Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Is mimicing legal?

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Cogsworth
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Topic: Is mimicing legal?
Posted: 7/05/06 at 9:29pm

All right. I have just been cast as Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast at a local community theatre. I'm looking for opinions on accents and mimicking voices. I mean, in the movie, Beauty and the Beast, Cogsworth has a very distinct voice, and what I'm wondering is whether or not I should try and mimik it. If so, how do I go about doing it? If not, what kind of accent should I do if any, and how do I do it? I want to go into rehearsals with an idea.

As a director, what would you say? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks, Jared

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Playwright
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Posted: 7/05/06 at 11:57pm

If I were directing this I would want you to find your own distinctive voice. The problem I would have with copying another well-known character's voice is the comparisons the audience would make. Just my humble opinion.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 7/06/06 at 6:58am

I agree!
Do your own distinct voice, nearly everyone has a few pet voices, they can slip into comfortably. Which has to be more natural than mimicking a forced voice or accent.
I can?t remember the character, but as the show has been played through out the world. Each of the actors would have used their own nurtured voice in taking on their own character, rather than copy those who have gone before.
With the Directors help formulate the voice that is you & unique. To help simulate the make up &/or costume in front of the mirror at home & try them out on your self. You will be surprised how easy the voice or accent will come to you & assist in forming the character!
Thus eliminating any chance of comparison with the original!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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POB14
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Posted: 7/06/06 at 9:32am

Congratulations!

I agree with the above advice. However, be forewarned:

A number - okay, a fairly large number - of years ago, I played Walter in a stage version of the TV show Maude. (You kids think you got edgy shows? Well, Maude had an ABORTION! And this was a year before Roe.) My director and I made very sure I was not copying Bill Macy (for you young 'uns, that ain't the same guy as William H. Macy!) -- in point of fact, I was using John Astin (do I need to introduce him too? God, I feel old!) for inspiration.

So anyway, all went well, and after one of the performances, two lovely ladies of a certain age came up to me and complemented me on my performance.

"It's amazing! You sounded just like the man from the show!"

And they didn't mean Conrad Bain. (Oh, never mind.)

"Uncompromisin' enterprisin' anything but tranquilizin' Right On Maude!"

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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B-M-D
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Posted: 7/06/06 at 1:42pm

Mimicking is legal but not often advisable. I concur with everyone else on this topic: find your own voice for this character.

While it's very tempting to copy the original nothing can take the place of getting the applause because of what you created. Some characters are more difficult than others such as Oscar from The Odd Couple where you hear Walter Matheau in every line and who will be able to resist doing Nathan Lane once The Producers becomes available in about a hundred years. But believe me the payoff is so much better if it's your own.

Break a leg!

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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k8tt
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Joined: 4/05/05
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Posted: 7/06/06 at 3:27pm

Congrats on your role. But I agree with everyone else as far as mimicking Disney's Cogsworth. Our local High School put on Aladdin and the girl playing the Genie patterned her character after Robin Williams' Genie in the Disney movie. She did the same jokes, same inflections, etc. Fell VERY flat and all we could think about was how much funnier the movie was with Robin Williams.

We also wondered why the director/drama teacher let some of the kids take their characters from the movie instead of developing them. Seemed rather lazy.

And, of course, this made the boy playing Jafar (the bad guy) stand out as a wonderful actor since he made that character his own.

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theactordavid
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Joined: 5/29/06
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Posted: 7/06/06 at 4:29pm

First, let me say that the director should have some input here. This isn't necessarily something you want to go putting a lot of time into on your own, and come rehearsal the Director says "What is that!" He or she very surely ought to be part of the process.

Second, if the audience wanted to see and hear the movie, they'd go to Video Land and rent it. They really want to see new faces and hear new voices. There is an old saying: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But in theater, you want to be your best, not someone else.

Third, POB I would have paid a week's salary to see you in Maude. LOL

There are no small roles, only roles with a low line-load and minimal stage time.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

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POB14
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Posted: 7/10/06 at 9:19am

Originally posted by theactordavid

Third, POB I would have paid a week's salary to see you in Maude. LOL

Okay, but remember, I played Walter, not Maude. Now if I had played Maude, THAT would have been a hot ticket!

What is your week's salary, anyway? If it's a lot, I'll just come to your house and tell your wife/mother/cat to shut up while they insult me, and you'll have had the experience!

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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Topic: Is mimicing legal?( Topic Closed)