The city that never sleeps has been silenced by the coronavirus epidemic. But inside their homes, a recent viral competition has made clear: New Yorkers and their accents lie in wait, eager to once again fill the void with dropped Rs and a tough attitude.
Filmmaker Nicolas Heller usually spends his days roving the boroughs in search of characters to profile on his Instagram feed, @NewYorkNico.
So when the pandemic forced him to shelter in his Bed-Stuy apartment, the 31-year-old began brainstorming how to maintain his search from quarantine.
The Union Square native had the idea to host an online competition. First he held a general talent contest. Buoyed by its success and inspired by a list of the best 100 New York accents he’d made back in