Voice Coaching for Film, TV, & Theatre

How A Vocal Coach Can Improve Your Film, TV, & Theatre Career

A dialect or dialogue coach can be of great assistance to an actor in coaching an accent that is required and helping to design the voice and manner used for a particular character including their class and status all of which adds credibility and consistency to the screen performance. A coach can help with intelligibility whilst maintaining subtly.

A coach also can help run lines and instill greater confidence. I recently worked with two actors on the film ‘The Bible’ : Diogo Morgado who played ‘Jesus’ and Roma Downey ‘Mary’ helping them to find a more neutral/ RP version of their voices to blend in with the other actors accents thereby giving a sense that these characters came from a similar place.

A voice coach can also help when an actor needs to represent a true life character on screen recently the actor Daniel Day Lewis was quoted as saying that it was the creation of the voice of Abraham Lincoln, in the film of his life ‘Lincoln’, that enabled him to ‘find’ his character.

Having worked with an actor who needed to impersonate the comedian Frankie Howard I researched TV and film recordings to find the sound and mannerisms needed to make his portrayal believable.

ADR

ADR – is post-production studio work that can help the actor correct or clarify dialogue that may have been contaminated with unnecessary noise Iike an airplane/motor engine or rain machine motor in an epic period piece or gaining greater intelligibility on the soundtrack after the filming has wrapped. I recently completed post-production ADR work at the Hackenbacker studios in London’s Soho area on the American epic mini-series based on and titled ‘The Bible.
DEP – Discreet Ear Prompting a method used to directly feed the actor/presenter with dialogue or information in ‘Live’ performance.

*Dee at the Hackenbacker Studios, Soho, London – on ‘The Bible’, USA TV series (13 million viewers).

View My Full CV

Voice coaching for Film, TV & Theatre.

I’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions clients often have about voice coaching. For anything else please call 07957 211065 or email me at contact@yourvoicecoach.co.uk

Questions answers

Who have you worked with?

I have had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the business and have been lucky enough to have played at top venues regionally and in London’s West End theatres Over the years i’ve been involved in many well known shows and films such as Chess, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, The Rocky Horror Show, The Class of Miss MacMichael, Les Miserables, Merrily We Roll Along, House Of Obsession, As You Like It, A Lover And His Lass, Fears and Miseries of The Third Reich. People that I’ve worked with include Stockard Channing, Azure Skye, Matthew Goode, Sean Brosnan, Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Jonathan Pryce, Elaine Paige, Trevor Nunn, Stephen Sondheim, Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, Cameron Mackintosh/The RSC, West Yorkshire Play House, Birmingham Rep, Babel Theatre Co and Jericho Productions to name but a few.

Is voice coaching only available in London & Brighton?

Voice coaching can take place at a location of your choice for a negotiable fee, so is not limited to London and Brighton.

Do you voice coach via Skype?

Yes, Skype voice coaching can be arranged.

My Top Voice Tips

Water is essential for the body and the vocal folds, it should be room temperature and definitely not ice cold. Recommended Intake for women is 1.5litres/ men 2 litres. If physically exerting yourself then increase this.

If your voice is tired the most effective remedy is “rest it completely” which includes talking on the phone.

Soothing a tired voice – Warm water with Honey (preferably Manuka), lemon and fresh ginger slices.

Steaming your voice either with with a bowl of hot water (no added oils etc) and a towel over your head and the bowl and breath in the steam. If necessary invest in a professional steamer for the voice (available on line)

Recent Work

Ella Balinska Charlies Angel Reboot – Kristen Stewart. I had the pleasure of working with Ella ahead of her new role in Charlie’s Angels reboot later this year.

Read more

The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson – Another great opportunity and pleasure to work with some of the cast/actors ahead of their new play ‘The last temptation of Boris Johnson’.

(May until June) – Read more

Chichester University student musical: Lucky Stiff – I’m currently coaching for the Chichester University student musical, called Lucky Stiff. They need English, New York, General American, and European accents.

(May 19)

I am very pleased to congratulate ‘Fejiro Emasiobi’ one of my recently graduating students from GSA who has joined the cast of All About Eve.

(May 19) – Read more

Just finished working on two plays at GSA -‘ Boudica’, Directed by Trevor Rawlins and ‘Table’, Dir by Grainne Byrne – which required approx 10 English and European accents.

(Mar 19) – Read more

Hershey’s – I had a great time working with a group of English actors who required a General American accent for a new Hersheys commercial for USA TV.

(Apr 19)

Bud Light

(Jan 19)

Gallery

Hamlet – Mountview

PL-CREAT-62

voice-coaching-for-actors

Testimonials

Dee is an amazing person who creates a safe environment during lessons and takes time to get to know her student. Her step-by-step approach helps you not feeling overwhelmed or stressed. I learned a lot about the English language and it’s pronunciation, and the exercises are not only for the acting profession. I loved working with Dee and will hopefully continue taking lessons with her in the future. I strongly recommend Dee to everyone who’s looking for a wonderful and experienced voice coach.

Annie Ullrich – Actress

I got in touch with Dee as I wanted to improve my public speaking for various engagements including speaking to large audiences. In less than 3 months the focus on not only pitch and tone, but also breathing and delivery improved my public speaking dramatically and I continue to do the exercises we worked on together over a year later with success.

James Oakley – Media/Marketing

Thank you for providing me with this wonderful experience… it has been challenging, demanding, thorough, enjoyable and truly invaluable – your support, expertise, inspiration, such enthusiasm, and commitment – it’s been amazing.

Jackie Knowies – PGMA Student

Dear Dee,
Thank you so much!
Well! We did really well I think. The accents were a massive part of it and I thought they got to a very good place. They were absorbed into the piece – which is the best compliment I think.
Their second night, seen by Dom Rouse, Jaq Bessel and Trevor Rawlins, was stupendous – the best they did. I was delighted.
So, it was great working with you Dee I hope we get to do it again.
Have a lovely Easter

GX, Gráinne Byrne

Thank you for all the training you have given me. It has made me clearer, more confident and able to breathe!

Laura Crowhurst – BA student

Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Dee Forrest as a voice and accent coach and a director’s assistant. I have worked with Dee on four plays that I was directing at GSA.
She provided the highest standard of professional support for me as the director. Her work with my actors massively improved their performances. With each production, she delivered what was necessary for each specific project and also for each actor. All of them received clear and precise notes and, if needed, areas to work on to improve their accent or vocal use. The actors clearly respected her expertise and style of coaching which clearly fed greatly into all their performances. What I really appreciate is her way of co-operating with a director, she is happy to input possible ideas and thoughts about the accent or voice work, where requested, and follow a director’s needs at the same time, she contributes to the rehearsal process with great dignity, professionalism, and humour. Working with Dee Forrest is also a great pleasure.

Katarzyna Deszcz
Theatre director/Poland

Dee really helped me transfer my skills as a graduating Barrister to a fully fledged Barrister in the London Crown courts of the Old Bailey and Snaresbrook. After a Judge had mentioned my need for some help vocally I found Dee who she helped me enormously with my depth of tone, gravitas, and vocal and physical command when addressing the Judges and Jury. Dee also worked on my clarity and style of delivery and this all increased my confidence to such an extent the Judge, who had advised me to seek help, congratulated me on my transformation. I would not hesitate to recommend her to colleagues and others needing vocal coaching.

Ruby Wang – Barrister

How A Vocal Coach Can Improve Your Film, TV, & Theatre Career

Are you looking to improve your career in Film?

Do you aspire to be the next big TV star?

Do you want to stand out in the Theatre?

ADR

ADR – is post-production studio work that can help the actor correct or clarify dialogue that may have been contaminated with unnecessary noise Iike an airplane/motor engine or rain machine motor in an epic period piece or gaining greater intelligibility on the soundtrack after the filming has wrapped. I recently completed post-production ADR work at the Hackenbacker studios in London’s Soho area on the American epic mini-series based on and titled ‘The Bible.
DEP – Discreet Ear Prompting a method used to directly feed the actor/presenter with dialogue or information in ‘Live’ performance.

*Dee at the Hackenbacker Studios, Soho, London - on ‘The Bible’, USA TV series (13 million viewers).

Voice coaching for Film, TV & Theatre. Questions answered

I've put together answers to some of the most common questions clients often have about voice coaching. For anything else please call 07957 211065 or email me at contact@yourvoicecoach.co.uk

Who have you worked with?

I have had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the business and have been lucky enough to have played at top venues regionally and in London’s West End theatres Over the years i've been involved in many well known shows and films such as Chess, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, The Rocky Horror Show, The Class of Miss MacMichael, Les Miserables, Merrily We Roll Along, House Of Obsession, As You Like It, A Lover And His Lass, Fears and Miseries of The Third Reich. People that I've worked with include Stockard Channing, Azure Skye, Matthew Goode, Sean Brosnan, Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Jonathan Pryce, Elaine Paige, Trevor Nunn, Stephen Sondheim, Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, Cameron Mackintosh/The RSC, West Yorkshire Play House, Birmingham Rep, Babel Theatre Co and Jericho Productions to name but a few.

Is voice coaching only available in London & Brighton?

Voice coaching can take place at a location of your choice for a negotiable fee, so is not limited to London and Brighton.

Do you voice coach via Skype?

Yes, Skype voice coaching can be arranged.

My Top Voice Tips

Soothing a tired voice – Warm water with Honey (preferably Manuka), lemon and fresh ginger slices.

Steaming your voice either with with a bowl of hot water (no added oils etc) and a towel over your head and the bowl and breath in the steam. If necessary invest in a professional steamer for the voice (available on line)

Water is essential for the body and the vocal folds, it should be room temperature and definitely not ice cold. Recommended Intake for women is 1.5litres/ men 2 litres. If physically exerting yourself then increase this.

If your voice is tired the most effective remedy is “rest it completely” which includes talking on the phone.

Recent Work

Ella Balinska Charlies Angel Reboot – Kristen Stewart. I had the pleasure of working with Ella ahead of her new role in Charlie’s Angels reboot later this year.

Read more

The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson – Another great opportunity and pleasure to work with some of the cast/actors ahead of their new play ‘The last temptation of Boris Johnson’.

(May until June) – Read more

Chichester University student musical: Lucky Stiff – I’m currently coaching for the Chichester University student musical, called Lucky Stiff. They need English, New York, General American, and European accents.

(May 19)

I am very pleased to congratulate ‘Fejiro Emasiobi’ one of my recently graduating students from GSA who has joined the cast of All About Eve.

(May 19) – Read more

Just finished working on two plays at GSA -‘ Boudica’, Directed by Trevor Rawlins and ‘Table’, Dir by Grainne Byrne – which required approx 10 English and European accents.

(Mar 19) – Read more

Hershey’s – I had a great time working with a group of English actors who required a General American accent for a new Hersheys commercial for USA TV.

(Apr 19)

Bud Light

(Jan 19)

Gallery

Testimonials

Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Dee Forrest as a voice and accent coach and a director’s assistant. I have worked with Dee on four plays that I was directing at GSA.
She provided the highest standard of professional support for me as the director. Her work with my actors massively improved their performances. With each production, she delivered what was necessary for each specific project and also for each actor. All of them received clear and precise notes and, if needed, areas to work on to improve their accent or vocal use. The actors clearly respected her expertise and style of coaching which clearly fed greatly into all their performances. What I really appreciate is her way of co-operating with a director, she is happy to input possible ideas and thoughts about the accent or voice work, where requested, and follow a director’s needs at the same time, she contributes to the rehearsal process with great dignity, professionalism, and humour. Working with Dee Forrest is also a great pleasure.

Katarzyna Deszcz
Theatre director/Poland

Dear Dee,
Thank you so much!
Well! We did really well I think. The accents were a massive part of it and I thought they got to a very good place. They were absorbed into the piece – which is the best compliment I think.
Their second night, seen by Dom Rouse, Jaq Bessel and Trevor Rawlins, was stupendous – the best they did. I was delighted.
So, it was great working with you Dee I hope we get to do it again.
Have a lovely Easter

GX, Gráinne Byrne

Dee is an amazing person who creates a safe environment during lessons and takes time to get to know her student. Her step-by-step approach helps you not feeling overwhelmed or stressed. I learned a lot about the English language and it’s pronunciation, and the exercises are not only for the acting profession. I loved working with Dee and will hopefully continue taking lessons with her in the future. I strongly recommend Dee to everyone who’s looking for a wonderful and experienced voice coach.

Annie Ullrich – Actress

Thank you for all the training you have given me. It has made me clearer, more confident and able to breathe!

Laura Crowhurst – BA student

Dee really helped me transfer my skills as a graduating Barrister to a fully fledged Barrister in the London Crown courts of the Old Bailey and Snaresbrook. After a Judge had mentioned my need for some help vocally I found Dee who she helped me enormously with my depth of tone, gravitas, and vocal and physical command when addressing the Judges and Jury. Dee also worked on my clarity and style of delivery and this all increased my confidence to such an extent the Judge, who had advised me to seek help, congratulated me on my transformation. I would not hesitate to recommend her to colleagues and others needing vocal coaching.

Ruby Wang – Barrister

I got in touch with Dee as I wanted to improve my public speaking for various engagements including speaking to large audiences. In less than 3 months the focus on not only pitch and tone, but also breathing and delivery improved my public speaking dramatically and I continue to do the exercises we worked on together over a year later with success.

James Oakley – Media/Marketing

Thank you for providing me with this wonderful experience… it has been challenging, demanding, thorough, enjoyable and truly invaluable – your support, expertise, inspiration, such enthusiasm, and commitment – it’s been amazing.

Jackie Knowies – PGMA Student