Hollywood Hits Pause: LA Fires Force Productions to Halt

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The wildfires that have wreaked havoc across vast areas of Southern California have also affected the industry that makes the region renowned: Hollywood. Numerous prominent artists have indicated that the swiftly spreading flames have obliterated their homes. And just as the annual Hollywood award season commenced, the fires led to the cancellation of red carpet events, postponements of eagerly awaited nomination announcements, and temporary interruptions in film production within the vicinity.

Actor Billy Crystal was among many celebrities who disclosed losing his residence, located in Pacific Palisades. “Words cannot express the magnitude of the destruction we are witnessing and undergoing,” he stated in a message released to the media.

“We mourn for our friends and neighbors who have similarly experienced loss of their homes and businesses due to this disaster. Janice and I have resided in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every corner of our dwelling was filled with affection. Beautiful memories that are irreplaceable.”

Reflecting his character in the show This is Us, actor Milo Ventimiglia’s house in Malibu was engulfed by flames. “It’s not lost on me, art reflecting reality,” he shared with CBS, while surveying the remains of what was once the home he resided in with his expectant wife and their dogs.

Other individuals, such as Ricki Lake from Hairspray and Cary Elwes from The Princess Bride, have also faced similar losses.

Numerous individuals are extending their assistance: Actress Jamie Lee Curtis announced that she and her husband, actor and director Christopher Guest, along with their family, have pledged $1 million to aid wildfire relief initiatives. Paramount has also declared a $1 million contribution to first responders.

Famous personalities represent merely a small fraction of those in the area who have faced the impact of the fires. Almost 30% of the nation’s film and television workforce resides in this part of California, according to findings from Otis College of Art and Design. This includes behind-the-scenes writers, editors, camera operators, makeup artists, caterers, and several others.

Delays and cancellations as award season begins

To avoid potential risks – and to steer clear of appearing insensitive to the deadly and damaging fires — star-studded red carpet events were canceled this week. Amazon MGM Studios called off its Los Angeles premiere of the film Unstoppable, detailing the story of wrestler Anthony Robles, featuring Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, and Don Cheadle. Sony, too, canceled its slated premiere of the film One of Them Days, a comedy set in Los Angeles starring Keke Palmer and SZA.

Apple TV+ scrapped its anticipated Monday premiere for the upcoming second season of Severance. The streaming service stated it would contribute “to support the relief efforts on the ground, and our thoughts and heartfelt support are with all those affected by these tragic fires.”

The wildfires emerged just after the Golden Globes marked the beginning of the Hollywood award season.

season, disrupting a much-awaited agenda of galas and activities for the approaching months. The American Film Institute, which intended to hold an annual awards luncheon on Friday, has postponed that gathering. The Critics Choice Awards, initially set for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been rescheduled for two weeks later.

The Producers Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America, and the American Society of Cinematographers have postponed the announcement of their nominations for the upcoming awards by several days.

Oscar contenders will also face a delay. Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were originally planned to be revealed on Friday, Jan. 17. However, in a communication to members shared with NPR, the organization indicated that this announcement will now occur on Jan. 19. “We want to express our sincerest condolences to those affected by the tragic fires throughout Southern California,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer. “Many of our members and industry associates reside and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are keeping you in our thoughts.”

Actress Jean Smart, who received the Golden Globe award for best actress in a TV comedy last weekend, urged forthcoming award shows to cancel their broadcasts and contribute their profits. “With ALL due respect, amid Hollywood’s celebratory season, I hope any of the networks broadcasting the upcoming awards will genuinely contemplate NOT airing them and donating the revenue they would have collected to the victims of the fires and the firefighting teams,” Smart shared on her Instagram account.

Productions halted as fires blaze

Filming in Los Angeles had already diminished in recent years. This week, numerous shoots were paused, and television production reached a standstill.

The late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended and aired repeat episodes, as did Taylor Tomlinson’s After Midnight; a planned reboot of Hollywood Squares was moved by CBS TV from this week to the following week.

Jean Smart’s award-winning series Hacks was meant to commence filming its fourth season this week. Yet, in a statement to NPR, NBCUniversal confirmed it was among the productions temporarily halted at its studios. Filming was also paused for Loot, Suits LA, and Ted.

Robert Pietranton, a spokesperson from Warner Bros., informed NPR that it temporarily closed its Burbank production lot, where Abbott Elementary, All American, and the new medical series The Pitt, would have been filmed.

Some Hollywood sound stages were at risk when fires ignited in the Hollywood Hills and other areas of Southern California. As of Friday, they remained unscathed.

Los Angeles’ film permitting office, FilmLA, issued a warning to producers, stating, “If prior to the fires you received authorization from FilmLA to film in or near an evacuation zone, prepare for your permit to be revoked. New requests to film in or near these locations will be denied until local permitting authorities inform us otherwise.”

The wildfires have intensified concerns for filmmakers, performers, crew members, and others in the industry who have already been anxious about Hollywood productions relocating from Los Angeles. In recent years, Canada and the United Kingdom have attracted numerous productions abroad, while states including Georgia, New York, and Illinois have provided generous tax incentives to film movies and TV shows at their locations and studios.

To entice productions back to California, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed more than doubling the state’s available tax incentives for TV and film productions, to $750 million annually. If approved, California would offer the second most generous incentive package for production in the country – surpassed only by Georgia, which imposes no cap on the amount of tax credits it provides filmmakers.

How to ensure safety — and help

Resources for safety:
➡️ Need assistance during a wildfire? An app is available to help
➡️ What actions to take — and not take — after you return home post-evacuation
➡️ How to protect yourself against wildfire smoke

Ways to aid in the response and recovery efforts:
➡️ Resources for SoCal fire victims, evacuees, and first responders
➡️ Have loved ones affected by LA Fires? These wildfire resources could be beneficial