Doug Honorof is one of the most sought after dialect coaches and dialogue consultants in film and tv (imdb.me/dialectdoug). He has taught at Voice One since 2000 and has lectured extensively around the country including in the Acting Department of the Yale School of Drama. His client roster includes Broadway stars, well-respected film, television and voice actors and some of the most talented newbies in the business!
We had the privilege to speak with Doug to offer you all a little insight into the world of accents and dialects. Here's what he had to say:
Why should a voice actor study dialects?
Learning to shift your voice can up your bookability for lots of reasons. For one, directors like working with actors who can make adjustments without freaking out. If you study voices and really go deep with them, it can open you up -- make you more empathetic -- help you see from a different perspective, maybe, and that can make you more flexible; more responsive, more spontaneous, more available to the director -- less prickly when you get a note. And, frankly, more credible. And what voice actor doesn't want that?
What is the biggest challenge when learning a new dialect?
The sooner you learn to self-adjust, the less frustrated you'll be. Because you'll get a lot of feedback when you play "dialect parts." And it isn't always productive feedback. Many people in the business will project their anxieties about accent work onto you. In some cases it's because they don't understand your process -- and why should they -- maybe your process is very private -- but sometimes it's because they've had bad experiences in the past with actors who don't know how to incorporate the voice work organically, so the vocal adjustment itself jumps out or gets in the way -- makes the actor less emotionally available or less expressive. Or maybe they've worked with actors who don't have the training they need to keep the voice consistent. That creates an editing nightmare for a v/o or on-camera production, so you can't really blame them for worrying. And some directors don't really have the rhetoric they need to talk about voice work clearly, so you're left trying to guess the real meaning behind their notes so you can get on with your own work. And you need to understand those notes.
Are certain dialects easier to learn than others?
Not exactly. But if you haven't heard an accent or voice type much, you may have to do a lot of listening up front so you can build up a long-term memory to work off of.
What advice would you give to someone who struggles with learning dialects?
Play a little. Explore. Learn to make all the sounds of all the languages spoken around the world -- not just the sounds of your own language or of a so-called "standard" dialect. Learn a notation system so you can keep track of the sounds you are learning -- you'll need that for recall. Learn as much as you possibly can about the history of English (or whatever language you are working in) -- and about how to guess pronunciation from spelling, if possible. Eventually you should be able to teach yourself dialects, though it's always helpful to get feedback, but when you are starting out, it's super important that you work with a trainer who has a keen ear and who won't dishearten you, but also won't try to make you feel good about work that isn't your best. And then force yourself to practice reading copy or scripts in accent without locking into a read. These are learnable skills for all of us, not for just a select few, either.
We'll be sending a new-and-improved commercial watching guide for 2020 - check out last year's guide and repsonses, and stay tuned!
Danny spoke with Leapfrog senior producer and fellow voice actor Chuck Wedge to find out why his upcoming "Sense of Play" class has been on his mind for over 10 years.
Sally suggests letting these four words become your mantra for 2020.
Sally toasts to 2020 with a story of a time she felt like she could conquer the world...
Sally ponders what would happen if actors were to give an audition as a gift to their client.
Give the gift of learning this holiday season. Voice One holiday gift ideas for your list or theirs!
Due to popular demand, beginning in 2020, Voice One will now be offering online classes!
Happy Holidays! Our December 2019 newsletter has arrived, and is chock full of exciting announcements and offers!
We had such a great response to our Black Friday sale, we've extended it to Cyber Monday!
Here's a look at what's coming to Voice One between now and the end of the year. End the year with a strong finish as you continue to hone your craft!
An article from our upcoming Professional Invitational guest, John Kovacevich
We are excited to announce our special guest for the final Professional Invitational class of 2019!
Take a look at our ten brand new classes coming to Voice One in 2020!
Now through Monday 11/4 at 5pm, take advantage of our discounted pricing for these classes
See what Voice One has in store for 2020, including some exciting new classes!
Join us this Sunday to meet the "VO-mad" as he speaks about his career as a world traveler
From Robin Williams to Tina Fey, here are 25 reasons why improv not only make you a better actor, but change your life!
The Voice One Training Vocal Booth is available to rent in San Francisco! Here's how you can use it...
What is the meaning of this mantra? Take "Script Analysis" with Sally and find out!
Sally muses on a recent article from Second City's Kim Greene Hiller on how improv builds resiliency, listening, team-building, and creativity.
Another VO for Kids (ages 10-17) is just around the corner. Help spread the word to any youngsters you know who are itching to get behind the mic!
Find out why Copy Intensive is some students' favorite class at Voice One
Be understood no matter the circumstance using clear diction
The latest bookings, signings, and other news from your peers!
Sally reflects after her recent showing of Hamilton
We've got some great classes headed your way next week and there are a handful of spaces available in each of them! Take a look...
Guess who's back?! That's right! Lil' Dino has returned to usher in the fall with a Labor Day Weekend Flash Sale!
Inspired by the three-week intensive some of our students recently completed, Danny spoke with Voice One Vocal Health instructor Julia Norton who has over 25 years of experience teaching people how to have a free and healthy voice.
It started on July 20th. 23 days and 138 hours later, our Summer Fast Track is complete. I watched these students grow and flourish over these three weeks, and here’s what I came away with:
Wanna know a great way to end your kids' summer vacation? With Voice Over, of course!
Danny spoke with Voice One Founder Elaine Clark, who has over 30 years experience as a casting director in video games, anime, toys, corporate narration, documentaries, and commercials, about what it means to be a casting director.
Courage to what? Speak, fight back, be heard, perform voice over, recite poetry, sing, rap, record, and amplify your authority.
An Interview with Top Dialect Coach Doug Honorof
Sally shares a bit of wisdom she heard from a former coach that has helped boost her confidence during auditions.
An upcoming class to practice "inhabiting an audition"
Having the backing of talent agents can be critical to our success!
Sally reflects on her early resistance to the union in her prior work, and how important the actors' union is to her.
Please join us for an upcoming event featuring our local SAG-AFTRA union rep!
Sally takes us back to her early days of voice acting and the origins of her cleverly crafted persona, Actor Girl.
Why every voice actor needs personal branding and self-promotion.
The importance of those "additional skills" - A little more about our Business & Marketing, Advanced Marketing, and Home Recording classes
We are thrilled that the incredible Amanda Rose Smith will be here at Voice One for a three-hour audio editing workshop.
The Daytime Conservatory takes you and a small group of peers on a ten-week tour of the core, expanding your range by immersing you in scripts from across the VO-spectrum.
Sally recounts a pivotal moment in her voice over training
We sent out a Super Bowl scavenger hunt to aide you in watching the year's biggest commercials with a critical eye. Many of you sent us your answers, and we wanted to share some of our biggest take-aways.
Voice One offers a beginning improv class that takes you through the the basic rules of improv (believe it or not, there are rules!) through games and scenes. Laura Derry creates a fun and safe space for you to succeed and fail and you'll laugh and learn a lot!
A guide for watching the Super Bowl commercials with the critical eye of a professional voice over actor.
We are premiering a new class called Storytelling in VO. The class takes place over two Thursdays: January 31st and February 7th from 6:30pm-9:30pm taught by Sally. The class will cover the short story format, with scripts from commercials, corporate narration, literature, and children’s books.
Sally tells her own voice over story - how she went from dancer to voice actor.
