MediaSlap blog

While watching the premiere of American Idol last night, I began to wonder…  What DOES talent have to do with it?  Believe it or not, almost all the Idol contestants sent to Hollywood HAD talent.  As usual, a few got through that shouldn’t have, but most that should, did – and I was pleasantly surprised.  But what is “talent”?  And can it stand on its own? – Not only in the music biz, but in the “voice-over” business as well?

Dictionary.com has two great definitions for “talent”:

1.     A special natural ability or aptitude
2.     A capacity for achievement or success; ability

Today’s commercial truth lies somewhere between the two – Would not “a natural ability or aptitude with a capacity for achievement or success” be the more contemporary definition? Most of the people I work with have ability combined with equally (or more) important attributes.

So here’s my take on it – The voice-over actor gets “in the room” based on their “ability” but STAYS “in the room” because of their professionalism, work ethic and personality. When asked to suggest someone for a project, “ability” is the de facto part of my recommendation. What makes the difference IS can this person be easy to work with, fun to be around and a hard worker?

Ability can only get you so far – Hard work and professionalism define the truly “talented”.

So I ask you… What’s talent got to do with it? EVERYTHING!

Danny Reeves
Engineer/Producer
Sound Works, Inc.