From the land of perpetual sun and governor recalls, Dr. Valerie Weiss checks in. Valerie Weiss, PhD. former Filmmaker-in-Residence at the Dudley House Film and Drama Program, Harvard University, gives her views on women in film and coastal relocation. Valerie moved to Los Angeles from Boston in July. Imagine contributor, Dave Widell, spoke with Weiss recently to find out how she's been adjusting to life away from the New England film scene.

Imagine: So, are you pretty well settled in out there?
Valerie: (laughter) Getting there, getting there. We [Valerie and her husband, actor Rob Johnson] still have some boxes to unpack. But, we're starting to feel like we live here.

I: What new projects are you involved with?
V: Primarily, I'm editing a film called I LOVE YOU, which I shot in June in Boston.

I: What's that about?
V: It's about a photographer who thinks that his girlfriend, who is his favorite model, is cheating on him. It's about relationships-- what we think is going on, and what's really going on.

I: When do you hope to finish it?
V: I'm getting pretty close. I hope to have a fine cut pretty soon. In the next month or two I hope to have it completely finished.

I: Are you planning a special New England showing?
V: I haven't planned anything yet, but I will be. I'd love to come back to the MFA or one of the other local theaters there and screen it.

I: Any other projects?
V: Yeah, I'm writing a feature. It's called LOSING CONTROL, and it's something I've been working on for awhile. I'm finding more time to sink my teeth into it out here.

I: What do you like most about living in Los Angeles?
V: I love so many things about living in LA. From a professional perspective-- how many people you meet on a daily basis. You are constantly coming into contact with actors, directors, studio executives-- everything, all the time, no matter where you go. It's the total opposite of Boston. It's really great.

I: And, what do you like the least?
V: Umm, I don't know. My head is still swimming with being new here.

I: In all the contacts that you're making are you finding any specific roadblocks for women?
V: Not so much. I do find that everywhere I go, peoples' first assumption is that I'm an actress, and not a director. I don't know really what to make of that.

I: What do you miss most about being the Filmmaker-in-Residence at Harvard?
V: I miss planning the seminar season. I loved meeting all the people that came to Dudley to speak, thinking about what the community might want to hear, and then planning a whole season around that. And, seeing all the regulars. It was really like a family, I think. So many people participated and they kept coming back. It was a great community.

I: So, do you miss Cambridge?
V: Oh, definitely. Something strange happens to you when you move to new place. Like there's a part of you that just thinks you're in a different neighborhood, and sometimes I feel like I can just get on the T and go back to Harvard Square.

I: Are there more editors and technical people available out there?
V: Oh, yes, there are so many talented people. And a lot of talented people that work for almost nothing. That's probably the most amazing thing besides meeting so many people-- the talent out here is incredible.

I: What directors do you consider role models?
V: Well, I love Pedro Almodovar and Andrzej Zulawski
I like Brian de Palma a lot, and I really like Alexander Payne.

I: How about women in film? Which ones inspire you, especially the ones behind the scenes?
V: I've been most inspired by the women I've worked with directly. Women like Karen Schmeer for one. I find myself talking to people about Karen's editing work out here. She did an amazing job with MY FATHER THE GENIUS and SAME RIVER TWICE. Also, cinematographer, Uta Briesewitz (NEXT STOP WONDERLAND, XX/XY, "The Wire"). Uta is very talented, incredibly hard-working, and really knows her craft. And, I like Rebecca Miller, I like her PERSONAL VELOCITY (2002 Sundance winner - Grand Jury Prize). Oh- Sofia Coppola. LOST IN TRANSLATION was excellent!

I: Do you have any advice for people coming West to make it in the industry?
V: Oh, yeah. Whether it's creative or production, certainly do something before you come out here. If you're an actor, have credits, take classes, know what you're doing before you get here. Directors, at least make a short. Writers, absolutely, have written a couple scripts. Because - you can't just show up and expect to work. And, even if you come prepared, it's hard to get people to notice you and look at your work. Do all your learning, make all your mistakes, develop your craft and your material in a city like Boston, which is very supportive, and the stakes aren't as high, and you don't just have one shot. Come ready to work! And, following from that, if you're prepared and you really know your stuff, and you're working hard and you feel ready then it's a great place to be, and there's really not so much to be afraid of, because people notice talent and respect hard work. So, I would say: do your homework before you come out.

I: How about specific advice for women that want to direct or produce?
V: Well, there aren't a lot of female stories out there, or films by women, and if you feel like your sensibility is different than what's out there, don't worry, trust it. And, really trust your own voice because people want to hear what's not being heard, and what's not already being heard. And, I guess, the other thing that's relevant for women is that they have a little bit more planning to do in terms of family, and the more realistic you are about your goals the more happy you are going to be.

I: Okay, last question. Seen any good movies lately?
V: Oh, yes. I just saw an amazing documentary called SISTER HELEN (2002 Sundance winner for Documentary Directing). It's about this woman who becomes a nun at the age of 56 because her husband and two sons had all died of drug and alcohol overdoses. And, she ran this halfway house in New York City - it's just intense - an incredible documentary. I also just saw Woody Allen's ANYTHING ELSE, which I loved.

I: Well, thank you so much for your time. Hope to be seeing you soon.
V: Thank you also!