[HPFGU-Movie] Re: Casting Umbridge

[Iggy McSnurd]

> Taryn:
> JKR cares. She's specifically requested an all-British cast. (Chris
Columbus' daughter playing Susan Bones seems more like a father doting on
his daughter, as Susan bones doesn't actually speak and is only seen in
scenes.) Also, I've heard a lot of British HP fans on the subject of
Americans being cast who say that they find it extremely easy to tell when
an accent is being faked. Obviously most Americans probably can't (I sure
wouldn't be able to) as they haven't grown up speaking it and listening to
it. But this reminds me of Ralph Finnes attempt at an American accent in
Maid in Manhattan which, although I adore the actor, was a bit grating at
points in the movie.
>
> *shrugs* But I don't really know. I'm certainly not British myself, it's
just a sentiment I've heard from a lot of British HP fans.
>
> ----------
> Taryn : http://taryn.shirataki.net


I think the only people who can really pull off a given accent are those who
spent a good deal of time around one or more people who spoke in that accent
from childhood.  If you try to train in an accent, it usually comes off as
odd or "not-quite natural."

Personally, I grew up in California, but I can pull off a Scottish accent
that people from Scotland that I know have said sounds like I'm a native.
The reason for this is because the mother of one of my best friends in high
school (that friend being my "little sis", Maureen.. and she referred to me
as her "Big Bro") was born and raised in Glasgow.  While she had lived in
the US for about 30 years, her first 30 or more were vein her homeland, so
(as anyone from Scotland knows) she could never lose her thick Glasgow
"Scottish Brogue."

I spent entire weekends at their house for years, so I picked up on the
accent.  (Being someone with 5 years of drama training, 2 years of speech,
and 2 years of choir, I tend to mimic accents of other people I hang out
with... even if I don't know I'm doing it.)

So, while I can pull off a Scott accent like a native, and a passable Irish
one (though it doesn't sound quite right...), my English accent sucks eggs.
(And don't even ASK me to try a Welsh one...)


Some people can pull off the accents, and some can't.  I think it all
depends on their background, and what accent it is.


Just my two centaurs worth.

Iggy McSnurd
the Prankster