We had the good fortune of connecting with Janine Gateland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janine, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
Moving from the UK to California. I’d say it was the most scariest and difficult thing i’ve ever done in my life. I left my family, friends and everything I know behind. I didn’t really know anyone here. I’d visited briefly for 3 weeks and loved it! It took me 3 years to plan, save and move over but it was the best decision i’ve ever made for my career and life. Plus the constant sunshine is a huge advantage. When I arrived, I was so scared, it was like a slap in the face. A huge OMG what have I done moment lol. It took me at least 3 months to settle and work my way around the very vast LA and at least a few years to settle properly. I am so lucky, i’ve got the sun to wake up to, beach, mountains all not far away. It’s a beautiful place to work and live.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an actress and voice artist. I guess the first thing that sets me apart from others living in LA, is i’m a Brit. So I stand out like a saw thumb! Apart from acting I love producing. I’m quite the geek with my love for spreadsheets, tables, lists and organizing! The work I’m most proud of is a horror film I co-produced, wrote and stared alongside two other females. ‘F***, Marry, Kill’ became a really successful film and won many awards at festivals around the world. The film premiered at Sunscreen Film Festival in Hermosa Beach, CA. It has continued to win awards at many festivals including Los Angeles Movie Awards in Hollywood, Fabulosis Short Film Night in London, Aab International Film Festival, India, Hollywood Verge Film Awards and Los Angeles Cinefest. It was an extremely hard road to get where I am today. I trained at a British drama school and continued to do acting classes, dance classes, singing classes as you have to keep brushing up on your skills. It’s a hard career because you face so many rejections and set backs. So you have to be tough skinned and have enough passion for the art to push on through. I’m proud of the work I achieved back in the UK and the work i’ve accomplished here in LA. I did a number of theater shows in the UK and a very successful one here in Hollywood. Some of the films and shows i’ve been in have been at a number of festivals around the world and a few have ended up on Amazon Prime; including drama TV series ‘To The Bitter End: Behind Closed Doors’. We are due to shoot season 2 in 2021 on location at Big Bear which will be fun. I play a British army nurse and wife who comes to America in search of her dead husbands family, to claim her inheritance! Evelyn Bishop is a sophisticated, strong and confident woman who won’t let anyone get in her way. Moving away from home was hard at first, but got much easier as time went on. I’m from a small village in Yorkshire, in the North of England where most people stay. I moved to London for drama school and then went on to spend 8 more years there before heading 5500 miles to Los Angeles to continue my career. I’ve learnt to not let negative comments from those that don’t understand your passion, get in your way. If I did, I wouldn’t have even left Yorkshire! You have to follow your gut instinct and follow your dreams and set goals along the way to get there. Don’t listen to anyone else, just do it! I’m really excited for 2021 as i’ve a number of leading roles in movies and tv series coming up. Watch this space!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ahhh there are so many places!! Ok so, i’d say my most favorite place is Malibu. You feel like you are on vacation just driving down the PCH – its so beautiful. You have to visit Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. I also love Point Dume as there is a cute bar/restaurant called The Sunset Restaurant and it is the most heavenly place to watch the sunset go down too. I love driving down the coast through Orange County. My fav is Laguna Beach as it has such a great vibe and beautiful views and beaches. I really like Chateau Mamont in West Hollywood for brunch or lunch. It’s pretty swanky and has the most gorgeous courtyard to dine out in too. If you’re into art then of course the Getty Center and you can see amazing views of LA. The Observatory is lovely too to walk around and stunning views of Downtown and the rest of LA. Oh and I love going horse ridding at Sunset Ranch around the Hollywood sigh which is so much fun. I also love walking through the trails at Griffith Park. My favorite places for lunch are Aroma Coffee and Tea in Studio City and Alcove Cafe & Bakery in Los Feliz – both have really nice outside eating in their courtyards.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My acting coach who i’ve known over 20 years. Kathryn Hanks coached and mentored me in getting into drama school. A very gifted lady who I will always be forever grateful. She’s always been so supportive of my career and we’ve stayed in touch. Whenever i’m home in the UK, we always make sure to catch up over dinner. More recently my mentor Brian Patacca who is a life and career coach. He runs an accountability group which is so supportive and fulfilling. He’s extremely talented, knowledgable and helps you reach your goals whilst keeping you positive. Especially during the current situation we all face with Covid. He keeps me positive and its so uplifting to be part of a group where you don’t feel alone while the industry is shut down. Instead its great to be proactive during this quiet time and he certainly keeps us on our toes.

Website: https://janinegateland.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janinegateland/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanineGateland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actressjaninegateland/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Other: IMDb https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773149/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Image Credits
Yulia Kosynskaya www.unicorn-productions.us Paul Smith Photography Joseph Sinclair Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.