Meet Martin Lewis from London who moved to L.A. 32 years ago to pursue his career as a producer.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I moved from London to New York in 1982. Adored the energy level and the positivism – such a change from the cynicism in the UK of that era. After six years of NYC, I thought I’d try L.A. – just for a few weeks as an experiment. I blinked – and 32 years later I’m still here! Hollywood is a very seductive mistress! The weather and the environment contributed to my choice…
What do you miss most from home?
My Mum – 97 years young and still a pistol! Draught cider. Real crumpets. Bramley apples. Silverside of beef. Hampstead Heath. Hendon FC. (I think they’re in the Alpine Double-Glazing League now…)
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
My first visit was 1974 and it was desperately provincial back then. Like Doncaster – but without the sophistication. Pleasant to look at – but slow and sleepy. That changed rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s with the influx of East-Coasters and Europeans. It rapidly became metropolitan-chic. Sometimes going too far: e.g. “your dish will be served on a bed of wilted, mesquite-grilled cilantro with a drizzle of raspberry-balsamic vinaigrette…” We have a whip-smart contemporary city. Like Bournemouth but with sunshine. (And without the Bournemouth part.)
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?
Waking up in a city that has a smile on its face. It may be a delusional, sun-kissed, therapist-induced, pill-enhanced smile – but I’ll take that over the gloomy miserablism that permeated London in the 1970s and 1980s. I know that London has changed since then – but the veneer of 90s Brit-Pop, London Eye and a slew of Gordon Ramsay restaurants hasn’t covered up the sad mood lurking below the surface. L.A. may be the Shallow End… But it’s a SUNNY shallow End!
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
That question is a staple of these types of articles. You list your favorite nook and the next week your Shangri-La is over-run by the very people whose absence made the place so special! That said – my favorite place is the Hollywood Hills. Exploring the little roads and byways in a convertible. Savoring the area’s long history as a bohemian enclave. Listening to something really incongruous to the surroundings. Such as Stanley Holloway singing “With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm” – a 1934 paean to Anne Boleyn! (I expect to see multiple cars cruising Laurel Canyon soon – all blaring out the sounds of Stanley Holloway!)
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Leave your hometown behind – except as a fond memory to be nurtured occasionally late at night. Have an open mind to the charms, beauty, quirkiness – and even to the inanities (acupressure, “rolfing”, bizarre cleansing procedures!). If they work for you – go for it. If they don’t – you’ll have a funny anecdote to share.
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?
In 1990 I was at a career crossroads. Should I continue producing? Return to my earlier terrains of journalism, or publicity and marketing? Or pursue a path I was being encouraged to explore – as a performing humorist. I visited an esteemed elder of the Hollywood tribe to seek advice. “What should I do?” I asked him. He turned it around in a Hollywood minute. “You’re asking the wrong question” he told me. “The only question that matters is what do you WANT to do? The rest is immaterial to your happiness.” He was 100% right. Follow his advice. Always ask yourself “What do I WANT to do?”
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
dMy life-story is far too long! Until I finish my autobiography – there’s always Wikipedia! I’m currently working on something happening in L.A. starting next Thursday (October 10th). I’m producing/hosting a big film festival celebrating multiple anniversaries relating to my pals in Monty Python. It’s their 50th anniversary… the 40th of “Life of Brian” and the 40th of the studio that George Harrison started to fund that film – which led to George producing films such as “Time Bandits,” “Mona Lisa.” “Withnail and I” and “Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.” All of which we’re showing on the big screen. Much better than this current trend of watching movies on your electric toothbrush. All the details are on the website www.ModsAndRockers.com. With a 15% ticket discount to members of the Brits In L.A. Facebook group!
