What do you think the number one thing that a person needs who wants to become an actor?

I'm conducting a survey and given that there is so much information out there for actors new to the business to get lost in, I'm asking the following question:





What do you think are the three most important things that a new and aspiring actor needs to be successful in the acting business?





Thanks!





actingny


www.actingcareerstartup.com/start_acti...

What do you think the number one thing that a person needs who wants to become an actor?
Having worked in the business as both an actor and agent I would answer this with one word:





Perserverance and marketability.





Talent is not a prerequisite. And lots of talented people never make it because they have no business sense and don't pursue it in a creative and perservering way.
Reply:This is so true. There was another answer I liked, but this one contained that one comment that I really believe, that hit me and that I think is a real shame. The best actors don't always get the work! Report Abuse

Reply:A thick skin





perseverance





A trade to fall back on.





The idea that you can fulfill your show-business dreams with enough hard work is not only a lie, it is a cruel lie.





Hard work and desire do not necessarily lead to success. Timing and, especially, talent are enormous factors.





Approach your chosen profession with open eyes. You represent a commodity, akin to a set of tires or an orange juicer. To be a professional actor means that your level of success depends solely on much money you can make for other people.





This is not a pretty or glamorous view of professional acting, but, like the Zen joke that is not funny: it just is, that's showbiz, folks. It is a business.





If you feel that you have the exceptional talent, drive, and perseverance necessary to work as a professional actor, by all means stride in to the field of battle. I wish you luck.





Do what you love, and the money will follow.





But never forget tip #3
Reply:Subscription to Backstage Magazine


Talent


Charisma
Reply:Able to keep their composure under stressful conditions.


Talented.


Can handle alot of **** from directors
Reply:1. Passion


2. Energy


3. Commitment
Reply:Experience at any level in any form of acting, thereby giving you exposure to any scout or agent who might be checking you and others out.
Reply:Patience


Talent


A day job
Reply:Voice--not just musical either. I think that an actor must have a good solid voice with good resonance, diction, projection, and expression.
Reply:Talent - An aspiring actor needs the talent to compete against other people out in the business. There is always going to be someone better so the actor needs commitment to his craft to be the best he can be.





Passion - An aspiring actor needs to truly love acting. The lifestyle requires it. There's no sense in living in poverty if you don't love what you are pursuing.





Ambition - An actor needs needs the drive to succeed. In this business, it's difficult to find work with all the rejection that happens. An actor needs to be driven with thick skin to survive. Sometimes, a cut-throat attitude is necessary if an actor wants to have success.
Reply:#1 - the ability to handle rejection! Most important! Cant take it personal


#2 - patience!


#3 - a good set of monologues
Reply:talent


commited


confident
Reply:Talent, Desire (Coupled with persistance), and a good agent