Los Angeles fires deliver latest blow to embattled Hollywood

As Los Angeles becomes engulfed in wildfires that resemble a blockbuster disaster film, the city's massive entertainment industry is already tallying the devastating expenses that its workers, with already limited financial resources, can hardly absorb.

We are witnessing a dire situation. Those within the film industry, including actors, crew members, writers, and producers, are facing uncertain futures due to the loss of their residences. Domestic film and television productions have been put on hold, and there is growing demand for the cancellation of this year's award ceremonies.

The city's entertainment industry, worth $115 billion to the local economy, is facing big challenges. Due to high costs, some movie and TV production companies are choosing to film elsewhere. The pandemic, as well as labor disputes, have also had a negative impact on the industry in recent times.

"Hollywood, like the rest of the world, was severely impacted by the pandemic, with far-reaching effects on the industry," said Marc Malkin, senior culture and events editor for trade magazine Variety.

The electric power outages have been compounded by the multiple wildfires, which are severely affecting the region.

Celebrities including Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal have had their properties destroyed during the recent wildfires.

But that's only the beginning, with thousands of houses destroyed across a city where nearly 680,000 people work in entertainment-related or service jobs that support this field.

"Grey's Anatomy," "NCIS," "Hacks," and "Fallout" are among more than a dozen Los Angeles-based TV productions that have halted filming since the fires started.

Areas of the city where large film production studios are situated, such as Burbank, have been at risk from the wildfires, but remain unaffected so far.

Film LA, the organization managing permissions for outdoor movie and TV shoots, advised producers to "expect to have your permit canceled" in case of shoots in or near evacuation zones. It also warned that on-set safety supervisors would be relatively scarce.

The entire region is heavily shrouded in dense smoke and soot, not just local film productions.

"Currently, shooting outdoors in Los Angeles is not going well due to very poor air quality," said Malkin.

'Glitz-and-glamor'

No official date has been announced for the resumption of productions. Besides numerous logistical concerns, the industry must take into account the perception of returning to normal operations amidst large areas of Los Angeles still on fire.

Nowhere is this issue more delicate than with Hollywood's ongoing award season - a prolonged series of high-profile premieres, galas and prize-giving ceremonies that has been put on hold momentarily.

Awards shows like the Critics Choice Awards have been postponed, whereas premieres for movies such as "The Last Showgirl" starring Pamela Anderson and the biopic "Better Man", revolving around Robbie Williams, were canceled last week.

The cancellations also reached New York, where a premiere for the popular Apple TV show "Severance" was cancelled.

"The studios and streamers have chosen the right course of action by canceling or postponing these elaborate events," said Malkin.

For people to walk the red carpet, all flashy and glamorous, while Los Angeles is literally and figuratively ablaze... it would be quite jarring to hear people either commenting on their attire or that trivial anecdote.

The announcement of this year's Oscars nominees has been postponed even to the point of being delayed in broadcast on television.

"Our community in Los Angeles, including many of our members and colleagues from the industry, are on our minds," Academy CEO Bill Kramer wrote in a message to members.

Actor Jean Smart has suggested taking the drastic step of canceling the entire season.

"With all due respect, during Hollywood's award season, I suggest that the networks broadcasting the upcoming awards ceremonies refrain from doing so and instead donate the generated revenue to the victims of the fires and the firefighters," Smart wrote on Instagram.

While few in the entertainment industry are in the mood for celebrating, Malkin warned that canceling the entire season would have severe and far-reaching consequences for hair-and-makeup artists, waiters, drivers, and security staff.

"Yes, the celebrities are likely to be fine, financially," he stated.

However, considering all the individuals involved in organizing these various award shows, many of whom rely on these events for their income, a schedule shift of this scale would undoubtedly have a severely negative impact.