Meet Zenith Ander from Sydney, Australia (via Dundee, Scotland) who moved to LA four years ago to continue her work as an actor and writer in the film industry.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
The entertainment industry isn’t a sub-culture here, and that is a total treat coming from places where the industry is small and a niche place to work.
What do you miss most from home?
Moving away from home allows a lot of new experiences and a chance to grow in all aspects of yourself. Sometimes being out of your comfort zone really pushes you to achieve what you have been too comfortable to rise to – LA certainly has done that for me. When I do visit home, I love going to my favorite haunts, and of course catching up with my favorite people.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
The first time I came to LA (as an adult) was at the end of a month of traveling around New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, and LA was a bit of a smash in the face after being in the desert and so remote for so long. That has changed since moving here, as I spend my down time often in Griffith Park with my dog, and that can feel like a total escape from the city, and it’s right there!
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus Sydney?
LA reminds me a lot of Sydney in a lot of ways, particularly the weather and the aesthetic obsession of people, but LA is far more interesting and diverse. Sydney is cleaner. Much, much cleaner. As far as differences between LA and Dundee, well, literally everything! Both cities are super cultural and art-focused though, unlike Sydney which is quite devoid of artistic culture to be honest… Sydney is the capital of the film industry in Australia however, so it is similar in that respect.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I do really like The London in West Hollywood rooftop a lot. The London is BAFTA LA HQ, and on a summer day, that place is where it is at. Amazing view, and cabanas to lounge by the pool!
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Find your tribe! I’m grateful to have been accepted into BAFTA Los Angeles soon after my move here, and that has really opened a lot of doors, both professionally and personally. Many of my closest friends in LA I met through organisations here. There is a cool correlation in LA where making friends with the same passions as yourself show up in professional places. Being raised in Australia has opened doors for me too through Australians in Film. Find your people.
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?
Only plan to do one thing a day in LA. Between the traffic, the heat and the fascinating, earnest folks that you will come across on any endeavor out of your house, planning to not do much in one day is the key to enduring LA!
Lastly, how can we find out more about you?
2020 is set to be a huge year for me. I will be finally making my show for which I did a successful Indiegogo raise. There are so many things in the pipeline that I can’t talk about yet, so stay tuned!
You can find me on IMDb, on instagram @zenith_ander or at zenithander.com
