Dialects & Accents

Are you ready to do what it takes to have the correct dialects to be successful in the Vancouver film & television industry? While your Canadian accent or that of your native tongue will certainly help you when it comes to some specific roles, but the reality is the shows that are filmed here are typically for consumption in the USA, so a standard American dialect is key. Our part time dialect and accent classes are the perfect opportunity to work with skilled dialect coaches and take your skills to the next level. It is one thing to try to develop a specific accent or dialect when the opportunity for a role arises, but a whole other level of commitment to your craft to already have these skills rehearsed and already available to you when a breakdown requires it. Enrol today to get ahead of the pack and at the top of your game.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Unlock the power of language versatility with either of our Standard American Dialect and Foreign Accents courses. In these dynamic program, students delve into the nuances of the Standard American Dialect, honing their skills to master the most widely recognized and required accent in the entertainment industry. Through rigorous training, participants develop a keen ear for pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm, ensuring authenticity in their performances and widening their range of character portrayals. Additionally, students explore the rich tapestry of foreign accents, from Scottish and Irish, to French, Australian, and beyond. Through immersive exercises and personalized feedback, participants learn to adopt these accents convincingly, adding depth and authenticity to their roles. Led by industry professionals with extensive experience in dialect coaching, our course provides a supportive environment for actors to refine their craft and expand their repertoire. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, roles, or simply seeking to enhance your acting toolkit, our Standard American Dialect and Foreign Accents courses equip you with the skills to excel on stage and screen.

Choose Your Class

Monday - Standard American Dialect with Ely Jackson - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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*Please note all classes are 3 month commitments. (12 sessions, 1 class per week, for 12 weeks) *This is an in person class

Pre-Requisite: No previous experience required.

Upcoming Classes: 2025 Dates: Monday Evenings – 7:00pm – 10:00pm with Ely Jackson

Winter – TBA
Spring – TBA
Fall – TBA

Course Summary: A hands-on, detail-oriented approach to mastering the Standard American accent whether you’re a film student, from another country and want to act in North America, a seasoned performer looking to brush up on your skills, a Canadian performer simply looking to cover your “Canadianisms” for work in American productions, a brand new actor or Voice Over artist, or you’re not in the film industry all together or just curious about trying something new! Throughout the course you will work as a class, in pairs and one-on-one with the instructor where you will receive detailed feedback on each week’s work in a specific field that, when honed, will set you apart from the competition. The course will take you through the theory behind the accent, mouth and vocal positioning, cadence, articulation, do’s and don’ts, touching on speech pathology and its role in learning accents and the fun part – putting it all into practice. The only career pathway where watching tv is your homework!

Meet Your Instructor

Ely Jackson

Ely Jackson is a Greek-Australian film & TV actor & Voice Over artist based in Vancouver, BC, where she currently resides working in various creative fields including post-production sound, scriptwriting, audiobook production, voice over instructing, FTV audition coaching & accent training.

Jackson’s versatility as a performer allows her to portray untrustworthy pirates, to smoldering heroines, to aliens from outer space, to elvish warriors, to lending her physicality in creature costumes to the horror genre. In addition to being a LEO Nominated actress for best female supporting role in the motion picture Grand Unified Theory, fan favourites of her portrayals include her role as Scottish Elven warrior Tiandrin in Netflix’s The Dragon Prince (alongside her dear friend, mentor & revered voice artists Jason Simpson) & her work as mom AND daughter AND each of their “mirror monsters” in Monster Loving Maniacs currently streaming on Apple TV. Jackson can also be seen in the recent Percy Jackson & The Olympians on Disney+ & Netflix’s hit series Altered Carbon with a 2024 debut in her beloved horror genre in The Stickman’s Hollow, starring opposite Thomas Cadrot (Scream 6, Supernatural, The Flash) & directed by the up-and-coming talent, Jack Cox.

Her impressive resume includes her work in commercial VO on campaigns such as Afterpay Australia, Coolsculpting Canada & GLADE Holidays: Barbie & The Nutcracker. Ely’s 15+ years in the film industry & its related fields, provide a deep wealth of experience which she brings to both her work & her class room, with her additional skills for the screen including sword fighting, bo staff training, kickboxing, archery, sais, horseback archery, weapons training, 7yrs of singing training & 8yrs of dance. Jackson utilises her unique vocal skills to service the specific needs of various post-production sound studios in Vancouver city, specializing in creature & alien sounds & accents, of which her repertoire includes: Scottish, Irish, assorted British, assorted American, Australian & French.

Ely has a 5-star rating on google as a Voice Over instructor & has been teaching in an academic setting for 4.5 years where she uses her decade and a half of industry experience to guide those passionate about film & television acting & Voice Over acting.

Among her achievements in the entertainment industry including her Bachelor of Communications & Arts with a Degree in Scriptwriting for Film & Television, she is also a published author, penning the first instalment of the historical fiction trilogy The Aegean Series – Snake of the Nile in 2020 for its official release in 2020 & sells her paintings, hand-woven Stefànias & gourmet sugar cookies.

Intro to basic speech pathology
The phonetics behind the sounds & words
The importance of mimicry
Exploration of how the American accent differs regionally
Dissecting American monologues
Putting it all into action!

What Students Say About Ely Jackson

Ely Jackson is a superstar as she always ensures she gives you a rich and exciting class while still being strict when she needs to be. Tough love in the greatest form, she pushes you to try harder and do better!

Jen S. VAS Actor Alumni

Ely Jackson is amazing. She’s very motivating, experienced, talented. she knows her stuff and her classes are super fun.

Ty Owen VAS Actor Alumni

Ely Jackson was one of my favourite teachers/coaches, she has such an amazing energy, and really makes you feel comfortable enough to fail. Had a blast here!

Evan Ellison VAS Actor Alumni

Thursday - Foreign Accents with Ely Jackson - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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*Please note all classes are 3 month commitments. (12 sessions, 1 class per week, for 12 weeks) *This is an in person class

Pre-Requisite: No previous experience required.

Upcoming Classes: 2025 Dates: Thursday Evenings – 7:00pm – 10:00pm with Ely Jackson

Winter – TBA
Spring – TBA
Fall – TBA

Course Summary: A course designed to cater to various levels of accent training from beginner to advanced & just wanting to flex or hone those skills. A hands-on, detail-oriented approach to understanding the fundamentals of 6 foreign accents; Australian, French, Scottish, Irish, UK & Southern US (1 new accent covered every 2 classes), as you are guided through the phonetics & basic foundations of each country’s speech patterns & vocal specifics. Whether you’re an actor, voice over artist, or you’re not in the film industry at all & just curious about trying something new and fun! Throughout the course you will work as a class, in pairs and one-on-one with the instructor where you will receive detailed feedback on each week’s work in a specific accent, mouth and vocal positioning, cadence, articulation, do’s and don’ts, touching on speech pathology and its role in learning accents and the fun part – putting it all into practice. It’s the only career pathway where watching TV is your homework!

Meet Your Instructor

Ely Jackson

Intro to basic speech pathology (specific to varied accents)
The phonetics behind the sounds & words
The importance of mimicry
Exploration of Scottish, Irish, UK, Australian & French accents
Special guest drop-ins
Putting it all into action!

What Students Say About Ely Jackson

Ill give a worthy shout out to Ely Jackson – seriously has a talent for bringing the best out in people. She was so encouraging and I was so happy with the stuff I created in her class! Such a kind person who evidently pours herself into her work

Ariana Widen VAS Actor Alumni

A big big big shoutout to my teacher Ely Jackson. She’s one of the best teachers at the school, and she really cares for each and every one of her students. I would highly recommend taking lessons from her.

Saya Bingert VAS Actor Alumni

Ely is an extremely caring and knowledgeable teacher that brings a positive and welcoming environment into the class. She is patient and honest, and isn’t afraid to help out wherever is needed. Her teaching was definitely one of the highlights of my time at VAS.

Shane Meeks VAS Actor Alumni

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