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| Glen Koenig/Los Angeles Times |
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| Glen Koenig/Los Angeles Times |
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Acting Coaching
JB received a 3-year Stanislavski-based training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. With over 20 years' experience as an actor, director and teacher working in all aspects of the business in the UK, the US and around the world, JB has a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to acting and audition coaching, based on techniques he has accumulated throughout his 25-year career. It is his sincere belief that the process of acting should not be over-complicated; that it is in asking oneself the right questions that truth is acheived. Much of his work with clients entails 'stripping away the green', ridding a performer of unnecessary bad habits and 'ticks', marrying good technique with an actor's natural strengths to help create a smarter, more efficient, better prepared performer. It is also his belief that an acting class should not be about the teacher's ego...this is a collaborative effort between teacher and client, with the joint ambition of creating more work opportunities for the actor.
Classes are generally conducted one-on-one, or in pairs if you have someone you are working with. JB also does guest workshops at a number of classes in the Los Angeles area.
Dialects, Accents and Accent Reduction
JB trained in Acting, Speech, Voice and Dialect at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England and has been helping actors all over the world ever since. With 20 years of professional experience behind him, working as an actor in all aspects of the business, clients can have confidence in the quality of expertise they are receiving. Each client will be allotted the right amount of one-on-one time and attention and will leave with confidence and a CD recording of their material should they need it, along with any 'danger sounds' or pitfalls that may need additional work. Sessions can be conducted in person, over the phone, even online.
"An accent isn't just about sounding right, or putting on a funny voice," Blanc insists, "It's about helping you to inhabit a character in the fullest sense. It involves rhythm, physicality and sound local knowledge. It's about environment, habitat and history."
"I'm not a big believer in actors working with endless sheets of phonetics; there are coaches who hand actors a file of notes and mouth-shapes and say, 'Call me in a week.' That's not me - I think it confuses them, something I really understand as an actor myself. I'm much more interested in training the actor's ear, making them responsible physically and emotionally for the sound they produce. It's much more empowering and achieves much more long-lasting results."
JB breaks down each accent he tackles physically and phonetically and his excellent ear will help you achieve the accent you're looking for. Whether you need to be a Texan for NCIS tomorrow or Middle Eastern for House next Monday, JB can and will help you get there - no matter what accent you need.
Voice, Speech and Public Speaking
JB works with all aspects of voice production including breathing, relaxation, annunciation and support. Whether working on classical texts or a speech to a group of executives, the techniques used are the same and the aim is clear. Linking breath and voice to intention and emotion is the principal way to get your message across.
But it's also about staying on top of your vocal technique. "I've had clients come to me, voice professionals, who are suddenly being told that their plosives are too explosive or their consonants are too lazy - sometimes after many years in the business," says Blanc, "It happens to many of us and we simply have to go back to the basics - we all get lazy at times and sometimes you just need to be reminded where the roots of vocal production and technique are."
Whether you're an industry professional, a newcomer just starting out, or a business executive needing help for that all-important presentation, contact JB and he will equip you with the confidence and technique you need.
For rates and availability please email JB personally at jb@jbblanc.com
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