NewEnglandFilm.com

At 13-years-old, William Erickson is already a seasoned actor. He started in commercials and other local productions at the age of 5.  His passion for performing has transformed into a career in all types of acting, from commercials to films.  Currently, he’s featured in the film Entropy (which premiered June 22), a national Subway commercial (airing in the next month), and season II of PBS’s Fetch with Ruff Ruffman.  And all the while, he’s still holding down the full-time gig of being a seventh grade kid.

BK:  Can you tell us a bit about your character in the film Entropy that premiered June 22nd?

Erickson:  My character Daniel was a kid who had very little love in his family.  He only had a father taking care of him and really, Daniel took care of his father.  The father was angry all the time because Daniel couldn’t walk right.  He had one leg shorter than the other.

BK:  What was the experience like filming Fetch with Ruff Ruffman?  (For those who don’t know, Fetch is a kids’ game show produced by WGBH Boston. It’s part animation, part live action, part science, part spoof, part reality TV.)  Did you enjoy playing yourself and not a character?

Erickson:  It was great!  I met five other really nice kids and we became great friends.  I enjoyed all my challenges and the travel involved.  I did enjoy playing myself as the show was right up my alley — in that I love science and learning about why things work and how. It was also fun to shoot outdoors.

BK:  What is the ideal project for you?

Erickson:  The ideal project for me right now would be a feature film, working with a great director, something along the lines of a Disney film or Mark Twain story.  Oak Films is currently in pre production for Tom Sawyer and I hope to get the chance to audition for them.  Any type of family film would be a great experience and fun for me at my age.  The ideal character? My ideal character would be similar to Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, someone who is very adventurous.  I love the outdoors and adventure. But of course, I am up to any challenge.  I don’t want to limit myself.

BK:  How do you balance school and constant auditions in Boston, combined with photo shoots in NY and Los Angeles?

Erickson:  It’s just like being sick and absent from school, I would just make up the work I missed. My school is very supportive of my acting career.

Will is starting to get used to photo shoots.
[Click to enlarge]

BK:  Are you still a normal kid?

Erickson:  In ways. I still hang with friends, go to the movies etc. People will treat me differently sometimes though. My parents help me to keep a good balance between acting and being a normal kid.  They encourage activities outside of acting as well, sports, music, Boy Scouts etc.

BK:  If that wasn’t enough, you are dabbling in music now.  Has this always been a passion?

Erickson:  Yes, I have always loved music, and I always will. It brings out so much feeling within me and pumps me up for anything. I play piano and have written a few songs.  I hope to get more involved in music as I continue my acting.

BK:  You’ve said you don’t just want to be the average kid actor; you want to make a difference in someone’s life.  Do you think that will come through your film work or via charities or community involvement?

Erickson:  I think that will happen through both. If I am in films and people get to know me more as an actor, I hope to eventually become a spokesperson for an organization. I would love to be involved in charities and the community. I have been so blessed in being able to get many of the acting jobs that I have done and I want to give back to this world even if it’s in a small way.  A friend at our school was recently hit by a bus while walking/skateboarding and passed away.  It was tragic.  When things like that happen, I always want to try and reach out somehow.  I think a skateboard park in our community would be a perfect way to help kids have a place to go and skate rather than on the streets.

BK:  Any projects in the near future you’d like to discuss?

Erickson:  I have a recording session coming up with a small cast of boys.  We will be singing and recording a few songs by songwriter Paul Edward Yalen. I am looking forward to seeing where that might lead. I also have a few publicity events lined up for Fetch including a few out of town trips.

BK:  Where will William Erickson be in 10 years?

Erickson:  I hope living in Beverly Hills, California as a working actor and making a difference.