{"id":19311,"date":"2016-05-28T10:20:27","date_gmt":"2016-05-28T17:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.british-weekly.com\/?p=19311"},"modified":"2016-05-28T10:20:27","modified_gmt":"2016-05-28T17:20:27","slug":"meet-a-member-waleed-elgadi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.british-weekly.com\/?p=19311","title":{"rendered":"Meet a Member: Waleed Elgadi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet Waleed Elgadi from London who moved to LA four months ago to pursue acting.<\/em><\/p>\n

How did you end up in\u00a0Los Angeles?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"bila-mam\"I came out to LA in 2013 to dip my toe and see if me and the city got along. I was seduced by its charms very quickly, especially after meeting industry folk who where\u00a0encouraging and said I should get my working papers and make the move. I set about getting here much earlier but work in\u00a0the UK kept me busy on that side of the Atlantic which I was grateful for. I then had a run of jobs which were all US productions so it seemed to make sense\u00a0that I should be in the US. Last year I finally buckled down to getting my papers and here I am.<\/p>\n

What do you miss most from home?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The usual, family, friends, and I never thought I\u2019d say this but the underground! I was in NY recently with work and it was so nice to be able to get anywhere in the city so\u00a0quickly\u00a0on the subway. Although I uber\/lyft everywhere here and it\u2019s nice to be able to take in\u00a0the sights of\u00a0this beautiful city rather than having to worry about missing your turning on the 101! Also the theatre, I miss the theatre back home\u00a0a lot.<\/p>\n

What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since ? If so why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opportunities seem to be endless here – that hasn\u2019t changed. The industry will take you at your face value rather than your pedigree. If you can do the job and you are a fit for what they are looking for, you will book it. That\u2019s refreshing. Also I really believe in kismet and I\u2019m constantly astounded by the randomness of this city and how it seems like there is a certain energy that\u2019s pushing it. I feel like I\u2019ve learned a lot about myself and the industry over here already but I also realise I\u2019m only just scratching the surface. Also my first impressions where that this was a place that you had to work hard at, that hasn\u2019t changed, but I\u2019m also learning to have fun and enjoy the ride a little more rather than just being a workhorse. A colleague once told me\u00a0\u2018LA is not so much a city but a big office where everyday is casual Friday.\u201d I think that\u2019s so true, learning to strike\u00a0the\u00a0balance is key.<\/p>\n

What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everything is different. The weather, the people, the architecture, the sense of humour. Mostly I\u2019m glad for it although sometimes I miss Sunday Roasts by a pub fireplace and then wrapping myself in a coat before going out. The grass is always greener I guess…<\/p>\n

Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not sure I\u2019m an authority since I\u2019ve been here for such a short while, or whether any of these will be particularly hidden but if you haven\u2019t been to the Broad Museum yet, go. It\u2019s like the Tate Modern on steroids. Then go to Grand Central Market after for foodie delights. That\u2019s a nice day out downtown. I live in Silverlake and I\u2019m a bit of a foodie, so wonderful discoveries have been Pine and Crane for out of this world delicious Chinese\/Taiwanese (get the Dan Dan noodles – you\u2019ll thank me). Musso and Franks in Hollywood has the best Spaghetti Meatballs and Lemondrop Cocktails I\u2019ve ever tasted – its also apparently the oldest restaurant in LA and is full of history and old Hollywood glamour.\u00a0 The sunsets at Venice to the soundtrack of the drums circle is a pretty special experience too.<\/p>\n

What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move\u00a0here?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do your research well. Decide why it is exactly you want to come here and then do it. LA is an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

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?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The things that we say to ourselves in the mirror we wouldn\u2019t dare say to our worst enemy” Be kind to yourself. In LA especially it\u2019s really important to remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Lastly, how can we find out more about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My website is waleedelgadi.com<\/a> and you can follow me on twitter @waleedelgadi Instagram @waleedium or my FB page\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/waleed.elgadi\/<\/a> . Currently I have a movie playing in US theatres called \u2018A Hologram For The King\u2019 where I play the character Sayed alongside Tom Hanks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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