Amid Los Angeles fires, Hollywood production grinds to a halt: NPR

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The wildfires that have devastated vast swaths of Southern California have also disrupted the industry that makes the region famous: Hollywood. Many famous artists reported that wind-blown flames destroyed their homes. As Hollywood’s annual awards season kicks off, the fires have led to the cancellation of red carpet events, delayed long-awaited nominations announcements, and temporarily halted film production in the region.

Actor Billy Crystal was one of many stars Who reported missing his home in Pacific Palisades. “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,” he wrote in a joint statement. With the press.

“We are hurting for our friends and neighbors who also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy. Janice and I have lived in our home since 1979. We have raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our home was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cannot be taken away.”

Like his character on the show this is usFire destroyed actor Milo Ventimiglia’s house in Malibu. “I never miss art that imitates art.” He told CBSWhile visiting the ruins of what used to be the home he shared with his pregnant wife and their dogs.

Others, including Ricki Lake from Hairspray And Cary Elwes from princess bride, They also lost their homes.

The aftermath of the Palisades Fire in a photo taken on Friday, January 10.

Eric Thayer/Associated Press

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Eric Thayer/Associated Press

Many are also offering their support: Actress Jamie Lee Curtis announced that she, her husband, actor-director Christopher Guest, and their family have pledged $1 million to support wildfire relief efforts. Paramount also announced that it would donate $1 million to first responders.

Celebrities are just a small portion of those affected by the fires in the area. Nearly 30% of the nation’s film, television and motion picture workers live in this part of California, according to Reports from Otis College of Art and Design. This includes writers, editors, camera operators, makeup artists, behind-the-scenes caterers, and more.

Delays and cancellations as awards season begins

To stay out of potential danger — and to avoid appearing deaf to the deadly and devastating fires — star-studded red carpet events have been canceled this week. Amazon MGM Studios has canceled the Los Angeles premiere of its film UnstoppableThe story of wrestler Anthony Robles, starring Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez and Don Cheadle. Sony also canceled the planned premiere of the film One day of thema comedy set in Los Angeles starring Keke Palmer and SZA.

Apple TV+ canceled the much-anticipated season 2 premiere on Monday to cut. The channel said it would donate “to support relief efforts on the ground, and our thoughts and sincere support will remain with everyone affected by these tragic fires.”

The wildfires arrived just after the Golden Globes kicked off Hollywood’s awards season, upending the much-anticipated concert and event schedule for the coming months. The American Film Institute, which had planned to host its annual awards luncheon on Friday, postponed the event. The Critics’ Choice Awards, which were scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 12, have been postponed by two weeks.

The Producers Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America and the Society of Cinematographers of America delayed announcing their nominations for the upcoming awards by several days.

The Oscar nominees will have to wait, too. Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were originally scheduled to be announced on Friday, January 17. But in an email to members shared with NPR, the organization said the event will be postponed until January 19. “To those impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer wrote. “So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”

Actress Jean Smart, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series last weekend, has urged upcoming awards shows to cancel their telecast and donate their profits. “With all due respect, during Hollywood’s festive season, I hope that any of the networks broadcasting the upcoming awards will seriously consider not broadcasting them and donating the proceeds they would have generated to fire victims and firefighters,” Smart wrote on her page. Instagram account.

Production was temporarily halted as fires raged

Production in Los Angeles has actually slowed down in recent years. This week, many recordings were paused, and television productions were halted.

Late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! It was temporarily shut down and aired repeated episodes, as did Taylor Tomlinson’s episode after midnight; A planned reboot of the show Hollywood Squares It was pushed by CBS Television from that week to the next.

Award-winning Jean Smart series Hacks It was supposed to start filming its fourth season this week. But in a statement to NPR, NBCUniversal said it was one of the productions temporarily halted as part of its studios. Production was also temporarily halted for looting, Fits Los Angeles and Ted.

Robert Pietranton, a representative for Warner Bros., told NPR that it has temporarily closed its production area in Burbank, where Abbott Elementary, All of AmericaN, the new medical drama the househe would have been shot.

Some sound stages in Hollywood were threatened when fires tore through the Hollywood Hills and other areas of Southern California. As of Friday, they had not burned.

Los Angeles’ film permit office, FilmLA, sent out a warning to producers, “If prior to the fires you obtained permission from FilmLA to film in or near an evacuation zone, expect your permit to be revoked. New requests to film in or near these areas will be denied, until you instruct us.” Local permitting authorities otherwise.”

The wildfires added anxiety for filmmakers, performers, crew members and others in the industry who were already anxious about Hollywood productions leaving Los Angeles. In recent years, Canada and the United Kingdom have attracted many productions abroad, and states such as Georgia, New York and Illinois have offered generous tax breaks for filming of films and television shows on their own locations and sound studios.

In an effort to attract production to California, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed More than doubling the tax exemptions available to the state for television and film productionTo 750 million dollars annually. If passed, California would offer the second-most generous incentive package for productions in the country — after Georgia, which places no limit on the amount of tax breaks it gives filmmakers.

How to stay safe – and help

Resources to help stay safe:
➡️ Are you trying to stay safe in wildfires? There is an app that can help
➡️ What you should do — and what not to do — when you return home after a fire evacuation
➡️ How to protect yourself from forest fire smoke

Ways to support response and recovery:
➡️ Resources for SoCal fire victims, evacuees, and first responders
➡️ Were your loved ones affected by the Los Angeles fires? These wildfire resources may help