(This was the letter I sent to the first few people who signed up.
Since they all knew me, it wasn't too surprising.)

Hey there!

Thanks a lot for signing up for my kooky newsletter. At this point I'm still
waiting for a certain number of people to sign up before I send the first
issue, but it's a low number (one less than 11) that shouldn't take long to
reach. After I get to that threshold, I'll be sending out a new issue every
week come rain or shine.

If you're reading this, you're really and truly one of the very first people to
sign up, and I appreciate it. In a year or so when this thing has
blossomed into a major media empire, I'll give you a dollar (but remind
me, okay?).

So, in case some numbskull you don't know signed you up for this, or
you're just curious, let me introduce myself and give you some idea of
what to expect.

MY LIFE STORY
In the early 90s, I did a regular (on paper!) zine called SCAREBOB which
for better or worse was (as far as I know) the only anti-Bob Hope
Magazine ever. I interviewed bands, gave my opinions on weird stuff and
talked up various conspiracy theories about Bob Hope. It was pretty cool.
Then I got into screenwriting and moved to Los Angeles to pursue it.

Like many people, I didn't end up pursuing it as well as I should have
(although I do have a BUNCH of finished scripts), and fell into other, even
lower-rung jobs in the entertainment industry.

I was an extra for a while on TV shows, including 90210, Melrose Place,
VIP, and bunches of others. I was even featured as the punker guy in an
episode of the Fred Savage show Working, where I didn't say anything,
but the laugh track laughed anyway.  

After that I worked on low budget independent movies, first as a grip/
electric guy, then as a boom operator. I've been on the crew of some
pretty crappy movies, and a few that were pretty good (you can check out
my page on the imdb if you're curious). I have gotten to work with some
really cool people during my time in Hollywood. It's a great place to be.
Eventually though, it's really frustrating trying to make a living in the
movies without putting your heart and soul into the exact job you were
hired to do. And there's the rub.

I came out here to be a writer, and I've done a fair amount of writing, but
I've really been too much of a wuss to get my stuff out there, and all the
steam I built up that got me out here sort of went whoooosh bye bye
after a while. I've only worked on a couple of movies in the last year, and
I've been doing ebay the rest of the time. So this is my newest latest
idea, the one that's going to yank me out of my rut and get me back in
touch with the world. More importantly, I hope it will be entertaining.

THE FRANTIC FLICKER is almost about movies. It's about movies in that
it's sort of about me and I like movies. It's also goofy (I mean surreal)
and nonsensical. And serious about how little sense it makes. Aw heck, I
don't want to give it all away. Just sit tight and within the next few days
you should have the first issue in your grubby little... I mean on your
grubby little computer screen. I hope you'll like it.

Be cool. Stay in school. Don't drink water from the pool.

Your friend,
Eric Henderson (but from now on, you can just call me Eric)

Copyright 2004 Eric Henderson.