Creepy Never Ends

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Got another creepy fan request:

Hi Erin. I'm writing to see how I might get a color signed headshot for my son.  He's a fan. I'd like to surprise him on his birthday.

He is a beginning cinematographer and part-time actor and is working on writing his first film script. He is finishing grad school this semester.

Can you honor this autograph request. May God bless you. AJ"

Strangely, this person did not leave their address for me to send said autograph. Nor did he give me his son’s name. Nor does the name“AJ” match the name on in the “from” line of the email (John Fox?)

Ick.

UPDATE: I have had a bunch of other experiences that I recommend being wary of- click here to check out my posts about them.


Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Submitting Via Self

I am starting to think that if I am ever going to post regularly, I have to stop thinking that I have to write long, orations for every minor event. That’s daunting at the end of every day. I simply want a running commentary on what is going on in my career, particularly since my acting website is designed to talk about the jobs I actually book. The only place I talk about upcoming possibilities is in the “News” section, and I only keep the most recent information posted. So I need this blog for posterity!

Yesterday I auditioned for Mt Sinai’s standardized patient (SP) program. It seems as though they only hire new actors once a year, and only to fill abandoned slots from the previous year. This type of work is so much fun and is so rewarding that actors hold onto their slots tightly. This audition involved 2 contrasting monologues to be delivered in no more than 2 minutes TOTAL (which required me to do some clever cutting.) Then they asked me a few questions about my experience as an SP, and then we did an improv exercise to test my skills at keeping two scenarios going at once (hard to describe in a blog.) As I walked out of the room I heard the program director say that I gave a very good audition. I hope I can make it into the program this year. If not, I will keep trying for future years.

Today I had an audition for an HBO promo - this one involved playing a waitress at a hip bar, serving tennis greats Serena & Venus Williams and Billie Jean King. I was a huge tennis fan growing up (played for 6 years in high school and college) so this would be an awesome job. It was a typical promo audition- you go in, slate for the camera, then do the copy and leave. I was given pretty detailed instructions as to what they wanted, and then they gave me a redirect to see if I could do something different. They complimented me on my necklace (my necklace?) and then I was off. Between my actual persona and the two reads I gave, they got 3 distinct characters and I hope it bodes well for future work!

This coming Sunday I have an audition for a web series spoof, produced by some recent NYU graduates. A director I had worked with in 2006 gave me a heads up about the audition notice, and recommended me after I submitted. After submitting, he congratulated me in an email, saying they like my look and want me to audition. The audition will consist of improv, most likely. Should be a lot of fun.

So, who says you need an agent? I got all of the above auditions through self submission, and through maintaining relationships. Yay, me!

Never work with animals

This audition notice made me laugh out loud, but I almost missed what was so funny...

“Seeking a sexy, funny actress 18-35 for a spec commercial to be aired on national television. We will need you for two hours on Sunday 11/09 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00. You will be working with Samantha's dog from "Sex and The City," plus first class talent and crew...”

Can you find it?

Waiting Game

I am waiting for a film I shot this spring to be posted to my IMDB page. It’s like waiting for a new love interest to call after a great first date (3 days? I think this analogy has been influenced by the fact that the movie “Singles” is on TV right now...)

I keep hoping that if I check every day my Starmeter will magically rise. Maybe you can help with that?

No job is ever safe

Yet another reason to never rest of your laurels. Even when you are talented, well liked, and on a hit TV show your job is never a guarantee. Read here about a shocking layoff on one of TV’s hottest shows. It is such a wake up call. I did a seminar with casting director David Vaccari of Telsey, and he said that no matter what level you are at, there is always some kind of struggle. First its trying to get an agent, then trying to get a better agent, then trying to get the TOP agent. Its trying to get into a great film, then its trying to get offered a great film without auditioning, then its trying to get offered a great film for more money than anyone else... and so on, and so on... It is at once mollifying and disconcerting ...

Get Your Magazines, Hee-yeah!

Um, the title above is written to sound a newsboy calling out magazines for sale. I don’t think I achieved the effect.

A few months ago I received a delightful surprise in the mail. I started receiving a magazine called Inc which has got to be one of the most awesome magazines for business owners. It came unsolicited, and there was no indication of how they received my information. The only possible clue was that the “address line #2“ included my building’s buzzer information, which I only release to people who make deliveries to my house. So, my information was either given to them from my postcard/business card printer, my custom blend coffee company, or it was handed out by Dominos Pizza (somewhat less likely than the first option.) I assumed that I was receiving what was a new magazine, and the free subscription was just to get me acquainted with it. But Inc, as it turns out, has been around for years. I searched through my credit card statements to make sure a subscription charge did not show up on there - to no avail. Somehow I got a free subscription.

Then, about 6 weeks ago, I started receiving Time Out New York. Now, my first year in NYC I had a subscription to TONY, but for the past two years I have opted, instead, to buy it on the newsstand occasionally instead of getting it every week. I inspected the subscription label- again, the address #2 line has the familiar buzzer information. I can only assume that this magazine is coming under the same pretense as Inc.

Today, I received the 2 most recent issues of Maxim. That’s right. Maxim.

I simply cannot figure this out.

Anyone else have this happen recently? Or, ever?

PS: Don’t even think about teasing me about getting Dominos delivered when I live in the city that boasts the best pizza on the planet. Just Don’t.

After 3 years, I finally made a commitment

You read that correctly. I have finally made a commitment to my residency in New York City. I have always been committed in my heart and mind, but not necessarily in my actions. But 10 days ago I rescinded my California drivers license and today in the mail I received my very first non-CA photo ID- A New York State Drivers License. What a weird and wonderful feeling.

I’m legal, dammit!

Polling Info for New Yorkers

For those of you who didn’t know, we have a major election coming up on Tuesday. =) But there aren’t only presidential candidates on the ballot, there are a lot of local political seats up for election. I believe that our vote has the most say at the local level, yet unfortunately the city of New York doesn’t do much to educate its citizens about who is running.

Tom just helped me find a pretty thorough website, in case you wanted to educate yourself before Tuesday:

NYC Voting Site: Board of Elections

Make sure you get out there and vote!

I Love Personality Tests

I just retook a Jung/Myers-Briggs style personality test, and came up an ENFJ, as usual. They are called Idealist Teachers, and those of you who know me know that this is a PERFECT description of me... Learn more about my type at this website.

What’s your type?