Three fundamental qualities are found in the successful actor. They are Talent, Type and Tenacity. The actor who learns what those qualities truly are, and then understands how to use them, stands the best chance of succeeding in show business. Let’s look at the third element. Here is the definition of tenacity – the quality of holding or tending to hold persistently to something, such as a point of view or an objective.
Just as Talent can be divided into two parts, performer talents and business talents, and Type is a combination of an actor’s essence and how it is viewed by the industry, Tenacity can be divided into two classes as well. Those separate pieces are tenacity of spirit and physical tenacity. Let’s look at each in turn.
Tenacity of Spirit
This is the positive, forward-looking attitude that is the fuel for keeping the fire of your desire burning. Nothing will take you further – not money, not where you went to school, not who your parents are, not who you’re dating, not where you live. Tenacity is the secret that eludes the majority of struggling actors. But high spirits and a little pluck are not enough here. It’s when you go to ten auditions in a row and never get a callback. Or not working for six months and then getting into an Off-Off-Broadway showcase that not one agent you invited comes to see.
Staying positive about your prospects for success, in the face of the inevitable setbacks that will occur in your life and career, is by far the most difficult hurdle that every actor must overcome. There are a plethora of books out there to help you deal with the challenges of creating and maintaining a positive attitude. Remember, your mental state is tied directly to your tenacity of spirit!
Physical Tenacity
Physical tenacity is, quite literally, having the discipline to pick yourself up after you’ve fallen and keep going – again and again and again. Or always being hassled by your boss every time you need time off for an audition, but still coming back to him to get that time off. Of always putting any extra money you make back into your career for new pictures, singing lessons and office supplies. Knowing that you may be toiling away for years and not catching the break that moves you up the ladder of success.
Yet all the while, you’re still writing those letters, going to those auditions, staying physically fit, taking those classes and making those phone calls. And most importantly, going back to the list of goals you’ve set for yourself, focusing on the next task at hand and working on it instead of flaking off and watching TV!
The theme of this piece continues in the articles, An Actor’s Talent – The Three “T’s” of a Successful Actor and An Actor’s Type – The Three “T’s” of a Successful Actor
Sean Pratt - A 25 year veteran, I teach actors about the business of the Biz; holding workshops, writing articles, posting videos & career coaching. ...
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