Does having an accent limit acting opportunities? by John Essay

As a rule, the more versatility an actor has can only provide him/her with more opportunities. A fruit vendor that only sells bananas would most likely increase his income if he sold other fruits as well. You certainly can get work with an accent, but it will limit the jobs you can get. There are only a few movie stars that have done quite well with an accent, such as Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Sofia Vergara, Holly Hunter, Charo. These actors started their careers off with their own accents.  For them, it wasn’t necessary to “lose” their accents because they quickly established their careers with their accents.  The odds are that most actors with accents won’t be as lucky as this group of stars, so it makes sense to “lose” your accents in the beginning of your career to afford you more opportunities. I’m not saying hide it forever; you can still continue to audition for parts that have your native accent. 

In general, it helps to be able to learn to speak without accents or regionalisms (such as a Southern, a Boston, New York or Midwest American regional accent). Anna Torv and John Noble, the two leading actors on the J.J. Abrams series "Fringe", are both from Australia, yet they speak with neutral American accents on the show.  Since they haven’t made a career out of using their native accent like the actors I mentioned above, it was important to them to speak without an accent to increase their job opportunities - and a good thing they did, or they wouldn’t have starred on this cult classic series.

For those of you who want to learn to speak without an accent, there are many Speech Coaches that specialize in this area.  There are also a number of online sites that can also help you learn to speak with any regionalisms.

If you have trouble learning other dialects, or if you are just passionate enough about your own heritage and do not wish to explore neutral accents, I say good for you, nothing wrong with that, and now you know the limitations you are faced with.  Just remember: if you choose to move forward with your accent, DICTION is the important thing to remember. If you have an accent, we MUST understand everything you say!  The Casting Director or Director will appreciate it, as well as the author whose words you are saying!

Remember, just because you have learned to speak without an accent doesn't mean you must live the rest of your life without it. Use it at home, use it with your friends, but leave it at home when auditioning for roles that don’t require one.

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WHEN AM I TOO SICK TO AUDITION? by John Essay

If you are too sick to audition, don't go! Even if it is with the casting director you have been trying to meet for years, don’t go – it is so not worth it. The fact of the matter is, if your illness will affect your audition in ANY way, don't go. An audition that was less than your best is never excusable because you were sick; it is simply an audition at which you were less than your best. SINGERS, this is particularly addressed to you! Being sick means you have far less control over your voice. And, trust me, casting directors are already sensitive to getting sick themselves because they see hundreds of actors for any given project. The last thing they need is your runny nose, your cough or a voice that doesn't sound remotely like your own healthy voice.

I had a client who auditioned for a Broadway comic musical with a severe cold; she just had to go.  She was lucky and was called back - OR WAS SHE? When she returned for her callback, she was healthy and sounded nothing like she did before. It was her sick audition voice they fell in love with, but now she couldn't replicate it. Needless to say she didn't get the job.   I hope that none of you ever have to ask yourselves “Am I too sick to go to the audition”?  Forever health to all of you.

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I have an accent - will it hinder my opportunities?

Let me start by saying that the more versatility an actor has can only provide him/her more opportunities.  You certainly can get work with an accent, but it will limit the jobs you can get.There are only a few movie stars that have done quite well with an accent, such as Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, and Holly Hunter.

In general, it helps to be able to learn to speak without accents or regionalisms (such as a Southern, a Boston, New York or Midwest American regional accent). Anna Torv and John Noble, the two leading actors on the J.J. Abrams series "Fringe", are both from "Down Under" (that's Australia, people!), yet they speak with neutral American accents on the show.

A Speech Coach or Voice Coach can help you learn to speak without your accent - you can find them on our website in our RESOURCES under CLASSES.

DICTION is the important thing to remember if you intend to keep your accent or regionalism. If you have an accent, we MUST understand everything you say!  The Casting Director or Director will appreciate it, as well as the author whose words you are saying!

Remember, just because you have learned to speak without an accent doesn't mean you must live the rest of your life without it. Use it at home, use it with your friends, just leave it at home when attending to your business.