Two peas in a pod, or four, as there are four girls in this family. My sister and I find ourselves Brits living in LA, the massive sprawl of a city, only five minutes away from one another. Julia, working in the film industry, writing, acting and producing and me, Kate, contributing to magazines, as a visual director and writer. Both inhabiting very different scenes in the Los Angeles jungle, I talk to her about being a Londoner, a fish out of water and some other things too. I had a good time, ‘cus she’s my sis.

 Text and Interview by Kate Eringer
www.kateeringer.com
Photography by Rosaline Shahnavaz
www.rosalineshahnavaz.com

Kate – Hey sis, how are you?

Julia – Hey sis… I’m doing well…

K – Cool, where are you?

J – I’m actually in New York in an air b’n’b apartment in alphabet city.

What are you doing right now in life?

I’m in New York to attend the premiere of my Short Film IN HONOR OF, something I wrote and produced as well as acted in, which is screening at Soho House NYC for The Soho Short Film Festival. Last night I went out for a few drinks with my producing partner, Andrea Monier and today we are going to check out a few museums. Life is good. :)

I have your little dog Charlie sitting next to me, he says hi. Anything you want me to tell him?

Just tell him that he is a good boy and I love him. And then kiss his tummy and his face. He likes that.

What’s important to you?

My family and my friends. That they feel loved and happy. There is still so much negativity and prejudice in the world and that hurts so many people and I think we should all work to eradicate this as much as possible..

For example, one of my best friends in LA is a lesbian. When we met I thought she was so cool and she seemed so full of confidence and so proud of who she was and her sexuality. But as I got to know her better I realized that underneath lay a deep sense of shame. Her family had never accepted her sexuality and this was the root of a lot of these feelings. I think that it’s incredible the way the world is changing to be more accepting and to celebrate all people – despite their color, race, sexuality. We still have a long way to go but we are getting there.

Gender issues are very important to me. I think the objectification of women is a huge problem world-over but much more in American and specifically in LA. People continually refer to women as having a 9 body but a 4 face or some other equally horrific qualifiers. Tinder and other such dating apps have made the problem worse – it is getting easier and easier to dismiss people based solely on their appearance pushing us further away from actual intimacy or connecting with people on a real level – meaning it is easier than ever to judge people based on the way that they look. For that to happen I think women need to band together, stop body shaming each other and let the culprits know that their behavior is unacceptable.

Do you think that comes through in the movies that you make, write and act in?

Yes I guess it does. My first short film IN HONOR OF is about a woman who is executed by her family for breaking their code of ‘honor.’ I think I wanted to explore what it can be like to be a woman in a male world where social pressures abound and dictate you what you should and shouldn’t do. And if you don’t conform you will be punished for it.

My web series – GIRLS LIKE MAGIC was something I wrote for my best friend while she was coming out to her parents. I wanted her to realize how amazing and special she is and how incredibly proud I am of her and everything that she does. Even though it is a comedy it deals with some serious issues. As well as championing my friend and the gay community in LA, it also deals with a woman in crisis – she is, again, living in a man’s world – this time her boyfriend’s, but this time she is offered a way out. Her best friend show’s her a world in which she can be free to explore her individuality as well as her sexuality.

We’re from London, obvi. What do you think are the major differences of being a creative human in London vs being a creative human in LA?

I think that in LA there is a can-do attitude as opposed to London which is more rigid in it’s expectations. For example in LA it is pretty common and accepted for people to do more than one thing – many people are actors / writers / producers / carpenters / gardeners / recruiters / jam-makers. A lot of people are here pursuing their dream vocation but they have to do more than one thing to make ends meet. Or they have a number of interests which they are pursuing creatively. This means that it’s understood and almost expected for people to have more than one job / do more than one thing. In London the mentality is a little more rigid. People want and expect you to specialise in something – ONE THING. In London I’m constantly being asked which I prefer out of acting, writing and producing and told that I need to pick one in order to really succeed or be taken seriously. Clearly, they are and can be 3 separate vocations – If I have an acting job, I’m only acting and the same goes for the other two. However, when I’m creating my own project, that’s not really how I see it. All three pursuits lend different skills that work together to get the project made.

“There is still so much negativity and prejudice in the world and that hurts so many people and I think we should all work to eradicate this as much as possible…”

What’s awesome about London that sucks about LA?

The British temperament. People in LA can be crazy. I had a guy wind down his window on the freeway driving at 80mph and throw a thermist of some unknown liquid at my windscreen the other day. I literally could have died. This guy. Was crazy. I like the metaphor that if the USA was a puzzle and you shook it and tipped it to the left, all the loose pieces would come out and end up in California. These less grounded, less stable ‘loose pieces’ often end up in LA.

At the same time, some of the people in LA are amazing and are the most creative, loving and open-minded souls that I’ve ever met but the percentage of crazy people is higher than it is in London. People in LA can often be extreme and let their emotions run away with them. Although I’m not a fan of the phrase, Keep Calm and Carry On, there is something to be said for this British sentiment.

What’s awesome about LA that sucks about London?

I love love LOVE that LA is a city that promotes a healthy lifestyle. It doesn’t mean you can’t have fun but when meeting friends, instead of going to the pub, you might go for a hike and a green juice. I feel better staying fit, eating well and being more connected to nature. Since I moved here I’ve become a pescetarian and I work out at The Tracey Anderson Method pretty frequently. It’s a lot easier to do outdoor activity and eat lighter because it’s so sunny and hot here all the time. When I’m in London all I want to do is eat chocolate and curl up in front of a good movie or hang out with my friends in the pub because it’s so cold and miserable out. Although that can be really fun too and those are two of my favorite things to do! I guess it’s about balance and doing all things in moderation.

I think it’s really hard to make authentic art in LA because nothing is serious here and everything is a little tongue-in-cheek. So how do you make authentic art, which isn’t overly stuffy and critical? Where does the balance between that lie?

Gosh that’s funny. I think things can be quite serious here. Maybe because I’m more into the independent filmmaking scene. I do know what you mean though… I have theatre friends who complain that most shows that are on are frivolous – a lot of comedies and musical theatre and I agree that the theatre scene leaves a lot to be desired. However, fundamentally authenticity is just about telling the truth and being who you are. I think you can do that in any genre or artistic discipline – be it comedy or drama, photography, acting or art. For example my show, GIRLS LIKE MAGIC is a sex comedy but it has tremendous amounts of heart . I think because it is coming from an authentic place. If something is true, it transcends the genre. Does that make sense? Does it answer your question?

What are your favorite LA spots?

For drinks I love Edendale or Bar Stella in Silverlake, The No Name bar on Fairfax which is run by two awesome dudes – get to know them well and you’ll never be turned away and 41 Ocean in Santa Monica is my new favorite spot. I went there last weekend and had a great time. To work out it has to be Tracey Anderson in Studio City or hiking in Fryman Canyon (There is a secret entrance on Mulholland by Allenwood. It is so beautiful in there, it’s like you are in a rainforest.) To eat – Cafe Gratitude, Sugarfish, Hirozen or Inn On the 7th Ray. That’s just a few… there are so many more places that I love out here.

What would be the best date in LA?

Ha HA! Gosh I don’t know… I think it depends on the person you are with. Someone could take you to the fanciest restaurant but if you are not into them… it doesn’t do anything. I think the most important thing is to like the person you are with. But I guess for me it might include sushi, fro yo, a walk in nature, laughter, a glass of red wine and a kiss…?

Our parents are great. What, that you are/have, do you attribute to Mama? And Papa?

Another tough question. Thanks Kate.

Mama first – I attribute to my mama my ability to have a flexible mind, to be able to adapt when I need to, rather than stick in stubbornness or anger. To have humility – to see when I am wrong and do my best to fix what I can. To be open to other ways of thinking and to love myself and others as much as possible.

Now Papa – I attribute to my papa my generosity and kindness (although he has plenty more than I do), my cheeky side and naughty sense of humor – the way inappropriate things make me laugh and the way I’d be open to a food fight pretty much anytime, anywhere. Best of all he gave me the ability to talk to anyone and to treat all people as equals or maybe even friends.

Let’s go back to that question before – the date should include some sort of cheeky silliness… maybe even a food fight!

Photography by Rosaline Shahnavaz
www.rosalineshahnavaz.com