Meet Adam Matalon from London who moved to LA 9 years ago to continue work as a producer and director.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
What do you miss most from home?
It’s simple – Friends. Food items are great but nothing replaces people you can laugh with.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London (insert home town here)?
London is all about bumping into people you know as you wander about. The car culture in LA makes that tough. LA can be a lonely city as a result if you don’t build a life before you pursue your chosen career.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
My favorite Happy Hour is Sunset Trocadero. It always feels old school Hollywood, and cool and dingy enough to be exciting.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
It’s a fundamental part of the plan to assume it’s going to take time to settle. You need to make sure that you are not expecting too much of yourself. Have the financial infrastructure to make sure you are not emotionally stressed and not driven by survival instincts. You need to build a support structure and that includes as many locals as possible. I think it’s very natural to want to surround yourself with the familiar and that often means other Brits, but you need to make friends outside of that pool.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I think I just expressed it, but follow your heart, involve yourself with good people and always be cautious of agendas. It’s a cutthroat town and unfortunately that also means some people who are less than others.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I’m very excited about two projects I’m involved with. The first is a short film – shot recently in the UK that I co-wrote produced and directed inspired by the true story of Stephen Endelman who is a wonderful film composer and who suffered dark issues as a child that he is now courageously sharing in this film. Screening in LA for the first time Feb 15th at HRIFF and just won “Best Short Film” www.boymankite.com.
The other project is a feature documentary I’m making: In The Shadow of the Flag is about military veterans finding emotional peace after the return to civilian life from military service. Currently in progress the film follows 16 military veterans, company dancers, choreographers and external experts. The film is set against the backdrop of the creation of an original dance piece with spoken word, developed with Artistic Director Jacques Heim and his LA based Diavolo Dance Theatre – Architecture in Motion. We just started a FB page I’ll take all the likes I can get! Visit facebook.com/shadowoftheflagfilm
