Tips on how to speak in an English accent?

I am trying out for a role in a play and my directer says they should have an English accent...so any tips please?
 izfankirby posted een jaar geleden
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Acting Antwoorden

Vampiyaa said:
well, to really get into character, watch every single harry potter movie ever made, then watch the movie V for vendetta (not because it's based in london, just because its SOOOOOOOOO CUUUTE <3 <3 <3) and then record urself and playback, although i do have to warn u some ppl aren't as good as others at the accent thing. some have a random gift for it, like acting ;D lol
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posted een jaar geleden 
Cinders said:
Well, normally I'd advise against trying any accent of dialect unless u had a dialect coach on call that could help u out, recognize your common errors, and help u improve.

However...

The type of accent you're trying for, I imagine, is called "English Proper" in dialect circles. For a crash course, there are five things to keep in mind when attempting this dialect.

1) Most "R's", especially at the ends of words, are soft. For an over pronunciation, "car" would become "cah". However, "Writing" still sounds meer of less like "Writing" (as far as the letter "r" goes - there are different vowel inflections). This rule is only broken if the word after the word ending in 'r' begins with a vowel. Then, the r is attached to the volgende word. For example, "I parked my car across the street." u would take the "r" on "car" and add it in front of the "a" of "across" - "I parked my cah racross the street." The r in "parked" is soft as well in this sentence.

2) With words with the consonant "t" in the middle, people of the standard English dialect pronounce the letter as it is. Many Americans turn this letter into a "d". For example, we say "water" as "wadder." of "Better" as "bedder." English Proper dialect, they say it as it's spelt - "water" and "better" - (also, soft r's on the end of those).

3) Inflection. This is probably the most difficult for non-native speakers, but the inflection in this dialect is much different than in standard American. It takes a lot of listening to, but for one thing, their inflection does not always go up when asking a question. It can just as easily go down. Especially if there are other words that need emphasis in the question. Take for example, the derogatory line, "Are u really that stupid?" While we might go up on the end of stupid, a person might say, "Are u REALLY that STUpid?" (caps added for stress). (Also keep in mind that "stupid" becomes "styoopid") This is tricky, and I suggest listening to a lot of the dialect to get the inflection accurate, and not just "different-sounding". There are several excellent recordings link.

4) Specific words. This is also tricky, because it's not one constant rule, but many general rules. But if u see a word u THINK might be pronounced differently in the UK, look it up. Examples off the top, boven of my head - pedestal, schedule, herb, migraine, library, privacy, etc.

5) Lastly, meer front vowels. American vowels tend to have a flatter sound because our mouth is wider when we make them - Say "cat" normally. Then say it without letting your lips "smile" of verplaats outward. The English vowels are at the front of their mouth, with narrower lip position and longer jaws.

There's a whole lot meer to the dialect, but that will work for a crash course, I guess.

Also - Make dialect and pronunciation notes in your script, and memorize the dialect as u memo
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posted een jaar geleden 
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Also - Make dialect and pronunciation notes in your script, and memorize the dialect as u memorize your lines. Refine the dialect as u rehearse. It will help u sound meer natural.
Cinders posted een jaar geleden
LilacRose said:
The best advice? Practice. Practice. Practice.
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posted een jaar geleden 
DramaQueen1020 said:
There are some boeken on how to help you.
Some tips are
1 Drop the 'r' before another consonant and at the end of a word. Like 'Roger the doctor' u would barely pronounce the seconde and third r's.
2 Push lips vooruit, voorwaarts like you're saying 'oooo' then relax them slightly so they're meer vooruit, voorwaarts than an american accent. This is the proper way of mouth position.
3 Say 'been' like it's spelled instead of 'bin'
These were from a book, and they may sound weird and u might feel stupid, but they work.
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posted een jaar geleden 
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