Not all our BiLA members are from the UK. Case in point: Jessie McCormack from New York City, who moved to LA ‘many moons ago’ initially to pursue acting but then shifted into writing and directing.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I wanted to be the first person to move here in hopes of breaking into the entertainment industry. I really think of myself as a pioneer that way.
What do you miss most from home?
I miss Central Park. And irony. But mostly I miss the New York of my youth which is nothing like the city it is now. In truth I love living in L.A. (for the most part) and feel very lucky to have landed here.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
When I first arrived San Vicente Blvd confused the hell out of me. That hasn’t really changed.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus New York City?
In New York there are way too many pedestrians and they’re all looking down at their phones while walking directly into traffic. In Los Angeles there are no pedestrians to speak of but there are still hordes of abandoned scooters littering the sidewalks. It’s like a scene from “The Leftovers”.
Also, the way one experiences sunlight is very different (and not just in terms of weather). The multitude of cookie-cutter skyscrapers popping up in NY are casting these enormous shadows (literally) across the city. Soon large swaths of Manhattan will only be seen in silhouette. Conversely, in L.A. there are certain times of day when the light takes on this gorgeous hue. Of course that’s largely because of the toxic, polluted air we’re breathing into our lungs but at least we’ll all die looking at pretty pink clouds.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I realize it’s not a hidden gem but I just can’t say enough about the Hollywood Bowl. Going there is a magical, communal experience that will never get old for me. But parking is a nightmare so I usually take a Lyft to Hollywood and Highland and then walk the rest of the way. Wearing comfy shoes is a priority.
Also, I just learned (like this second) that morning rehearsals at the Bowl are free and open to the public!
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
I might suggest subletting a place for six months – maybe even a year – before settling into a more permanent housing situation. That way you can really get a lay of the land and decide what neighborhood suits you/your family best. Plus it might behoove you to hold off on uprooting your entire life until you know how you’ll tolerate the traffic and car culture in general. It’s not for everyone. But a better suggestion might be to take heart. Many native New Yorkers who grew up solely relying on public transportation don’t even think twice about all of the driving here. That should give anyone hope (at least I hope it does).
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 can’t recall but here’s a soupçon of my own advice: Get a dog. Pick up the shite of said dog. Carve out time to cultivate your friendships. Maintain a sense of humor. Don’t park askew (if I see you taking up more than one parking space I might have to key “USA! USA!” across the hood of your car). Use your turn signal. Play the long game. Bring a winter jacket – it gets cold here at night (nobody tells you this). In a city that worships youth, be kind to old people and listen to their stories. And avoid San Vicente (obviously).
Lastly, how can we find out more about you ? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I shot a culture-clash comedy/web series in London called “Piss Off, I Love You”, which I’m hoping to turn into a TV show. I’m also writing a comedy feature partly inspired by “A Fish Called Wanda”, one of my favorite movies. In case it wasn’t clear, I am a devoted Anglophile!
