Meet Aaron Ellis from Berkshire who moved to LA for love and continue his career as a filmmaker.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I came here a few years ago to support a feature film I worked on that premiered in Beverly Hills. I ended up making friends and kept coming back for three months every year. Eventually I developed a relationship with Anthony, a man I met here and fast-forward to the present, Anthony proposed is now my husband! I love it here and have settled in Long Beach.
What do you miss most from home?
The thing I miss most from England would be my dog, Ollivander (like the wand shop in Harry Potter), British crisps like Wheat Crunchies & Discos and my mum’s spaghetti bolognese!
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
My first impression of LA was WOW the people here are so interesting! It felt like everyone was living here because they wanted to be here, be a part of it all and carve out their own story! Not just be here because they happened to be born here, most people I met weren’t even from LA!
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus your home town?
I come from a small village where everyone is happy doing their day to day with little change whereas here I felt like everyone is doing something exciting, trying new things, taking chances and making new friends. I still feel that way today and hope I always will!
What advice would you give to those making the move here?
Do like I did: the very first time I came to America I actually went to a couple of the Brits in LA British Breakfasts and a pub quiz!
Do you have a hidden gem you can share with us?
I recommend The Silver Fox (a fabulous karaoke gay bar, sing and it’s half off on drinks all night!)
Anything else you like to share with us?
Anthony is in the hospital with Type 1 diabetes and last month, while battling stomach flu, he developed a serious diabetic foot ulcer. We’ve been in the hospital for over a week now attempting to fight the infection with antibiotics, though sadly we were told that the infection has now spread to the bone and he will be scheduled for surgery where they will attempt to save as much of it as they can though some amputation is very likely. He has been off work for several weeks due to the illness and I’m still awaiting my work visa. Since he is our main source of income at the moment without it we’re in trouble. I hate to ask anyone for money and this is difficult for me to write, but this all came out of nowhere and we have no hope of covering the medical bills ourselves. This has been a horrible week and at this point I just need to make sure that Anthony focuses only on his health and getting better. A dear friend has set up a gofundme page to help us at this difficult time. If anyone out there finds themselves able to support us in any way and is willing to do so, please know that we are deeply grateful. We are no more deserving than anyone else going through hard times but I’ll be damned if I don’t try absolutely everything in my power to help him. Thank you.
To contribute, please visit: www.gofundme.com/ anthony039s-amputation-surgery-amp-hospitalization
Twitter: @byAaronEllis
Email: aaronellismedia@gmail.com
