Over the past month, I had the opportunity to take a five class series from professional dialect coach Doug Honorof. Based in New York, Honorof has worked with actors and served as a script consultant on numerous film and television projects.
The series began with Articulatory Flexibility, which went through the nuts and bolts of how we make sound, and turn that into language. The intro class was a tertiary look at dialect charts, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and diagrams of mouth placement during specific sounds. While there was a lot of technical information introduced, it was broken up with group practice of the various sounds. It was a wonderful way to enter the world of dialectical study, and re-examine the capabilities of my mouth, an already-intimate instrument for the actor.
The following weeks were spent in Dialects I and II, where we prepared and practiced chosen dialects before workshopping them with Doug. As I struggled through Sardinian, Dublin, and Puerto Rican dialects, Doug would practice the accent alongside me, even while giving his instruction. I was floored watching him switch between eight different dialects in a day, making leaps across countries as well as demonstrating and explaining the tonal and cultural differences between domestic dialects.
Working with a dialect expert in an educational setting was invaluable as an actor. The voiceover world’s high-profile projects and producers are finally acknowledging the responsibility and consequences that come with casting actors to play across their cultures and experiences. There is a greater demand not only for stories about different identities, but for said stories to be authentically representative. If our current artistic mediums, particularly video games, wish to promote themselves as culturally-significant works, then producers need to honestly engage with the communities these stories come from, going beyond isolated projects, and working towards changing the culture of who is making games, writing scripts, and directing projects. The difference between engagement with or concession towards a particular group can mean the difference between a work being representative or exploitative.
While the ethics of voice casting are an ever-constant conversation, one that delves into the complexities of one’s identity, a good place for the actor to start is in the classroom, having the opportunity to understand the historical context and development of dialect as a facet of culture. Vocal affects and accents are just one part of a character’s identity, and stories are about characters not caricatures.
Reflecting on my experiences, I’m reminded of conversations I’ve had with fellow voice actors in regards to their work on games, the medium with perhaps the most fantastic and speculative settings. Their own dialects, whether native or learned, fluent or familiar, gave them a starting point to build voices for their characters, and better serve the world and story beyond their individual role.
Let’s say your next copy is for a working-class rebel in a cyberpunk setting. An actor could synthesize their dialect training, unique vocal sound, and the script’s specs to make a choice that is not only bold, but comes from a place of truth. Maybe that voice is how the actor imagines a historically working-class dialect like cockney would evolve in the future. The actor’s knowledge creates a voice that is authentic to both our own world and the world of the game, and can better represent the culture used for inspiration. In this way, for actor and audience alike, dialect can be used to reveal character and culture, whether real or imagined, and give real weight to the voices behind those stories.
Related Classes:
Work with world renowned dialect coach, Doug Honorof, on your French and German dialects in DIALECT DEEP DIVES: FRENCH & GERMAN (October 17 & 24 • Sundays • 2-5pm PDT)
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 23-29) and what's coming your way next week.
Explore the role dubbing plays at Netflix, with interesting nuggets from the dubbing and subtitling team at Netflix themselves!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 16-22) and what's coming your way next week.
Seventeen's Leah Campano asks Rosalie Chiang questions about the VO industry, her career and more!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 9-15) and what's coming your way next week.
The students of Voice One show their appreciation for #Teacherappreciationweek.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 2-8) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 25-May 1) and what's coming your way next week.
Elley Ray Hennessy shares her wisdom regarding voicing animated characters.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 18-24) and what's coming your way next week.
Part four of our four part series of what you can do outside the booth to find greater success in voice over.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 11-17) and what's coming your way next week.
Let’s tackle big, old, ugly fear. Here are five ways to conquer your fear of trying improv, or anything new.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 4-10) and what's coming your way next week.
From Robin Williams to Tina Fey, here are 25 reasons why improv will not only make you a better actor, but will change your life!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (March 28-April 3) and what's coming your way next week.
Aaron sits down with Lori Alan to discuss a voice actor's role in animation and up coming class, Talk to the Booth Lady.
If you are a future VO superstar, join our youth Summer program coming up in June 2022! Classes available for students 4th-12th grade!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (March 21-27) and what's coming your way next week.
Video games have become a sophisticated and immensely popular form of entertainment and recreation, and the voice acting involved keeps evolving.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (March 14-20) and what's coming your way next week.
Five ways to mitigate the negative consequences that come along with time change.
Part three of our four part series of what you can do outside the booth to find greater success in voice over.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (March 7-13) and what's coming your way next week.
One of the most highly influential players in voice acting history
Exclusive interviews with 2K Games Casting Manager Tom Celia, E-Learning Entrepreneur Angeli Fitch, MoCap Legend Walt Gray IV, AND workshops starting this weekend!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (February 28-March 6) and what's coming your way next week.
Part two of our four part series of what you can do outside the booth to find greater success in voice over.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (February 21-27,) and what's coming your way next week.
Our four part series of what you can do outside the booth to find greater success in voice over.
We've created a guide that you can print up and bring with you to your Super Bowl watching party. After the game, upload your answers and compare!
Why are explainer videos on the rise and what does it mean for voice actors?
A quick look at what's coming your way. January 24-30, plus a peek at next week.
In anticipation of her upcoming class on American Accents, Aaron sits down with renowned dialect coach of stage and screen, Lynne Soffer, for a brief interview.
A quick look at what's coming your way. January 17-23, plus a peek at next week.
Get out of your own way and own your year in VO by applying this advice.
A quick look at what's coming your way. January 10-16, plus a peek at next week.
Aaron meets with Walt Gray IV to discuss the why voice actors should know how to audition through self-tapes.
A quick look at what's coming your way. January 3-9, plus a peek at next week.
Sally shares an experience that shifted her perspective on perseverance in voice over.
Aaron finds out what Marika Casteel has to say about acting and voice over
Wishing you happiness and good company as we wind down the year
We felt so inspired after our Professional Invitational with Rowen Wagner from Moose Toys, we just had to write about it!
Aaron asks Gavin a few questions about Commercial VO and his new class at Voice One.
A Tech Tip clarification from our brilliant instructor Jim Edgar
Three steps to stop listening to yourself while performing commercial VO
Take a look at the awesome classes coming your way this month, and join us in-person in San Francisco or online via Zoom.
Many actors are affected by dyslexia, but it isn't talked about enough.
Check out what we have in store for you this month!
Voice Acting is more than just reading, no matter the sales pitch.
Interview and Q&A with Tom Celia - Recording Available!
How the pandemic changed dubbing and what that means for the future
Join us on September 8 and meet Cliff!
“I will quite often come out of the booth drenched in sweat, but those are the things that I live for.”
This weekend only! Save $50 on your class registration!
'Twelve Minutes' required much more time in the booth
A quick look at classes starting this weekend and next week!
Voice actor Kayleigh McKee discusses her experience in voiceover and progress in representation
Blizzard's Casting Director Wants You to Bring Truth to the Fantastic Worlds of Video Games
Join us this Thursday (8/5) for a *FREE* Webinar!
A Discussion of VO and Mocap in Video Games
Meet and perform for some of the best in the industry!
Making your audition stand out and connect to the listener is the route to success. Here are some great suggestions how.
Everything you need to know about why, how, and when to take the Voice One Core Curriculum this semester!
Standing out in a crowd is difficult, especially if you are consciously or unconsciously emulating what you've heard before.
What's up with the recent changes to Audacity?
Entire Core Curriculum is available from July 19th to August 8th in our Summer Fast Track!
Interview and Q&A with Tyler Rhoads on July 9
We now have fun and affordable offerings for you every Friday night!
Much has changed in Voice Over in the past few decades.
Tackling the issue of representation in the audiobooks industry comes with a number of unique concerns
An interview with a voice casting director on the state of the industry
Kelly Tran's seeming sudden prominence in the public eye is rooted in years of dedication to the craft.
Come meet our next guest talent agent!
Solid advice on being the voice actor that directors want in their projects.
Steve Pogatch – Lead Audio Producer – Pandora/Sirius XM/Stitcher (Studio Resonate)
Emi Lo, Apphiya Yu, and Shawn Gann discuss their perspectives on Asian-American representation in Anime and more
Knowing what works is great, but knowing what doesn't work can save you a lot of anguish.
What makes acting in animation believable and bookable?
Anjali shares realistic advice from what she has learned over the course of her amazing career.
Award season always brings up the question about recognition of voice acting by the Academy
We spoke with the legendary dialect coach on learning accents
Embracing your "imperfections" can make you a better creative collaborator.