Wednesday, 23 July 2008

'Snakes, monkeys and desert storms' - all in a day's work for Prince Dastan and Jake Gyllenhaal

If someone had told me yesterday that Prince of Persia was being filmed in a ski resort I would have rolled my eyes. But no, it is true. According to, rather appropriately, Icelandic sources, filming is taking place at 3,000 feet in Morocco's popular ski resort of Oukaimeden in the High Atlas Mountains.


From this article, which follows Icelandic actor Gísli Örn Gardarsson's involvement in Prince of Persia we also get confirmation that filming began yesterday. And there is more: '"It is much more exotic than I expected. I thought the city would be more Western,” Gardarsson said. “It is like from 1001 Nights; snakes, monkeys and desert storms.” Gardarsson will be involved in filming until November and the final shots are scheduled for December 12.'


That is some shoot and we needn't fear that this will be Prince of Persia on ice and that Jake Gyllenhaal will have to cover up and wear ski goggles, because, it is currently in the high 30s centigrade in Oukaimeden. Also, one is usually safe enough, snow-wise, in Pinewood.


The fabulous news that Prince of Persia is all 'snakes, monkeys and desert storms' - the stuff of Arabian Nights and just what I was hoping for - comes hot on the heels of yesterday's info that Jake will indeed be authentic - well, an authentic videogame Prince and not an authentic 6th-century Persian Prince - and will have an English accent. And, judging by the game's Prince - who sounds more posh than one of the Queen's cousins - Jake's going to be learning the lingo with a silver spoon in his mouth.


The English accent is not a particularly easy one to master but Jake is in the capable hands of Barbara Berkery who previously instructed Gwyneth Paltrow and Renee Zellweger: 'Berkery has also coached Brad Pitt (Seven Years in Tibet), Jim Carrey (A Christmas Carol, due out next year) and Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean), and is currently working with Jake Gyllenhaal on his English accent for Prince of Persia. In other words, or for words in another accent anyway, London-based Berkery has become the English dialect coach Hollywood turns to. "It's a nice position to be in," she says.' I'd agree with that, and if she needs an assistant - I can do posh.


However, I would argue that while Gwyneth Paltrow's English accent is almost perfect, sometimes it takes something more than being able to pronounce one's vowels - I always believe Johnny Depp is a cockney even though he obviously isn't.


Jake is good at accents by all accounts (ask Anne Hathaway) and has been known to mimic British director Sam Mendes, as Jake demonstrated in this interview: 'Sam would actually use it as an excuse whenever he was punishing other actors. *puts on fake British accent* "JAMIE FOXX! EVERY DAY! HE COMES HERE EVERY DAY AND HE'S AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTOR! HE'S ALWAYS ON HIS BEST BEHAVIOUR!"' Apparently, according to this, the English must shout a lot on set. One thing's for sure, Jake, they do not sound like this:



Heath Ledger and Jake, especially Heath, received acclaim for their southern accents on Brokeback Mountain, accents that also had to adapt through the course of Ennis and Jack's lives. But Jake had to resist the urge to do comic, as Joy Ellison the voice coach (on Brokeback and I'm Not There) revealed: 'To work with Gyllenhaal, Ellison sat down with the script and went line by line to break down the major sounds. From there, she’d go back through the script and find those sounds in his dialogue and make lists. “Jake might have a line like, ‘I’m trying to buy the fried eggs.’ So I’d go back and go ‘I try fry,’ take all those words out so he starts to recognize that sound in all its forms.”Not overdoing the accent is vital to making the voice authentic — Ellison calls it 75 percent of the challenge. “Jake was funny because at the end of the movie he said to me, ‘I know, I know, pull it back.’ “Because,” she shifts to a twangy Texas accent, “he always wanted to go real strong, y’know, TEXAS.”'

I wonder what kind of English a videogame 6th-century Persian Prince would use?


And so back to Prince of Persia - Sir Ben Kingsley admitted today that life is good (as anyone's would be when they're about to spend time exchanging scimitar blows with Jake Gyllenhaal while bounding from minaret to minaret): "I have opening Eulogy, I have opening The Wackness, I have opening Transsiberian, I have opening Fifty Dead Men Walking. I have just finished a Martin Scorsese film called Shutter Island and I'm about to film next week - I start on the Prince Of Persia in Morocco and Pinewood - so life is beautiful," he said.'


And because things always happen at once, information on the filmscore has also been announced: 'Harry Gregson-Williams has been signed to score Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time for Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. The big budget action adventure, which is based on the popular video game, is directed by Mike Newell and stars Jake Gyllenhall [sic], Gemma Arterton and Ben Kingsley. Supposed to premiere next summer, Prince of Persia tells the story of an adventurous prince and a princess who team up to stop an evil ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy earth. Signing on to score Prince of Persia, Gregson-Williams also withdraw from scoring duties on G-Force, the other big Disney/Bruckheimer 2009 action flick, where Trevor Rabin (National Treasure) takes over the responsibility for the film's original score. Harry Gregson-Williams other upcoming films include The Taking of Pelham 123 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.'


Next thing - I want to see costumes! I want to see monkeys! I want to see snakes! And sand, lots of sand. With Jake.

Includes pictures from IHJ and Sam's Path Petting Zoo.

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not sure why you and your commenters always think Jake was doing an English accent with Gooberballs. At no point does he say the woman was British.

You do realise that the people staying at a hotel are often not from the place in which the hotel is located, right?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this outstanding post. Gregson-Williams does gorgeous film scores.

It is one thing to imitate someone else's speech, as with Sam Mendes, and an entirely different matter to develop an accent for your character. Jake has his work cut out for him. I hope he goes with understaingt it. Altho, he will be surrounded by fine, actorly British accents, so I'm certain it will all be just fine.

Anonymous said...

"understating" ^

Anonymous said...

Snakes are okay - except the poisoned ones... sand is okay - except having it between your teeth. And skiing - not me, though I learned it as a child. But making a snowman in summer should be fun - or a *snowprince*. :o)

Someone should go to Morocco to get some *holy stones and sand* from the *holy ground*. :o) I still have sand from Matmata (Tunesia) where SW had been shot back then. So some sand from Morocco would be a nice addition. :o)

Accents... I know I have a lousy English accent but I don't care as long as people understand me. :o) I know that I have more problems to understand British people than Americans. Don't know why.
Okay, to be honest - I don't understand the people in Bavaria either - and they don't understand us especially when talking in lower German. :o)

T.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Thanks for the lesson on British hotels, Most People aren't British, you helped straighten that one out for me.

Thanks very much anon! I love some of the scores Gregson-Williams has done. I think Jake will respond so positively to being surrounded by these great actors and I bet they'll all give him all the help he needs. Understating is definitely right. Thanks for commenting :)

Anonymous said...

Pop sound like it is going to be very beautiful - I may "keel over" as you said in one of your previous posts, WDW! I wonder if they'll film it in IMAX? You could get lost in that. I don't know if I could stand the beautiful Jake in IMAX (but I'm willing to try). ;) Your pic of him in the plain white T is one of my favorites.

I love hearing about the musical score, the speaking voices, everything. Keep it coming! :)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi T! Posting at the same time - One of the amazing things about Morocco is the contrast in geography and climate over just a few miles and over just a few weeks of the year. An amazing place. I used to live in Bavaria and so I was taught some Swabisch German which noone understood just a few miles away! I've always had trouble being understood in America and I often get called Australian - I like to go with that :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey BK! I LOVE all these details that come out - we are in for such a treat - I think if it were filmed in IMAX it may prove too much. That picture is one of my all time favourites too.

At the premiere on Monday it was incredible hearing the TDK soundtrack belting out over Leicester Square. I can see a huge soundtrack for PoP - full of romance. I can't stop thinking about Arabian Nights :D

Ruby said...

WDW, I think the Gooberballs video is your best evidence that it wasn't you at that hotel. :D I have no idea what that accent was. : D

Anonymous said...

Jake Gooberballs HAHA I love it!!
And what do you mean by this "Gyllenhaal will be cover up..."??? Hopefully not for the movies?!?? The character in the game is always half naked (or shirtless) in any environments of the scene, I was hoping Jake would be too...
Please let it be so!!!

Zodiac said...

The character is always half naked? My Prince is all dressed. Why? Why? WHY?

Anonymous said...

I hope Jake isn't going to be wearing those balloon pants!!! I'd much rather he wear some kind of legging...something very close fitting! With fine, high boots...and a whip and a long, curved sword. Yeah.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Rubes! It is true that I have been known to overdo the martinis myself at some of London's finest hotels, but I have yet to confuse a Hollywood movie star for a barman - but there's always a first :D That interview is my favourite of all the Rendition shows!

Hi Dailing! Jake Gooberballs is something else :D I think we're quite safe and Jake the film Prince will be just like the game Prince and not wear many clothes! Fortunately, although the place they're filming at is a ski resort in the winter, it's very hot - and beautiful - at this time of year. Going to be a lot to enjoy! Thanks for commenting :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Zodiac - you can't be making your prince sweaty enough.... I tend to think - and I'm only speculating wildly - that Jake's look will be modelled more on the new game prince and not on the original and superceded game sands of time game prince. They have shed a lot of clothes from him!

Hi Anon! I'm hoping against balloon pants too, although swathes of bright floaty fabrics are good. Leather boots are good too. I don't think the prince ever had a whip though ;D

Anonymous said...

I've just had a long talk about the dresses they would give Jake... soooo many ideas and we ended up hoping that soon some first pictures will shown up. Fingers are tightly crossed - and my countless stuffed sheep will keep their tails crossed. :o)

I know Swabish German - a nasty dialect. At least we can say that lower German is a language and a bit similiar to English. :o)

T.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Keep everything crossed T :D I would love to see some pics from the set, I so would!

Ruby said...

The character is always half naked? My Prince is all dressed. Why? Why? WHY?

Maybe you jut need to get to that next level. A new scimitar, shed one layer! :D Defeat a sand monster, lose the trousers, that kind of thing.

Ok, where can I get the strip version of PoP and what are the cheats to get him nekkid fastest?

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Good advice, Rubes :D

When we all get our Jake PoP dolls we can make him wear whatever we want ;D

Anonymous said...

Wow! Gísli Örn Gardarsson joins the cast: he's a "keen horseman" and gynmast - and handsome, to boot - with a formidable CV -

Three thousand feet above sea level! Affect of alcohol and drugs will be formidable at this elevation -

O yes, T., we need some sacred sand from this place.

I didnt like the "gooberballs" skit, because goobers are peanuts, and to call somebody peanut balls seems to me insulting. Esp to someone as ballsy as Jake -

Wonderful post WDW! And picture selection, as usual.

Anonymous said...

Ruby, Ruby, you are not the target demographic :D

What a long shoot - sounds like an amazing place though.

Most people are Chinese aren't they? ;) Can't wait for Jake's posh English accent.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Pia! This shoot is full of gorgeous people and what a spot to film in. It's good to know where Jake'll be. I love the Gooberballs skit - makes me cry with laughter. Peanuts? Not Jake, ahem. Glad you liked the pics!

Hi Nouskie :D I should lend you and Ruby my PoP games... those sand monsters are pesky blighters, especially if you're not near a rejuvenating water source... The accent's definitely gonna be posh - can't wait :P

Hope everyone's having a good evening - I seem to have got trapped into a whole load of cookery shows.

Anonymous said...

I always had the impression the word was Jake's own coinage, but that he was accosted by a drunk (and I think English) woman, and called a version of his name :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Whatever happened it made for a fun anecdote - Jake is so good at those, especially at comic timing.

Anonymous said...

No balloon pants please! They always look a bit funny and I want Jake looking hot and sexy...Lets hope they are going with the "Warrior within" look...

Warrior Within

Snakes, "sultry", 1001 nights - this sounds more and more exciting...

And Gisly Örn G., Reece Ritchie and Toby Kebell are also some hot looking guys....

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Jodi! I don't think we're going to be disappointed one jot. I just love the idea of 1001 Nights with all the exoticism, danger and romantics. You're right, these are hot guys :D

twistedlogic said...

Thanks for this mega-post, WDW :) POP sounds like it's just getting better and better. I can't wait to hear Jake speaking in an English accent, even though I absolutely hate posh English accents.I'd have gone for cockney or scouse myself, but hey... I just hope he doesn't end up sounding like Hugh Grant or David Cameron!

Going to see TDK tomorrow.Looking forward to seeing the film and trying not to think about the aftermath.

Anonymous said...

^^Oh I agree, I'm hardly and expert, being American, but they are all so lovely (and sexy!), but not too posh please. :)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Good morning everyone! And it's a scorcher here today so maybe it's time for the baggy pants here too :D

Hi TL! Sorry I missed you. Can you imagine Jake sounding like a Geordie or a Scouser? Hmmm. Imagine if he ended up sounding like Boris Johnson... :( Good luck at the film today - I'll be thinking of you. Let me know how it goes.

Morning anon :D I think Jake'll be hard pressed to beat that lovely and sexy Californian accent of his (or the voice of Jack Twist) but it'll be so weird hearing a non-American accent coming from his mouth. I can't wait and it will be sexy :D I agree that too posh would sound more phoney.

Have a great day everybody :D

Anonymous said...

Great post! so many interesting details!

All my American friends like to mimic a British accent from time to time, so I can see where Jake is coming from with Sam Mendes! lol.

I wonder why in Hollywood, all historical characters (real or ficitional) usually has an English accent! Even the Romans and the Greeks... lol.

first we had to worry about his hair extensions, now the balloon pants! :)

btw, I think Jake already has a better haircut than the prince in the videogame - that straight same length cut just won't do!

Good day everyone!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Morning Winterbird :D Unfortunately, the only accent I can do is a cross between Welsh and Brum. For me, the English and Scots accent in movies is usually preserved for the Baddy! Looking forward to seeing what Ben Kingsley will do with the Dastardly Vizier.

If Jake has got hair extensions then maybe it won't be any longer for the film? I don't know how hair extensions work. But if the shoot is 5 months or thereabouts then they'd have to keep Jake's hair looking the same. Hmmmm, I'm never this interested in my own hair as is clear...

*good girl* said...

Thank you WDW for this very interesting post! :)
I had no idea that British accent was required for PoP: actually, being Italian and having to watch movies dubbed when they're out in theaters, you hardly wonder whether they are using American or British english while acting :D only watching them on dvd's in the original language I may realize the difference, as it happened for BBM (it's not that easy for a foreigner to get the differences among American or British accents, but I managed to get the difference between Jake's accent and the BBM one :P)
Dubbing is definitely useful, but thanks to dvd's now I know how much better it is watching a movie in the original language, with the original voices too. That's why I so would love to watch The Dark Night in english, to totally enjoy Heath's acting, but no way to find a cinema here that shows it in english, so I'll have to wait for the dvd :)

*good girl* said...

*The Dark KNIGHT :P

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Morning Good Girl :D Oh a dubbed Jake :( I'm more of a subtitle person myself so I can see why you'd wait for the DVD. Heath's voice sounds incredible from the clips I've seen of TDK. I was fortunate that when I saw Rendition in Rome it was with subtitles.

*good girl* said...

WDW: "I was fortunate that when I saw Rendition in Rome it was with subtitles."

So was I! I loved it, listening to Jake's voice is always a pleasure for the senses :D (Btw we're still waiting for the Dvd to be released, that's crazy.. I should seriously consider shopping on the internet!)

And I know about Heath's voice, I've seen the original trailer, the italian dubber may even be the best in the world, but I'm sure that Heath's skills in acting and modulating his voice for the Joker could never be rendered by any dubber. I so want to see this movie :)

Anonymous said...

A dubbed Jake is nasty especially that they had used here in Germany 2 or three guys doing it. And then many of these actors giving several foreign actors their German voices... It drives me crazy. Concerning BBM - 90% of the original emotions had been destroyed 'cause of the dubbing. So I always wait to get the DVDs because the odds that people will tell me to leave the cinema because of my comments are damned high. :o)

T.

Anonymous said...

Quoting WDW:
The fabulous news that Prince of Persia is all 'snakes, monkeys and desert storms' - the stuff of Arabian Nights and just what I was hoping for...

*doing the happy dance*

Thank you so much for the wonderful report!
I'm getting more and more excited at the PoP project by the day
(I must confess I wasn't too much when Jake had signed on to it first came out *hangs head in shame*)

The mention of Jake Gooberballs made my day! That clip is also one of my favourite ever of Jake at a TV show, or Jake ever shall I say.

It showed once and for all what a talented comedian he is... if he won't do theatre, can he at least do stand-up comedy? (maybe with a spoof British accent...)

Cheers,
Paola

Anonymous said...

typing too fast...
correction:
(I must confess I wasn't too much when news that Jake had signed on to it first came out *hangs head in shame*)

sheba said...

Ooooh,can't wait for PoP and every scrap of information on it is such a treat - thanks WDW. It conjurs up the exotic, sexy, burnt orange sun, wind,

I'm so into watching the video game (its much easier as I still can't master play yet) but watching it if fascinating. I can see Jake as the Prince and climbing walls, back flips, sheathing and unsheathing his sword etc.

I was wondering why they were going to film in Morrocco during the height of summer, now I know why. Thank goodness it will be much cooler for all the actors concerned.

Regarding the accent - if Jake pulls it off and I hope he does, it will be another exciting credential on his CV for sure. I still have in my head that horrendous cockney accent he did on the Jo Whiley show, Radio One (I wish I could get hold of the podcast - they've taken it off for some reason). So Jake, I'm watching and waiting for you to 'Nail' the British accent - I'm routing for ya ;D

Well I'm off to see TDK at IMAX now so thanks for all the reports on the premier. BTW there was another interview with Maggie for Sky http://showbiz.sky.com/exclusive-maggie-chat

Anonymous said...

"I wonder why in Hollywood, all historical characters (real or ficitional) usually has an English accent! Even the Romans and the Greeks... lol. "

Actually, this goes back to the earlier days of film and even American stage work. Blame your Billy Shakespeare. In the earlier days of film, it was believed that British accents were the thing to do. They were more "authentic," and represented a better class of formal training and acting.

Even American actors playing generic parts adopted one, because "real acting" was associated with the formal theatrical training of the Brits.

The accents were also used to delineate class. So a character who was a servant, or low class street worker, or some thug or criminal, would usually have a more Cockney accent or the American version of one, and the upper classes and good guys would have more "posh" accents.

At one time, (30's & 40's)American cinema faced a British invasion! American actors couldn't get work. Robert Cummings, who starred in Hitchcock's famous, "Dial M for Murder" once told a story about how he adopted a British accent so he could find work. He was not British.

Great post,WDW! Interesting and fun.(Don't care for the lady in the "gooberballs " thing either. ;)

p.s.
I vote against ballooon pantaloons, too. This is Jake's version of PoP, not vicey versey.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi there everyone :D Blimey, it's bloody hot out there...

Hi Paola! The more I hear about PoP, the more I love it - so much fun. I'm glad to hear it's winning you oevr :D I love the Gooberballs clip - Jake really knows how to tell a good tale :)

Hey Sheba - have a great time at the IMAX - amazing. I hope I get a chance to go to the IMAX at some point to see it but it's a distance for me. Thanks for the link!

Thanks, anon, for that really interesting comment - that's fascinating, the association in the movies and in audience's minds of the English accent (or a certain type of English accent) with a class of character and with a type of acting. These days we get to see a few British actors, Christian Bale springs to mind instantly, who seem perfectly happen in an American accent and in Hollywood films. I like the movement of actors both ways across the pond.

I like the idea of PoP adapting to Jake and not vice versa :D Thanks very much for the comment.

Should be in a beer garden by a river right now....

Anonymous said...

I agree, Christian Bale's American accent is wonderful, and he's of Welsh descent. I'm gaining a greater appreciation for him all the time! I also think Britain has such a long-standing tradition of acting, since Shakespeare and before, that contributes to the impression, sometimes wrongly maybe, that they are better and more well-trained actors. It's not a wrong impression, but maybe not always true. And the language is so beautiful. We Americans like to hear it! But I agree, WDW, it's good to have a nice exchange across the pond. Some British dialects have gorgeous, gorgeous histories behind them as well.

I tend to like Liverpool/Manchester (Scouse?), blame it on all the listening to British musicians from those areas during my formative years (forgive my ignorance and generalizing!). Sexy! But I don't suppose that would do in 6th century Persia. ;)

Jake's L.A. accent is beautiful, just the way it is, he's got a wonderful, sexy voice IMO. But as an actor, I imagine it would be fun to "try on" different voices and parts. Should be fun!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Dialects are just fascinating, anon. The idea that dialects travelled from much of England to the East Coast of the US and then developed independently has always interested me. Aren't certain New England accents and dialects supposed to be closer to Shakespearean English than presentday English?

I think the theatre training that many British actors have received is a definite appeal to filmmakers - maybe more so in the old days - but that's where Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina came from, and Jake's had a brief taste of it himself, of course. I suppose now that this tradition can be seen as giving authority to a role and to a film.

But it's good to see these great stage actors in movies - like Ian McKellern and Michael Gambon - because they're so damn good! And, now it works the other way as theatre has become so established in the US.

I love so many American accents; I'm getting a little better at recognising them, especially as I'm surrounded by them in Oxford!

Jake's voice is so sexy and fits him perfectly but I think he gets a lot of fun from trying out different voices. He knows we like it!

paulh said...

So many things to comment on, and so little time/space. Aargh!

First, in a two-hour movie, Prince Dastan is likely not going to be wearing the exact same clothing at all time. The only movie character I can think of who always wore the same things is Indiana Jones, who always wore the trademark hat for continuity purposes.

So, Jake's Prince might wear balloon pants for a scene, and then be stripped to the waist in subsequent scenes. When the DVDs come out, you can rewatch your favorite scenes to your heart's content.

WDW, it would be an honor for you to be Australian. There are many fine stars from Australian: Russell, Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Heath ledger. But in any event, the U.K. is a large place, with many different accents. Just listen to the Queen, Paul McCar-
tney, Michael Caine, Jude Law, etc. And don't get me started on the wealth of different American accents. :-/

Target demographic for PoP? They're going to spend tens of millions of dollars making this film and only target *one* demographic? Please! They're going to want *everyone* who has any money left (after paying for gas, food, rent, etc.) to want to see it. Come to think of it, that may not be a large group, what with prices these days. :-( Okay, Disney has to work twice as hard and make PoP so irrestible that large numbers of people borrow heavily or take out second mortgages in order to see it. :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Paul :) What an interesting comment. First off, good point that Prince Dastan is going to have more than one outfit presumably - although for much of it he'll no doubt be an impoverished prince in peril so he may not get much opportunity to change.

So many extraordinary Australian actors - and they seem to be able to adopt to any accent they wish - Heath is such a brilliant example. And yes, thank heavens, we don't all sound the same. It amuses me that accents can change within 10 miles here in England and some of the older accents do survive in places. As for Ireland, Wales and Scotland! Incredible range of accents across just a few miles.

I agree about PoP - I think one of the reasons for hiring Jake is because they realise he will have appeal to so many, including those of us who wouldn't normally see such a film (although I would!). Just look at TDK - I've never seen a Batman movie but I want to see Heath and Maggie as I know they're so good - and likewise with Ironman and Robert Downey Jr. We'll be sitting in theatres along with all ages (though hopefully not too many noisy kids ;D)

I must start saving now so that I can see PoP at every available moment!

Anonymous said...

Anon 13:06 here. (Not 13:59.)
I think, from an historical perspective, I believe there was a successful attempt in the late
19th century, to change public perception of a certain type of theatre and acting, and raise the bar,if you will.

There was classic theatre, and then there was the rest, which was more egalitarian. Classic theatre went "highbrow," a somewhat defensive gesture, in retrospect.
So Classic theatre was Shakespeare, the Greeks, Marlowe.

Of course much of it has to do with the accessibility of the performance arts to various classes of people, too. And the British taken as a whole, have always been regarded as extremely literate.

Actually, Oscar Wilde did quite a bit, as did Bernard Shaw, to bridge between the old classic theatre and its traditions, and the modern theatre. But ability, legitimacy, and skill were associated with the English theatrical experience, and vestiges of it have continued in some form even today.

I would love to hear Sir Ian McKellen hold forth on the history of theatre and of acting in the modern era. It's too bad John Gielgud and Sir Michael Redgrave aren't here as they'd be a fountain of information.

I know I am over simplifying to an almost criminal extent, but I just wanted to share my perspective. It's something I've devoted some study to, so it's not my personal theoretical take.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Anon - I studied theatre as part of my degree too and so you've hit on a favourite topic of mine :) The changes to theatre at the turn of the 20th century is such an interesting subject, when it was revived as a form of popular entertainment and people stopped rewriting Shakespeare to please the powers that be.

Also, the way that some actors have been able to cross between the screen and stage so ably is incredible, but it must make for difficulties. It was interesting that in Ted and Lisa's account, Jake talked of himself as being more of a theatre actor. Yet I can see the draw of the movies for him, thank heavens! Wish I had more time away from my work desk to chat about this!

It'd be so great if anons could pick any old name, as I can get muddled :D

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating discussion! Yes, we haven't even begun to address the wonderful Australian actors too, and from other countries. I'm getting so excited about PoP now, I can hardly wait. All of the news will have to keep us until Summer 2009.

Dialects are just fascinating, anon. The idea that dialects travelled from much of England to the East Coast of the US and then developed independently has always interested me. Aren't certain New England accents and dialects supposed to be closer to Shakespearean English than presentday English?

This I am not sure of, but it would be fascinating to learn about! I think I had heard something like this, to the East Coast and the Southern US. I dearly love this subject as well. I'd be personally very happy if it were, being from New England. :)

Anonymous said...

The early settlers of a section of East Hampton Long Island New York
called "Springs", where I lived for some time, came from Kent or Dorchester in the 1600s and their descendents, called "Bonackers", still speak in accents of that time and place.

It's a very singular speech.

There's a whole "Bonac" culture, in this area, that's now become so glitzy -

For some three hundred years, Bonackers made their living as baymen, fishermen, and farmers. The dialect is sometimes hardly intelligible to non=Bonackers.

Im really curious about the rationalization of having high britspeak for the ancient Persians.

????

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi 13:59 - Pia gave some great local perspective on this. I just always remember that I was taught that when the first English settlers left for the Americas in the early 1600s - contemporaries of Shakespeare and Marlowe - they took Shakespeare's voice with them and so the dialect around Boston is supposed to preserve elements of Shakespeare's tongue lost to Blighty. IT's really fascinating to think that - it's like some of the words preserved by the Amish. I also think there is quite a connection between the UK and New England and that may be why a lot of English people feel at home in Boston.

Hi Pia! Thanks so much for that - so interesting. That is such an odd word, not one I've heard before.

I think there's very little to do with medieval Persia in the choice of an English accent for Jake's Prince, but it has a lot to do with the videogame which is the inspiration for the film. And I like that fusion of fantasy and hopefully a little sprinkling of authenticity. Reminds me of Heath's Knight's Tale.

Anonymous said...

I also think there is quite a connection between the UK and New England and that may be why a lot of English people feel at home in Boston.

And vice versa! :)

I hope there's more news about PoP today; it's getting so I'm becoming addicted. I think it will be fun to hear Jake speak with a British accent, and it's fantasy, so I don't think it has to be 100% authentic, just not way off. :)

Anonymous said...

"The term Bonacker comes from Accabonac Harbor, which in turn derives its name from Montaukett/Algonquian languages term for "root place," or "place of ground nuts" (in most interpretations referring to potatoes)."

what a mix-up, eh?

So Jake's not going to have to study Farsi, along with parkour, horsemanship, swordsmanship, and so forth. O what a relief!

Anonymous said...

Maybe they'll do that movie language convention where everyone starts off in (in this case) Farsi then moves imperceptibly into received pronunciation ("posh") English :D If everyone is speaking that way it would sound odd for Jake to be the only Californian.

Just hope he never does Geordie, my favourite English accent - too much sweetness!

I've decided I'm OK with the balloon trousers. They will probably be a big thing on the runway for men when PoP comes out. :)

Anonymous said...

aren't balloonY trousers usually gauzy and transparent? and worn w'out undies?

Anonymous said...

Was just thinking of the movie Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen. He had Peter O'Toole, Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, Orlando Bloom, Aussie Eric Bana, Rose Byrne, Saffron Burroughs, Vincent Regan...poor Brad Pitt. He was forced to adapt. Tho his accent was just not...very good. But then, I wasn't interested in what he was saying.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

I love this discussion :D

Anon, it is addictive all this PoP talk :) And because there's fantasy there, I feel like we can dream all we want!

My word, Pia, that's some culture :) We just don't get that kind of thing in the Uk as it's too small. Thank heavens Jake doesn't have to learn a new lingo on top of everything else!

Hi there Nouskie :D I always thought that it would be odd to have a Californian in a Persia sea of Brits. But it fits with the game too.

I may like Geordie - I've never understood enough of it to know. Mr WDW used to live up there and so he translates for me.

The balloon trousers are a no no - we must inform Bruckheimer.

Hi Anon :) I fought it but in the end I gave in and fell for Troy! I agree that I wasn't listening to his accent, nor Sean Bean's :D

Anonymous said...

so the Prince speaks with an English accent? that should be interesting. I wonder if this coach also worked with Heath (like when he did Four Feathers. there are differences between a Brit accent and an Australian one)

one thing, Ennis and Jack were NOT southern those accents were not from the south. They were more a combo of Wyoming and Texas combined.

Trekfan

Anonymous said...

I am also wondering how long this shoot is going to be? If they are not expected to wrap until Nov or Dec I wonder how long Jake's shooting schedule will be?

Trekfan