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What is the "IT FACTOR" everybody is talking about?

It can be a combination of personal flair, attitude, talent and personality that makes an actor a real discovery. However, all those qualities must come packaged with the "IT FACTOR." There are people that have that "IT FACTOR" who can't act. So what is it actually?
It could be as elusive as trying to nail Jell-O or as simple as a smile. It could be as indefinable as trying to find the last number of infinity or as simple as good eye contact. It could be as obscure as trying to find out how many stars there are in the universe or as simple as a good first meeting.

What am I trying to say? The "IT FACTOR" is intangible but you know it when you see it.
There are thousands of actors in the world that are making a living at what they do. There is no short number of them in any age category. But is everyone right for the job? No. Only one can get any given part at a time. So what makes them embody the "IT FACTOR?"
The search is on from the first cup of Starbucks in the morning to the last sip of wine in the evening. On every casting desk are the postcards, emails and manila envelopes that hold the hopes of every actor. On every agent's desk are the messages from calls, emails, subtly dropped off submissions, the friendly referral and the proverbial manila envelope that encases: the picture that took weeks to shoot, select, reproduce, staple to a resume, add a note, lick, stamp and mailed in the hopes that they are what the agent is looking for to represent and declare to the universe they have found a star.
A hunch, personal style, personal preference, predetermined criteria, doesn't have anyone like the actor standing in front of them. These are things that define the "IT FACTOR" for some casting directors and agents. I've said many times, "He or she is a great actor but just not right for this part." How can that be? You mean the "IT FACTOR" doesn't universally apply to every part? No.
To some agents the only "IT FACTOR" for them are singers, dancers, actors, bands, sports. The list really is a long one. And just like the television show "I want to be a Hilton", you want to be on the list. Well, you are on a list, somewhere. You have to be self-defining, have some self-criticism and not be delusional and most of all is to be clever enough to find the right Hilton. There are a lot, you know.
I'm reminded of a story told by our pastor Bayless Conley. He and his family needed to catch a plane.

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