we feel when they fail at this task. I’ll not mention anyone out of respect.

An actor’s job is to play full and honest characters to the best of their ability. This includes doing proper research. Actors should be as committed as Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond, Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda, Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare In Love and Renée Zellwegger in Bridget Jones’s Diary.

If you’re an actor, look at yourself. Look at your look. What roles could you be called in for? Be ready. Don’t wait and give a “close enough” accent.

Respect your audience. Respect your craft. Respect yourself.