Meet Bianca Bagatourian from London who moved to
LA 20 years ago to pursue writing.
Was
there a particular reason you chose LA?
I actually left LA and spent time in New York in the theatre scene and then
Boston before returning. After New York, the obvious place for a writer was LA.
Plus, I like the sunshine and the casual lifestyle. It’s easier to concentrate
on work when you’re not thinking about shoveling snow from your driveway every
hour. The great thing about LA is that you can drive to the desert or the
mountains in a couple of hours or go somewhere like Solvang for Christmas-time.
There is so much choice.
What do you miss most from home?
I’ve been back and forth for over 20 years. I used to miss more before iPlayer
and being able to buy Marmite at my local store. Now, besides my friends, I
miss the free museums, galleries and the fact that artists are more respected.
I miss Hampstead Heath. I’m not really a beach person. I miss the fact that
more people read the paper in the UK. I miss a sense of which is why I like
Brits in LA Which promote community building.
What was your first impression of LA and
has it changed since ?
LA has changed a lot in the past decades, and for the better. It’s more
cosmopolitan
with different ethnicities adding their culture and richness to the fabric.
It’s amazing how many different kinds of cuisine you can find now. I also find
Americans are more
open now, but I find that is mainly in the LA area. I think they are less so
outside the city centers.
What do you find the biggest difference
is living here versus London?
It’s funny, I stepped off the plane in Heathrow last week and a lovely older
lady asked me if I could help her put her backpack on. I don’t know why it struck
me, but it was an immediate reminder that I’ve always felt that people in the
UK are more empathetic and the elderly are more integrated into communities.
Here they’re more segregated and age-ism truly exists. This may not be case for
the rest of the US, LA being the epicenter of materialism, but I do feel that
the UK is a kinder society on the whole.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want
to share with us?
Well, I’m a writer so all my hidden gems are writing spots! I love working at
the Writers Guild library – so inspiring. I like the hidden cave in the back of
the Bourgeois Pig coffee shop in Franklin Village. (More screenplays have been written
there than anywhere in LA). And one of my favorite haunts Is the downtown Central
Library which is such a cool old building.
What would you suggest to others who are
thinking about making the move here?
The main thing I like about America is the opportunities. In the UK, especially
artistically, you can feel like you’ve
hit the ceiling with nowhere to go. America provides thousands of directions if
you were willing to chase them. It is still the land of
opportunity. I think the ideal situation, if you’re fortunate enough, is to be
able to live in both places.
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’ve always had a hard time understanding the concept of borders. I wish people
could live wherever suits their personalities and interests. Barring that, I think travel is the best
education. I’ve traveled extensively to
places like Africa, China and Japan and throughout the Middle East. We’re lucky, to be living in an era where we’re
able to
experience the whole world – so much better than on a digital screen.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the
moment?
I have a play premiering July 30th at the Park Theater in London called The Time of our Lies. It’s sponsored by Susan Sarandon, Diane Lane, and Eddie Vedder. It stars Daniel Benzali who’s one hell of an actor, (from the Murder One series) an guest stars Colin Salmon (Krypton) on August 2nd The play was nominated for the Amnesty International prize at the Edinburgh Fringe where Viggo Mortensen was co-producer.
It’s about late American historian Howard Zinn whose book, The People’s History of the United States refocused the narrative of this country and told history from the point of view of the people. If you are in London, please catch it.
Discount code for members: “PEACE.”
For more about me and the play visit biancabagatourian.com or timeofourlies.com
