Sarah Valentine

About The Accent Bank

Ten years ago, I had a vision: to create the largest online database of global voices from around the world — completely free for everyone to access and share.

As an Accent and Dialect coach, I understood the struggle actors face when trying to master authentic accents. Professional coaching is expensive, and quality resources are hard to find. Actors are often on tight budgets, yet they need access to real, authentic voices to perfect their craft.

That's why I created The Accent Bank — a free resource where actors can contribute their own accents and listen to recordings from real people around the world. Contributors send me videos, I upload them to YouTube, and embed them on this website, making it easy for anyone to explore and learn from authentic accents.

My mission is simple: to help actors hear the world, one accent at a time, without barriers or cost. Because everyone deserves access to the tools that help them succeed.

Sarah Valentine

Accent Coach • Dialect Coach • Actor • Casting Director

With over 30 years of experience, Sarah helps actors master authentic accents for film, television, and theatre. Her unique teaching method is easy to follow, and students consistently report picking up accents faster with her technique. As an experienced actor and casting director, she brings deep industry insight to her coaching.

"Everyone deserves access to the tools that help them succeed. The Accent Bank is my gift to the acting community."

— Sarah Valentine, Founder

Ready to Contribute or Learn?

Join thousands of actors worldwide using The Accent Bank. Explore accents, contribute your voice, or take a course with Sarah.

Sarah Valentine

Actor • Accent Coach • Creator

"The only person who truly cares about your life is you, and the only person who is going to get you to where you want to go is you."

I've worked in the Film and Television industry for 30 years. I started my career in London at 18 years old, working as a runner before progressing through Second AD, First AD, and Production Manager roles. I was also an actress in the UK in the late 1980s.

After moving to New Zealand, I became a Casting Director and Talent Agent, and founded Background Talent (later BGT NZ)—the number one talent agency in New Zealand, supplying talent for blockbusters including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mission Impossible, and Power Rangers.

I've had the pleasure of working on a wide variety of TV shows and movies as an actor, including my most proud work: Top of the Lake Season 1 (2012) with Elisabeth Moss (Handmaid's Tale), David Wenham (Lord of the Rings), Holly Hunter (Oscar winner for The Piano), Peter Mullan (Harry Potter, Ozark), and directed by the legendary Jane Campion.

I've travelled and lived around the world, experiencing diverse accents and cultures firsthand. I work online with actors globally through my accent coaching. I've recently moved to the UK and am seeking representation.

Sarah Valentine

Actor • Accent Coach • Creator

30+
Years Experience
1.4M+
Social Media Followers
100+
Film & TV Credits
15+
Accent Courses
Signature Method

The Valentine Method

Simple, practical, actor-friendly accent training

Actor-Friendly

No confusing phonetic symbols or overwhelming theory—just clear, practical techniques

Performance-Ready

Learn accents in context with real scripts and audition-style practice

Proven Results

Trusted by thousands of actors for auditions, productions, and career growth

Industry Experience

Founder & Owner: BGT NZ (Background Talent)

Major Feature Films

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship
Extras Casting
$889M Worldwide
The Rings of Power
Extras Casting (TV Series)
Amazon Prime Series
The Meg
Extras Casting
$529M Worldwide
The Last Samurai
Extras Casting
$455M Worldwide
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Extras Casting
$420M Worldwide
Power Rangers (2017)
Extras Casting
$142M Worldwide

Television Series

Top of the Lake
Elisabeth Moss, Jane Campion
Spartacus
Starz Series
The Brokenwood Mysteries
20 Episodes
Shortland Street
NZ's Longest Running Drama
45+
Total Productions
$3B+
Combined Box Office

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