Hi, I'm Jennifer
"STATELESS": Co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett
Here is the list of AACTA winners: * Best Telefeature or Mini Series: Cate Blanchett, Elise McCredie, Tony Ayres, Sheila Jayadev, Paul Ranford, Liz Watts, Andrew Upton, Matchbox Pictures, Dirty Films, ABC * Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama: Yvonne Strahovski * Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama: Fayssal Bazzi * Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama: Cate Blanchett * Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama: Darren Gilshenan * Best Screenplay in Television: Elise McCredie * Best Direction in a TV Drama or Comedy: Emma Freeman - Episode 1 For more information, visit the production's IMDB page: Here J E N N I F E R W H I T E |
 | A thrill to currently be working as the post-production Voice & Dialect Coach for New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures on their feature film "Mortal Kombat" directed by Simon McQuoid. Based on the video game series, its genre is 'martial arts fantasy action'. And whilst obviously I can't share any production details, I'll simply say get ready for an amazing cast of warriors and martial artists in 2021! I'm sure fans will get a thrill from the movie. |
For more information, visit the film's IMDB page: Here
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
"MY BRILLIANT CAREER": Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney
 | It's been an utter joy coaching for Belvoir St Theatre again, especially during this year of Covid restrictions. I've coached their past productions of "The Drover's Wife", "Mortido", "The Wolves" and "Back At The Dojo", and have now been dialect coaching work on their upcoming production of "My Brilliant Career" with their cast members needing British and Irish accents. Exciting to see this Australian story and successful film now making its stage debut with the formidable director Kate Champion at the helm. |
A thrill too to see our theatres opening back up in Australia for us to share the joy of storytelling and acting for a live audience.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit:
https://belvoir.com.au/productions/my-brilliant-career/
For more information and to buy tickets, visit:
https://belvoir.com.au/productions/my-brilliant-career/
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
"STATELESS": Co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett
 Yvonne as Sofie Werner | It's an exciting time for all of us who proudly worked on "Stateless", the six part television drama series co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett on the Australian immigration detention system. All six episodes have been released on Netflix so a global audience can now see the series. It's also still available to watch here in Australia on ABC iView. |
Part of my job as the Dialect Coach was coaching Yvonne Strahovski for her leading role as Sofie Werner. Yvonne and I have known each other for 20 years since I was her dialect tutor at drama school so it was an utter joy to work together again.
CHARACTER & DIALECT BACKGROUND
As some background, "Stateless" is based on true stories and Yvonne's character Sofie is inspired by the real-life story of Cornelia Rau. Rau was a German-born citizen and permanent Australian resident from early childhood who suffered with a mental illness. Her story came to the public eye when it was discovered she had been unlawfully detained in a detention centre after discharging herself from an Australian hospital and identifying herself as a German tourist who had lost her passport.
The role of Sofie echoes that story, showing her trying to escape from her struggles with mental health by running away from family, work pressures and the traumas of a cult she became involved with. Sofie is stopped for questioning and passes herself off as a German backpacker named Eva Hoffman who has lost her passport.
In pre-production, we had access to watch an investigation documentary into the detention centre system which featured footage of Rau. Her accent was inconsistent and went in and out of her 'put on German accent' and her real Australian voice, particularly when she became emotional and distressed.
DIALECT DETAILS
Several people have asked me about Sofie/Eva's accent so this post is to help clarify those interests.
- Sofie’s dialect as Eva is a hybrid mix of German/Australian as it is being put on by an Australian woman suffering deeply with her mental health.
- Sofie’s parents, Frank and Elka, are German but she and her sister Margot were raised as Australians so natively speak English with Australian accents. Her ‘German accent’ as Eva is not fluently German or vocally/emotionally stable as neither is she.
- In human speech, when people become emotional, they often revert to the patterns of their native dialect and language as it is their core, primal vocal and emotional expression. This often shows up in their use of rhythm, pace, melody and inflection, but also in varying vowels and consonants. Think of those as the authentic heartbeat and song lines of how they naturally communicate as a human. This is what occurred in the footage I watched of Rau where one moment she sounded 'German' then next Australian or a hybrid mix of the two when upset.
- In “Stateless”, Sofie as Eva speaks English fluently so a German speaker or interpreter isn’t required. This means to the untrained ears of the detention centre teams, interviewers and fellow detainees, they don’t realise she isn’t in fact German and from Hamburg as she claims or able to speak the language fluently. The first time doubt creeps in about this is a scene with Rosna, a fellow detainee. Rosna momentarily speaks to Eva in fluent German to which Sofie clearly hesitates and replies in a very basic, broken German sentence. It’s evident her grasp of the language is minimal and lacking fluency. Later, the psychologist who interviews Sofie writes notes in his report about her mental state and that she possibly has an Australian accent. This final note isn’t seen or read until the detention centre team start to realise Eva may in fact be an Australian citizen.
I hope this helps to clarify Yvonne’s dialect as Eva for those curious about it. It was designed both in coaching and performance to echo Sofie Werner’s true state ... that of an Australian woman with a mental illness who has German parents but does not speak the language fluently so her Australian vocal traits creep in when emotional or distressed. These echo the story and footage of Cornelia Rau.
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
Teaching the art of voice acting
 | I'm spending a joyous few months teaching at Australia's renowned National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. I teach on two of their full time degrees - with the 3rd Year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) students and the Masters of Fine Arts (Voice) students, as well as on two part time diploma courses - the Diploma of Stage & Screen Performance and the Diploma of Music Theatre. |
Earlier this year with the 3rd Year Actors and now currently with the two Diplomas, I have the pleasure of teaching them the art of voice-overs, character and animation voices. It's one of my favourite areas to teach professional actors as they discover and unlock their vocal range, freedom and sense of play. Always a fun day at the office!
It reminds me of the joy I had when working as the Dialect Coach on the feature film "Peter Rabbit". I coached our cast not only in their dialects as the human characters, but also some the voices for some of the animated characters. Such a wonderful job! Here's the trailer for your listening pleasure.
It reminds me of the joy I had when working as the Dialect Coach on the feature film "Peter Rabbit". I coached our cast not only in their dialects as the human characters, but also some the voices for some of the animated characters. Such a wonderful job! Here's the trailer for your listening pleasure.
Peter Rabbit
Dialects: London, Scottish (Glasgow), Cumbrian, Cockney and animation/character voices
Producers: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures, Animal Logic & Screen Australia
Director: Will Gluck
Further details: IMDB
Producers: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures, Animal Logic & Screen Australia
Director: Will Gluck
Further details: IMDB
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
"I Am Woman" directed by Unjoo Moon
 | In October 2018, I'd just wrapped ADR work on the animated film "Wonder Park" for Paramount Pictures, and I was asked by Goalpost Pictures if I would be the Dialect Coach on their film that was about to shoot in Sydney. As soon as I heard the synopsis, it was a heartfelt YES! The film was "I Am Woman", directed by Unjoo Moon, and it's the story of Australian singer Helen Reddy. In 1966, Helen landed in New York with her three-year-old daughter, a suitcase and $230 in her pocket. Within weeks she was broke. |
Within months she was in love. Within five years she was one of the biggest superstars of her time. An icon of the 1970s feminist movement, she wrote the Grammy Award-winning song "I Am Woman" which galvanised a generation of women to fight for change and has become an anthem for women's equality. This is her story.
Look out for it in cinemas in 2020. It's a film I'm very proud to have been a part of.
Look out for it in cinemas in 2020. It's a film I'm very proud to have been a part of.
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
FILM & TELEVISION
YVONNE STRAHOVSKI
Coached for: "Stateless", 6-part TV drama series co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett (German dialect), and taught dialects as an actor at drama school in Australia.
Yvonne is known worldwide for her breathtaking performance as Serena Joy Waterford in "The Handmaid's Tale": IMDB
Yvonne is known worldwide for her breathtaking performance as Serena Joy Waterford in "The Handmaid's Tale": IMDB
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"Jennifer White is the consummate professional in all areas of her work. She approaches her coaching with extreme detail and finesse and has an abundant knowledge of all things dialect coaching. I have known Jennifer for many, many years and absolutely trust her to take on any dialect and relay the information with precision and ease. I have been lucky enough to have both been taught by Jennifer in dialects at drama school at the start of my career and worked with her professionally in the industry, and I highly recommend working with her."
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DAMON HERRIMAN
Coached for: Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar" (German/Bronx accent), Nash Edgerton's "Mr InBetween" (mixed Australian/Italian accent), Russell Crowe's "The Water Diviner" (Dublin accent), Steven Soderbergh's "Tot Mom" (multiple American accents), and Brendan Cowell's "The Outlaw Michael Howe" (Yorkshire accent).
Damon is known worldwide for his transformative performances including as Charles Manson in both "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" and "Mindhunter", and as Dewey Crowe in "Justified": IMDB
Damon is known worldwide for his transformative performances including as Charles Manson in both "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" and "Mindhunter", and as Dewey Crowe in "Justified": IMDB
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"When I was cast in Clint Eastwood's film "J. Edgar" as a German who'd spent eight years in the Bronx, I knew I'd need a pretty amazing dialect coach to help me pull it off! Jennifer came highly recommended and she did not disappoint. Not only does she make you feel completely at ease, but her attention to detail; her research; her ear for accents; her ability for not only hearing but speaking accents - are all second to none. Could not have done it without her."
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JEREMY LINDSAY TAYLOR
Coached for: TV drama series "Playing for Keeps" (voice work), the two part biopic miniseries "Olivia Newton John: Hopelessly Devoted to You" (North Carolina accent), and for castings.
Jeremy is well-known for his magnetic performances in "Underbelly", "Romper Stomper", "Barracuda", "Offspring", and "Puberty Blues": IMDB
Jeremy is well-known for his magnetic performances in "Underbelly", "Romper Stomper", "Barracuda", "Offspring", and "Puberty Blues": IMDB
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"The first thing I do when I land a gig or a screen test is pick up the phone and dial the masterful Jennifer White. Jennifer has a gift, and that gift is genuine love and passion for artists and their lifelong journey discovering their craft. Be it a dialect session or discovering a character's voice, Jennifer brings an infectious joy and humility that cuts right through any self doubt, giving us the tools to be the best we can be ... and believe it!!!! I have grown as a man and as an actor since meeting this incredible woman and am honoured to call her a friend."
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MAYA STANGE
Coached for Foxtel's award winning TV drama series A Place to Call Home (Season 6)
Maya is well-known for her captivating performances in "Love Child", "Killing Ground" and "Garage Days": IMDB
Maya is well-known for her captivating performances in "Love Child", "Killing Ground" and "Garage Days": IMDB
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"I worked with Jennifer on creating an English accent for my character on 'A Place To Call Home'. I absolutely loved Jennifer's approach, which not only helped me to perfect the dialect, but was key in creating, developing and fully inhabiting the voice of my character. Because of her acting background, and her finely attuned intuition, Jennifer has an ability to organically guide you into the sounds, melody and feel of the dialect, so that it creeps up on you, until you suddenly find that you have it - no effort, no strain, almost by osmosis! I would highly recommend Jennifer and look forward to working with her again."
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ZOE VENTOURA
Coached for: Nadia Tass' film "Fatal Honeymoon" (Alabama accent) and the pilot for Channel 7 Television's long running series "Packed to the Rafters" (London accent)
Zoe is well-known for her powerful and heartfelt performances in "Underbelly", "Hyde & Seek" and "Wild Boys" : IMDB
Zoe is well-known for her powerful and heartfelt performances in "Underbelly", "Hyde & Seek" and "Wild Boys" : IMDB
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"I found her to be a very thorough and proficient teacher with a positive and friendly manner. She not only gives clear and constructive information and feedback, but also integrates the dialect with work on the character itself, which I found to be enormously helpful. Feedback from the production team was very positive. They thought the accent was flawless and perfectly suited to the character. As a dialect coach I can't recommend her highly enough, and have already done so to anyone who asks."
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JESSE RICHARDSON
Coached for: independent film A Godless Country (1800s Irish accent)
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"Before working with Jennifer I had little confidence in taking on an accent. Within a few short sessions however, she had demystified the entire process whilst providing positive and supportive guidance every step of the way. This was fundamental. Each tiny step was encouraged. My confidence grew rapidly as we progressed. Jennifer not only assisted me with the accent, but with my character's speech patterns in general which lead to important cultural and thematic discoveries. By the time cameras rolled, I felt so confident in my preparation I barely realised I was employing an accent at all. I was simply "being" - and that is the mark of being prepared by a great coach. Thanks Jennifer!"
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Visit the Categories tabs on the right for further Testimonials
from actors, directors, events directors & organisations
from actors, directors, events directors & organisations
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
"STATELESS": Co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett
 Yvonne as Sofie Werner | Thrilled that "Stateless" started airing last night on ABC TV. It's the 6 part TV drama series that I worked on in 2019 as Dialect Coach. Directed by Emma Freeman and Jocelyn Moorhouse, the series is co-produced/created by Cate Blanchett with producers Matchbox Pictures, Dirty Films and ABC TV at the helm. The formidable cast includes Yvonne Strahovski, Cate Blanchett, Dominic West, Asher Keddie, Fayssal Bazzi, Jai Courtney, Marta Dusseldorp and Darren Gilshenan. |
Inspired by true events, it tells the stories of a woman escaping a cult, a refugee fleeing with his family, a father trapped in a dead-end job, and a bureaucrat on the verge of a national scandal who all find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention centre.
The series will air for 6 consecutive Sundays on ABC TV in Australia from 1st March 2020, and will be on Netflix later in the year for international viewing. A powerful and important story for our times about the toll on everyone connected to immigration detention centres.
The series will air for 6 consecutive Sundays on ABC TV in Australia from 1st March 2020, and will be on Netflix later in the year for international viewing. A powerful and important story for our times about the toll on everyone connected to immigration detention centres.
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
THEATRE & MUSICAL THEATRE
HAYDEN TEE
Coached for: his auditions which led to his successful casting as Miss Trunchbull in "Matilda The Musical" on London's West End. Coached for: musicals "Titanic" (British accent) and "Only Heaven Knows" (Southern American accent) in Sydney.
Hayden is known worldwide for his powerhouse performances as Javert in "Les Misérables" on Broadway, London's West End, Australia & Dubai. Website
Hayden is known worldwide for his powerhouse performances as Javert in "Les Misérables" on Broadway, London's West End, Australia & Dubai. Website
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"I have known Jennifer White both professionally and personally for over thirteen years.
She is always incredibly helpful on both big commercial productions when we have had detailed rehearsal periods and last minute sessions for auditions. A number of roles I have booked are owed to my work with Jennifer. I cannot recommend her enough." |
TARA MORICE
Coached for Sydney Theatre Company's two part epic Australian play "The Harp In The South" (Irish accent) and for castings.
Tara is loved worldwide for her moving performance as Fran in Baz Luhrmann's film "Strictly Ballroom": IMDB
Tara is loved worldwide for her moving performance as Fran in Baz Luhrmann's film "Strictly Ballroom": IMDB
Tara Morice (right)
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"Jennifer always provides the exact help I need to fully express my character through their particular voice and accent, and her lessons are invaluable to me.”
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PAUL CAPSIS
Coached for: the Australian touring play "The Resident Alien" as famous English writer/performer Quentin Crisp, and the musicals "Rocky Horror Show" (Riff Raff voice) and "Cabaret" (German accent), both directed by Gale Edwards.
Paul is revered for his fearless, fabulous and deeply moving performances in "Head On", "Angela's Kitchen" and "Carlotta", as well as his vocal mastery in imitating the voices of Judy Garland, Billy Holiday and Janis Joplin: IMDB and Website
Paul is revered for his fearless, fabulous and deeply moving performances in "Head On", "Angela's Kitchen" and "Carlotta", as well as his vocal mastery in imitating the voices of Judy Garland, Billy Holiday and Janis Joplin: IMDB and Website
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"I have worked with Ms Jennifer White a few times over the years. On the Rocky Horror show in 2008 and most recently on the voice and delivery of the iconic Englishman Quentin Crisp. On this production of The Resident Alien, I worked with Ms White privately one on one. She not only helped me find the way into speaking like Mr Crisp, but also helped me into understanding the cultural delivery of a man who existed outside my living time frame.
Working with her was one of the most enjoyable and educational experiences of my long career. Playing such a known figure from history with such a specific way of speaking was totally daunting and challenging for me at the outset but Ms White gave me all the tools and the production was a success and has toured nationally to wide acclaim across Australia. I owe Ms Jennifer White a huge debt of thanks for her patience, her wonderful teaching skills, her warmth, her humour and above all her generosity. I cannot recommend her enough!!!!!!!" |
Visit the Categories tabs on the right for further Testimonials
from actors, directors, events directors & organisations
from actors, directors, events directors & organisations
J E N N I F E R W H I T E
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
Jennifer White
Dialect & Voice Coach
Copyright 2020. All rights reserved
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