We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Tobler Hatfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Years back, my family commandeered a Tony Horton P90x quote and made it into a bit of a family motto: “Do your best and forget the rest.” Working in film and trying to get into acting especially- there’s only so much control you can have over your own career. It can be incredibly frustrating if you allow it to be, but if you remember that your work ethic and foundational belief in yourself are all you can rely on, those frustrations can turn into reengaged effort and curiosity (probably the most important elements to finding your place in this or any industry in my opinion). Do your best, and allow the rest to take care of itself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2015 after just graduating with a degree in film despite a passion and intention for acting. Not unlike many others, I arrived without a job, connections, acquaintances, prospects, very little money and no idea where/how to start. But I had faith and have done my best to persevere by whatever means available to me. So far, that’s looked like: so much work as a production assistant in almost every department that would have me on film crews, creating enormous balloon installations with conceptual artist Jihan Zencirli (Geronimo) as a balloon trooper, 24 hour days on event staffs, greeting at ArcLight (rip), cashiering at Vroman’s in Pasadena, being on a construction crew in Palo Alto, personal assisting many times over, and ultimately just remaining curious enough to put one foot in front of the other on the path without knowing exactly where it might lead. You may notice that I didn’t mention a lot of acting credits mixed in there. I’ve only just begun to feel momentum and get work acting, now 7 years into my journey. No two paths look the same but if you believe in yourself and keep going, any route or destination has the potentiality to get you where you’re trying to go. If you have faith in the future, an unshakeable work ethic, and are most importantly kind to those around you, I have total confidence you will get where you are trying to go, and am excited to continue to employ those tactics to the best of my ability in my own forward momentum.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When people come visit, it’s all about the food for me. I’d start the day with a morning bun from Tartine, have them choose between a Lucky Boy breakfast burrito or chilaquiles from Kitchen Mouse for brunch, head down to Malibu Seafood for the best fish and chips with a view, and then end the night at either Salsa and Beer with creamy chicken enchiladas or Toi on Sunset for Thai with an unbeatable vibe. To end the night, if one more bite could be had, I’d head to Guisados for literally any taco they have and especially a quesadilla with chorizo, or for the simple Los California Tacos on Fair Oaks for a late night treat.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mostly my best friend Hailey, who has lost hours of her life listening to me and supporting me when I lost sight of the long game enthusiasm.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6046797/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/AgpNBmfYvd4

Other: My most recent short film : https://vimeo.com/765034643/708565b186?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=17278265

Image Credits
Headshot: Dana Patrick Wideshot Cinematographer: Sam Sargeant

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