Beverley to LA and back again: Justine Glenton produces film after return to Yorkshire
Justine Glenton admits that moving to Los Angeles as an actor at 50 is a little later in life than most people, but without it, she might not be creating work right here at home in Yorkshire.
Beverley-born Justine and her colleague Vanja Penca have teamed up to run the recently created independent company Just Be Productions, based in North Ferriby, near Hull in East Yorkshire.
The production company is behind Is Anybody There?, a 20-minute ‘proof of concept’ film – meaning it is ready to be extended into a television series or feature film – which Justine wrote.
A private screening took place at Parkway Cinema in Beverley last month and there will be another on Sunday, September 27.
Justine, 60, started her acting career in the area before heading to London and later the USA. When she was beginning, though, she gained experience from Hull Truck.
“In order to work for them, you had to do a youth training scheme – that was my dedication. So, at 16, I went and did four weeks learning how to put windows in buildings and wearing fiberglass shoes so I could get to work at the theatre on this training scheme, and that was invaluable because , you did the box office for one month, you did stage management, working behind the scenes.”
But, she says: “I always wanted to be an actress from a very young age, and did everything locally that I possibly could. And through that, the Hull City Council gave me a grant to go to drama school in London, and the rest is kind of history.”
Early television credits included the British television version of House of Cards in 1990 and later The Bill, Coronation Street, Doctors and Casualty alongside a number of art film credits.
"When I was 50, I ended up doing a film that took me to the States, and there people said ‘stay’. I was like, ‘That's ridiculous to be in LA at 50, maybe at 24’. But anyway, I did, and it was kind of invaluable. I was there for six years on and off with two work visas, andthat's when I started writing this script that's been living with me, really over 30 years, and I kind of found my voice over there, and the courage. And due to family illness and wanting to do the production, I came back to Yorkshire and have been here for the last five or six years, and here we are today.”
Is Anybody There? is set in the 1930s, 70s and 90s and focuses on protagonist Grace Williamson, who is trapped in a coercive relationship and slowly losing her sense of self.
Justine and the team pulled out all the stops and it was filmed at the Hotham Hall Estate and Everingham Park, directed by Michael Lacey, who recently shot episodes of Silent Witness.
“I really believe that you kind of put your money where your mouth is,” says Justine. “If you don't invest in yourself, why should anybody else?”
Email [email protected] to request a ticket to the screening at noon on September 27.