And should I accidentally answer this question I will win the $64,000 question. Talent is closely related to being in the right place at the right time and having “talent”. The right place at the right time does not mean that you have not been in such a place before; it does mean that you were not recognized.
“Talent”, (for purpose of discussion it is ‘assumed’ that you have talent, found this web site didn’t ya?) a gift or ability you have that may or may not be marketable. “Market”, any place that may need talent and in particular your talent. Markets include but are not limited to: TV; Film; Commercials; Print (magazine, periodical, flyer, newspaper, Billboard, Art, etc.); Industrial (Training, Infomercial, Educational, etc.); Model (Runway, Private Showing, Print as noted, Body Part, Body Double, etc); Theatre; Street Performer; etc.
SO, what is talent? Every time I think I have a handle on the answer to this question I get broad-sided. One of my first broadsides was the Olson twins, cute yes, talented no. Even to this day their talent lags far behind their contemporaries. (right place right time, again)
Talent has nothing to do with any ability (sing, dance, perform magic, etc). No, talent is anything but fair. I met a great close-up magician and he is going nowhere. He is holding himself back.
SO, what is talent? What I do know, “Right Place, Right Time” and the ability to catch the eye of the individual that makes the decisions. Producer of a notable Baum movie (not Wizard of OZ) stated he was going for a particular look. They auditioned all over the US and Canada. Found a pretty little girl with no experience (and as it turned out no talent, what ever talent is). They placed her in acting classes, coached her on the set and burned more film than I could afford on shooting her scenes. A strong supporting cast did not save this forgettable film. A lesson here, I doubt it.
As a producer and from my point of view only (as I cannot get a grip on the other points of view), I look for personality, eye contact and a willingness to try. I do not begin casting a part with any preconceived notions as to what the character looks like. I have even changed a part from a boy to a girl. A producer/director with an open mind into casting is unusual at best. However, more and more casting is being done this way, in movies and Television, not commercials.
Commercials (and all forms of modeling are right behind) are a world apart from reality.
This is not to say that TV & Film are rooted in reality, it is to say that of the unreal worlds of acting, commercials are the most unreal of them all.
Talent is in the eye of the beholder. You may be the most talented individual on the planet, but if the Producer, Director, Casting Director, Agent or decision maker does not recognize the talent with in you, then you are in the right place at the wrong time.
Preparing to become talent is a task in itself. What can a child do to prepare for becoming a talent, everything and anything that the talent to be enjoys. All activities help you prepare for the world of talent. Doing things prepares you for the unexpected, builds confidence and improves your self-esteem. Decision makers see this in your presentation. I know if I have the right talent in front of me before they finish their slate (slate, talent introduction to those conducting the audition. “Hi, my name is JB Corn with the ****** ***** Talent Agency.” Pause and wait for instructions or begin audition). Once I see the self worth in the talent (during the slate) I can determine before they begin the material if they are right for the part. I have actually stopped talent before audition material and said “call backs”, those magic ‘first step words’, every new talent longs to hear. The nice thing about stopping a talent early on is that they will eventually learn that their slate won the call back audition and that helps to build their confidence level. I do this for me, not the talent; I am a greedy exploiter and want the best performance out of my talent that I can get. It is an accident that it helps the talent.
Talent is found in an individual with the drive to withstand criticism and rejection time and time again. The talented individual has had many life experiences in as many different areas as appeals to the talent. A talented individual wants to be at the audition and looks forward to the hard work necessary in producing the final product. My talented performer is not afraid (no matter the age) to make suggestions and become part of the creative team producing the product.
TALENT DARES TO BE WHAT IT IS and dares me to discover it.
I win, Make the check out to… Do you have ‘Talent’? Next audition put it all on the line. If you do not, you will lose. If you do and still do not get the part, then you were not what they wanted that day, that time and in the mood that they were in. That is not your fault!