Each issue of my email newsletter turns the spotlight onto one of the subscribers, many of whom are accomplished writers, filmmakers and artists whose work is worth learning more about. To receive future newsletters, please sign up!

Erin Cronican, Actor/Producer & Career Coach
(featured January 2012)

If you visit Erin Cronican’s website, the first three things you’ll learn is she’s an actor, a singer and a lover of nacho cheese. That got me thinking, how would I describe Erin?

Actor: When I wanted to direct my first film, I asked Erin and our friend Marissa Mutascio if they could be my acting guinea pigs and let me direct them in a practice scene. They agreed and through them I got to direct actors for the first-time. Not only are they wonderful actors, but they are also incredibly smart about their craft. My kind of guinea pigs!

Singer: We were at a bar for the NY Actors Tweetup and the Heart song “Alone” came on. Hey, I hadn’t heard that one in a while. And then I realize it’s karaoke and frickin’ Erin’s singing it! And she’s killing it! So there’s that.

Lover of… Tequila: I must admit, I don’t care for processed cheese, and thankfully I’ve never seen Erin eating it. But what she seriously loves is tequila. I believe this is a good quality in a friend because brainstorming and plotting is more fun while downing much agave goodness. And give me enough tequila and that nacho cheese actually may not’t look so bad.

But no need to take my word, go meet Erin yourself. She’s a business coach for actors through The Actor’s Enterprise, the Managing Director at The Seeing Place Theater in NYC and the Producer of the musical theater collective ACTOR-OWN Musicals. If you have a question about acting and acting careers, she’ll have your answer. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook and I bet she’ll love you forever if you suggest a new karaoke song for her to sing and it becomes her new fave.

Bill Pace, Screenwriter/Filmmaker & Veteran Screenwriting Teacher
(featured August 2011)

When screenwriter Jeanne Bowerman and I spoke at the Romance Writers of America conference last month, we went on after screenwriter/teacher Bill Pace. I should have been scared to death by having to follow him, but as I sat in on his session, I had no time to worry because I was too busy learning. Bill was going over the basics of screenwriting, and while it should be old hat to me by now, I found myself taking notes, answering questions (I don’t think I was supposed to do that, by the way) and getting caught up in his presentation.

To some, Bill is a filmmaker, to others, their screenwriting advisor at the New School University and to others (like my friend Jeanne), their script consultant. To me, Bill is the consummate teacher and he’s been unofficially guiding me now for years. He helped me to find the New School when I was looking for just a screenwriting class and instead I found a university that helped launch my career. He’s continued to advise me as I took a job in film development, when I had questions about screenwriting format or structure and filmmaking at large. He’s generous with his time and even his classroom handouts(!), and I’ve never even officially been in one of Bill’s classes, worked on one of his films, or hired him as a consultant. So imagine if I did.

He’s in my Spotlight because he’s one of those people you want to know. If you’re looking for a university experience or a script consultant, reach out to him, he’ll help you find your path. If you’re well on your way, but know it’s always worth connecting with the good guys, then he’s one of the good guys. You can find Bill (AKA ScripTeach) on Twitter and learn more at his website.

Altered Roots Quartet, Band
(featured May 2011)

Altered Roots Quartet is a Bay Area, California, jazz-reggae group. Years ago, I decided I was an honorary Bay Area chick because it’s where my husband grew up and his friends are some of the best people I’ve ever met. If such smart, funny, cool folks come from there, then I want to be a part of it.

The guys who make up the quartet are brothers Todd Wilder on drums and Chris Wilder on bass, Andrew Sacco on guitar, and Dan Shafer on keyboards. Accomplished musicians who’ve played in more bands than I could possibly list here, including punk band Stikky and reggae band Inka Inka, formed this group to explore jazz-reggae fusion. They describe this blend as “jazz standards in a reggae style, and reggae classics with a jazz sensibility.” Yeah, that’s a little beyond me, too, but the music is some very cool shite.

You can learn more about them at their website, Facebook page and on Twitter and don’t be shy about reaching out and saying hi. If you need an ice-breaker, ask Chris about this bunny suit I keep hearing about or Todd about chimp wines that are drunktastic. Oh yeah, and if you’re in the Bay Area, go to a show and you can get the dirt in person, just be sure to report back to me because I’ve got to believe drunktastic and the bunny suit must somehow be related.

Marissa Mutascio, Actor
(featured March 2011)

I’m totally biased – I adore Marissa.  We met through Twitter but she lives in NYC so we get to be friends in person as well. I didn’t select her for my Subscriber Spotlight though because I like her personally, I selected her because of how she runs her business. Marissa is an actor and what is a hope and a dream for some, is a thoughtful, carefully executed business for Marissa. But don’t think her precision comes without passion, she is also full of enthusiasm and is boatloads of fun. In addition to taking classes, attending networking events and, of course, her professional acting work, she hosts the NY Actors Tweetup group with fellow co-founder and actor Erin Cronican (who is an awesome gal in her own right). To learn more about Marissa you can check out her Facebook page. You can also connect with her directly via Twitter.  Ask her about the NY actor’s life, or about the next tweetup, or even ask what the heck is transmedia, seriously, the woman knows it all!

Ross Carey, Screenwriter and Podcaster
(featured February 2011)

A few months ago, I had the chance to meet comedy writer, former radio producer and super nice guy Ross Carey. Ross is the host of Conversations with Ross, a podcast offering a glimpse into the lives of actors, writers, producers, and dir ectors. In personal, story-driven interviews, actors open up about memorable auditions, writers discuss the process of finding their voice, directors give insight on running their sets, and comedians talk about the realities of bombing on stage. To learn more, you can follow Ross on Twitter and Facebook and download his podcasts via iTunes or his Web site. Happy listening!