HOW TO DO A BRITISH ACCENT CONVINCINGLY (1) FOR AMERICAN ACTORS (Acting Coach NYC)

How American actors can do a perfect British accent. New York
acting-coach John Windsor-Cunningham here gives hundreds of British accent sounds with pauses after them for the viewer to repeat the words. By concentrating on a few
sounds the viewer can become perfect at those sounds, and
then find it easier to manage other aspects of a British accent.
This is only one of dozens of videos giving his free, detailed advice for actors.

[@civishamburgum1234]

You conviced me. I'll get the tea back out of the harbour.

[@royalbirb2090]

*TRAITOR!*

[@fpsgod3028]

@@royalbirb2090 I read traitor in a British accent. I feel like I've been brainwashed

[@justsomeguy8029]

@Vikrant Panday I read it in a British accent because I *am* British

[@kdssblm8111]

lmao I'll help

[@Ryuomaa]

Hamburg meine Perle

[@floupploup5496]

To practice I read the comments outloud in my brit accent

[@dylanminnettesfuturewife4108]

genius

[@rx500android]

Same

[@eliaswilliamsson8553]

I just read that in british, and giggled

[@DinosourousRexx]

Doing this rn lol 😂

[@HandledToaster2]

I was just doing that wtf

[@Rain_MG]

British accent makes me feel better than everyone

[@reynabdelazim6423]

it feels fancy, u feel me?

[@TheLyricsGuy]

Right? I’m going to start talking to people at work like this so they’ll respect me more.

[@woozihae]

Right? It's damn elegant

[@woozihae]

@@pepsifrog420 actually?

[@woozihae]

@@pepsifrog420 bro I don't know? LOL us, uk don't know

[@Zach2003]

Watching this as a German person to get rid of my German accent when speaking English

[@greenfilly]

Go for the american accent bud. You'll go further in life.

[@Zach2003]

@@greenfilly yeah, I might, but I can do both, and I like the English accent a bit better, don't know

[@siriuslykookie4835]

doesn’t matter if u choose british or american accent, one won’t necessarily get u further than the other because if u understand one u understand the other (if you’re fluent)

[@drageekeksi]

Same hahah

[@noemisandner3102]

I'm german too! I naturally do an american accent (thank god I don't have a german one) but I really want to nail the british one, because for me it sounds more... individual if it makes sense? Also it sounds way better, in my opinion.

[@macaroniooo352]

That random zoom on his face is SENDING ME

[@aleksandrarychlik2830]

I WAS LOOKING FOR A COMMENT LIKE THIS

[@POtato-uh7xh]

That part felt like a meme 😩

[@henloworld514]

trying to learn so I can go to hogwarts

[@dianacastellanos182]

SAME LMAO IMA SHIFT 😌✌🏼️

[@Freddiemercuri]

@@dianacastellanos182 LITERALLY

[@illusion9358]

NO WAY SAME! I just saw something about them doing a series so just on case they need some actors, ima get the accent down. And for shifting 😉

[@valeriamorales9412]

OMG YESSSSSS

[@ivana-hl9ht]

BAHAHAH SAME

[@priscilla3215]

I just want to read my Harry Potter books in a British accent😔

[@aestheticswithsunny4311]

SAME I’m reading the series again but I don’t think I Spain’s British

[@dafnigalani2889]

OMG I found my kindred spirit....

[@speks.shortcut]

@@aestheticswithsunny4311 d r a c o - (amazing pfp)

[@innabelcijan478]

omg lol im here for the same thing

[@Idolbottle]

Just remember to be satisfied

[@gutt3rg1rl.cl0wn]

I have a british accent, but it weirdly branches off into my scottish/irish accent

[@andrewtucker94]

Scotland and Northern Ireland are in Britain.

[@therandomchicken6517]

Andrew Tucker all of Ireland is British because it's part of the British isles

[@novakaneomega]

like Peter Baelish

[@JorgeArchundialml]

I'm mexican and I have a bit of a British accent but it also branches off into my American accent, lol

[@chipolosan]

I love Irish accent😖😍

[@swijbrandi]

i love this guy

[@jlove7723]

me too!!!

[@mysticalcatnip221]

he is really great!!!

[@Neuroneos]

I love pizza

[@zweij]

@@shio9517 *because!

[@orangutansoda]

Who's British and just watching this for fun lol

[@garrangery8180]

fuck, I've been discovered

[@aspiretospidey]

Me too.

[@bruhhrb7062]

Yeah.

[@superfluous9726]

Oh. Fuck.

[@eryng515]

Heaven 11 - American 💯

[@stringpuppetmaestro2804]

I want to play charismatic villain roles. A British accent is key for villain roles, because the best villains always have British accents for some reason.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Well, playing any role needs truth, not just the right accent, or it will just look amateur, so if you're a professional actor and want help you could come to me for coaching, or go to somebody else, but the accent is not key, I promise you, not unless you know how to act. I rarely see messages here, and am better contacted IF you need to do so, with the "Contact' page on my website www.windsor-Cunningham.com but all I'm saying is that you should try things out with a friend, director or coach, and without my meaning to sound rude, get the truth of the role, as an accent can be got by an amateur, and serious job needs study. Best wishes, JOhn

[@stringpuppetmaestro2804]

I'm only a novice actor with minimal coaching and experience but I'm willing to learn. I ultimately want to break into NYC puppetry theater and acting is an indispensable skill for that sort of thing. I have trained under Sofia Baltar for acting at Bornstar Studios in NYC and I learned the basics of direct manipulation puppetry from Kevin Augustine at Lonewolf Tribe in Brooklyn but I am looking for more. I like your videos on "natural acting" and "accepting that this is the case." It's something I used to do when I was younger without realizing it (mostly to get out of trouble or just to see if I can convince people of what I was pretending to be in order to satisfy my curiosity... I literally got jobs where I had no idea what I was doing by being so convincing and found myself actually figuring out how to work those jobs as I went along because of how well I convinced myself, getting by because I convincingly asked for accommodations as if I could do those jobs if that's all I had. I stopped doing this and blocked it out of my mind because I started doing it all of the time and it seemed like I was losing my identity and just being this void that can impersonate anything), but in my older years I want to reconnect with it and that's mostly what I'm looking for. However, this time I'll put it back in its box and take it out only when I need it.

[@sosogang8147]

Watch killing eve ‼️‼️

[@NickDuggan]

This is awesome. I'm not an actor just curious, and not only did I learn a lot, I got great laughs from the phone and doorbell interruptions :)

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Very kind, thanks! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@reidhind5877]

I died his humour is the best, I can't stop laughing !!!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're very kind. If you want to see my so-called 'humour' you might try my other website MadEnglishman.com and just look at Video number '7'. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@downthispath6538]

@@NewYorkActingCoach I just checked out the website and you're hilarious! Have you considered starting a podcast? You can teach your methods there! I would definitely subscribe!

[@uhok8445]

I can’t wait to prank call my family with a British accent 😌

[@Denabella]

I hope this works for me. I got an audition for a part in an Audio Doctor Who drama.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome to ask about one or two words if you want (no charge) through the 'Contact' page on the website, Windsor-Cunningham.com, or of course to do a session on Skype. Break a leg. (The trick for an audition may be to make your Britishness 'stand out'! OR tell them I could be hired as coach for the whole series. John

[@Denabella]

It's a non liscenced thing. something that's going to go on youtube. And Thank you. I'm trying to do a slightly Scottish or slightly Cockney.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Denabella Much better to contact me through the 'Contact' page on my website, please. Sounds like anything you feel is right will be right, and if in doubt a rough Cockney is usually easier to get away with than Scottish. Best wishes, John

[@Denabella]

Thank you, sir.

[@27danjel]

How was the audition? :)

[@vmprie]

i'm coming back to school as a british

[@Ava-yf8mb]

why does it feel like he can hear me

[@sensorcato]

Because he can.

[@psalms8.3-4.alexandra]

@@sensorcato i am now terrified

[@dgtzmusic9352]

Ikr

[@McCord.Pierce]

You had me at the edge of my seat! That buildup was out of this world!! I wanted to know the secret to feeling British so badly! 🤣 Not only that, I feel like I just earned a masters degree in Modern History of the Western World in 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Thank you for making this series!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Well, you're incredibly kind. Best wishes back to you. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@SevenMileAgenda]

Interesting video, lovely sarcasm.

[@Seanbo88]

Thumbnail looks like he's giving a gritty, passionate political speech

[@chocotoasties2671]

I can do a Sebastian Michaelis impersonation, but it wasn't complete cause I couldn't do a British accent to save my life. I watched this video, did it awesomely and two words: MIND BLOWN.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks! Glad to be of service. I was thinking of helping someone from North-East China to play King Lear, but am willing to settle for my success with you. Windsor-Cunningham.com

[@heroforthewin1500]

Black Butler. Yesh ^.^

[@chocotoasties2671]

Nepeta Leijon Yes.

[@yunapeckett2404]

I'm 50% British, and I can already do a fairly good British accent, but I want to improve it!

[@rafael709]

well done. I really enjoyed the general psychological undertone of the British man.

[@dinahtabbah1990]

I’ve happily spent the past three hours training with you and I’m quite thrilled with the progress I’ve made with your system. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. I can’t wait to workshop my new and improved British accent in my voice acting class on Saturday. Cheers!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Remember that it's what you are saying that count. Nobody is impressed by my New England accent, they just assume I'm from New England, and so what, so are 10 million other people and nobody admires them for their accent - what counts is if they are clear about what they are saying and if speak with some truth. Every one of those 10 million N.E.'s makes some strange sound in their accent sometimes, and nobody is upset by it, what matters (and what nails voice-over jobs) is truth. Sorry, I guess you know that, but maybe worth saying. Best wishes for your classes, John Windsor-Cunningham

[@pyxieradcliff9305]

I love this! I used this for several years with my AP Literature students prior to reading Shakespeare as a fun lead in and a way for them to engage in the content in an out of the box way. Even watching it twice in the, I enjoyed myself, and all the students loved every minute. Thank you!

[@ikertxikuri]

Thank you very much John! This was a fantastic tutorial, and a really helpful one. Cheers

[@kaevha]

Thank you so much for this video! I am American, and I have been trying to learn a British accent for a while. This really helped me! This video helped me more then any other video, Ben though it was only 3 minutes long. I just want to thank you so much!

[@lavayuki]

I have an Irish accent but I love the British one. When I try to do it, I usually get caught out in a few words like "either", "neither" and words with a strong T and R sound.

[@moistpairo]

Notto Mention because Ireland is not British, only northern Ireland is british.

[@lavayuki]

I didn't mention anything about Ireland being a part of the UK, so I don't know what you're trying to convey. I was simply talking about accents, and no the Republic of Ireland where I'm from is not part of Great Britain.

[@fangs2610]

I have to portray a British accent for a play and I'm having the same problem XD I keep getting caught out on "three" and "either. Pretty much any word with a strong T or R sound.

[@therandomchicken6517]

Irish is British isn’t it? Since they’re both in the British isles?

[@CorkShakespeare]

Thank you very much for these series of videos. They are excellent and I use them regularly when preparing for a role.

[@kathleenloucks9012]

John Windsor-Cunningham...you are an excellent teacher!

[@julieoakman761]

singing mumford and sons for 5 years straight helps. Drop the R. love this selection of videos. thank you

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome! Thanks. John (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)

[@anrylstudios]

You, my good man, are a blessing to me. Thank you.

[@matthewweng8483]

Thank you for your whole series... This series especially.

[@Wakeywakeycornflakey]

Thank you for making these! I don't act, but I play and dm for d&d and this is helping me create a larger array of different voices for any new characters I need to play or improv into existence

[@kaylasheppard7746]

Exactly why I'm here, lol

[@nonsensemancer]

Very informative and entertaining. I can half do a few accents other than my normal California non-accent so this is helping quite a bit to flesh out the British one.

[@brittnicoletv7431]

Thank you soooo much for putting this up! I have my first role and it's a British accent. Since I cannot afford acting classes right now, this is how I am learning haha. This is great and very educational.

[@randomperson9876]

Hey how is the movie /show called

[@dreamsoffalling1668]

Thank you so much! I need to practice an accent for an Improv group, and this helped so much!

[@vanessakabunda3241]

Thanks si(r) John for the videos I am trying to get a British accent and the videos are major helps to me.

[@mackenziecochran]

This guy helped me learn my British accent for Jane in Mary Poppins!

[@imogencarney3421]

missed out pink floyd and the beatles from the list lad, dont forget the greatest

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

I was really talking about British bands who are often thought in the USA to be American, and I dont think those two fit, and anyway only two of the Beatles had the kind of talent I'm interested in. But it would be rude to say more about that!. Talent is individual, that's all. . John Windsor-Cunningham

[@imogencarney3421]

@@NewYorkActingCoach I was wondering, do you do dialect coaching on only the southern middle class british accent or extend your reach to the north of england much? I ask only because i hail from Newcastle and often find that 'british accent' is a blanket term that supposedly covers 'Britain' but the actual accent is prominently southern.

[@aikoayaka264]

OMG this is really convincing, I feel like am listening to Anthony Hopkins, his accent and a bit of his voice tone I still have a lot to do to master this accent, but Very Thanks for your amazing tutorials (Y)

[@suzetridesanandalusian8529]

Thank you for this! I am not an actress, but admire the speech patterns of most Brits and would love to duplicate it. I'm sure this will give me the chance, so again, thank you for your time and effort!!

[@cipherbloom]

There's been this not entirely intangible quality to 'The British Way' (of speaking... talking, being), and I think you're really helping me gradually assimilate and process what this thing might be. At least as far as I might be able to perform it! Thanks a million for your instruction and YOU. 👍

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

In the end what matters and what an audience notices is how much sense you make of your lines, far less than the accent, so do remember that's what counts. And if you want specific help I coach on skype but sounds like you may not need it! John (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)

[@englishwithanerudite]

Thank you, Sir! I love your intelligence and dry sense of humour!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

If you want to see a slight 'lack' of intelligence, and a sense of humour which is not exactly dry, you might give 2 minutes of your time to my other website MadEnglishman.com (which is to be an off-Broadway show in October). But don't waste more than 2 minutes! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@englishwithanerudite]

@@NewYorkActingCoach Thank you, I shall definitely do that!

[@deliusmyth5063]

"When Mick Jagger sang 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction' he was joking." Haha, very good!

[@biologybelievers5831]

You gives us that much important information just without any selfish motives ,thank you soo much ,god bless you 😇😇😇

[@AlucardC99]

Thank you :) in auditioning for an SNL skit and really needed this.

[@shemitch]

This helps a lot, thsnk you so much!

[@rollerq3334]

Thank you so much for this series! I'm trying to learn many accents to get a good start in voice acting!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

With voice-acting the trick is to spend time on doing what is natural to you, speaking your own accent, and doing it clearly and with variety and friendliness. Accents are not so important as there are a thousand British actors getting most of the British voice-work here. But there are exceptions, so maybe try anything, but the main thing is to study your lines so that you're saying them as if you had written them . John Windsor-Cunningham

[@edriangaming2452]

i've learned a lot about this video and it helps a lot thanks for teaching!!!!!

[@henryandersson2479]

Thank you kindly for taking your time to create these tutorials! Keep up the good work! =) Cheers from Sweden! =D

[@awesomeatomicapple4535]

I got my American friend to say example by x arm pull

[@rachelt816]

As an American, your personification of the British people really helped to put things into perspective. In particular, I'm intrigued to hear more about the parallels you make between the "British persona" and those of Americans from southern states.

[@dwigt8751]

Thank you soooooo much! I am performing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so this has helped me soooooo much!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome. Sounds as if you're going to have fun, which is the point really ( ! ) John (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)

[@jodejette]

Brilliant take on the SOUTHERN US and CALIFORNIA not wanting change. Astute.

[@zweij]

I studie English at the uni and despite my knowledge of the words, I still lack the truly "British way" of speaking. Now you motivated me to work on it! Thank you. By the way, you sound ideal. It's a pleasure.

[@mermaidmersea7113]

I love, love, love that you have our flags together ! Such a symbolic gesture of friendship !

[@ceciliamazza8024]

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOHN FOR THIS TUTORIAL!!!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for kind words. I'm planning to make a better video of this, but madly busy for a while, so the only thing I can think of adding, which helps an accent to sound smooth and natural is in another KZbin video which you might find if you search for VOICE COACH and my name, or maybe this link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpfZh6JjjbFnaLc Anyway best wishes, John

[@rowdy3837]

This guy is awesome!

[@MarzenaBukowska]

Thank you so much - your videos are terrific ; very helpful !

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome. And you can always ask questions about anything to do with this on the 'contact' page on my website www.windsor-cunningham.com

[@reutbarak6805]

Thank you so much! Wish I was an actor but I'm not😂 it's nice to learn new things once in a while. Glad this was on my recommended page

[@andrewbilter7262]

got a part in my play as a british person really excited for it thanks for the help

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome. If you need a session of coaching - which you sound as if you dont - ! - then dont contact me here but though the website (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com) Best wishes, JOhn

[@ellenjewkes930]

I love this guy!

[@wowzers353]

His voice calms me

[@D71219ONE]

This man might be my favorite person.

[@offtankgaming1310]

So happy the first band you mentioned was Dire Straits - coming from an American, they’re my all time favorites! Cheers, and thank you for the videos.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks for kind words. And yes, Dire Straits were (are) extraordinary, SULTANS OF SWNG was nearly 50 years ago and sounds even better now! Always a great sign when actors, singers and athletes who just want to good work are managing to have fun as well. John

[@RenzoM2811]

Im german, and it still works!

[@randomperson9876]

Hallo

[@Emile.gorgonZola]

this is amazing thanks!!!

[@andromeda7147]

Thank you for the accent videos, and I have to say, you are awesome and very funny!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thanks very much indeed.

[@ntolleytrue]

I wish I could learn more about talking in a British accent, this video helped me so much thank you very much,ntolleytrue

[@ven.lamanamgyal5269]

VERY Kind of You Sir: ....Thank you for your thoughtful and experienced Service! //Namgyal Lama

[@drimage1able]

Excellent set of resources, sir. As I am poised to start filming on a Doctor Who fan series, and I am an American actor (part, Welsh, at least) from Cleveland, Ohio, I can use all the help I can get! Regardless, I intend to make it as best a tribute I can, without making it a ghastly caricature. :)

[@mecha-kicksmetro7655]

Thank you so much for this! I have to be Mary Shelley for an entire day in a few weeks and I really needed a way to nail the accent

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Ah, you're welcome. I remember years ago, we used to do that in London, actors would get paid to be Shakespeare or Elizabeth1, or some-such for a day, in the streets and at some library. Quite fun, and quite well-paid! I do private coaching if you ever need specific help, but you probably don't! John www.Windsor-Cunningham.com

[@salomejung8456]

I really liked your video! I'm German but I really wanted to learn the British accent and you helped me a lot to start it:) thank you!

[@salomejung8456]

*all of your videos I mean;)

[@angelinaludena8114]

Thanks a bunch for the video. It was a great help c:

[@beyou3344]

Please make more videos this is so helpful💃

[@scy426]

Thanks for you teaching, sir!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

You're welcome. Specific help if needed - available in person on skype and in New York. - John

[@ellefromm]

Thank you so much! I have an audition for Alice in Wonderland and this was so helpful! :)

[@kristianacruz1037]

ME TOO! I'm auditioning for Alice in Wonderland next week!

[@yourownmother9604]

Bit of an old comment, but how did it go? I'm curious owo

[@dianacastellanos182]

your own mother same

[@erikumland5962]

Spot on suggestion for satisfied for a British mindset.

[@Justinealbree]

Thank you. I laughed out loud.

[@BantiarnaMacRaghnaill]

I haven't even viewed film 2 yet, but this was brilliant and amusing. Moving on....

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Well. Thanks! If you want "amusement" there are some much madder ones, but if you just want them about 'acting' then they are all at Windsor-Cunningham.com Best wishes, John

[@mojojojo3411]

The editing on these videos is my favourite.

[@hmanthe6th155]

Thank you!

[@audreywellbaum4705]

I need to learn this because I am trying out for Jane Banks in Mary Poppins

[@Halopedian]

It's so funny that you say satisfaction. In an interview, Christopher Hitchens mentioned that he didn't necessarily want happiness so much as satisfaction. Excellent description

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Yes, dear old Hitchens got lots of things right. Thanks for the thought. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@kaila62kaila]

Didn't expect the "satisfaction" speech...Interesting!

[@chipolosan]

I really love his videos

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thank you! John Windsor-Cunningham

[@TheFirstone99]

This man is great!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Very kind, thank you!

[@galaxycaptain672]

Initially I thought why is he spending time going over British attitudes? However, I kept watching and agree it does give you a metal "foundation" of how to present yourself and accent. Thank you.

[@kberg412]

Your awesome. Watched others which just confused me. Your great!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Very kind. Thanks. JOhn (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)

[@probablyhunter7469]

I'm American, and just got into Mary Poppins! This helps so much!! Thank you!!!

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Just make sense of the lines and the audience won't worry about the accent much anyway. THAT is the main thing. Make sure the lines are truthful and real, the hell with the accent's details. John Windsor-Cunningham

[@probablyhunter7469]

@@NewYorkActingCoach thanks for the advice!

[@RegularRegs]

the word "lure" helped me get a British line down.. still working on it

[@sabrinabobis8520]

This video is really awesome! I feel British now :)

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Thank you! More free details if you want them at Windsor-Cunningham.com Best wishes, John

[@virginialeejones1834]

This guy is hysterical!!! Love it! Love him!

[@novastar136]

Again you are so adorable!!

[@c6020c]

Bloody cool man

[@jasmineb0022]

i am not an actress but I would love to pick up an british accent!! My friends say I do one well, but I want to an amazing accent. (Watching Dan Howell and Phil Lester + being a 1D fan has helped a bit since I hear them talk a lot!)

[@colderthansnow799]

1D yes!

[@matthewweng8483]

It would be fantastic if you could pass on your skills on doing a Welsh accident and/or an Irish accent. I know there are tons of those online, but I'm honestly interested in your particular thoughts as an actor and your overall insight, which I respect very much.

[@BrazilianDaftPunkFan]

This is how i love and tolerate

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

Wow, it's awesome to find out how all of us dialect learners can speak like our British friends. Stay safe everyone!