The terrifying and tragic wildfires in Los Angeles are wreaking havoc on the Hollywood business. According to reports from Otis College of Art and Design, almost one-third of the country’s workforce in film and television is based in southern California. Most in-office meetings and on-location production work have been put on hold to allow workers to concentrate on their homes, health, and the well-being of their families, friends, and communities.
In the normal course of events, January would be full of events and announcements related to the industry’s awards season, which was kicked off last Sunday with the Golden Globes awards show. However, the tragic and ongoing wildfires have turned this schedule upside down, with the Critics’ Choice Awards presentation being postponed from Sunday, January 12th to Sunday, January 26th. The upcoming announcement of nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards, Producers’ Guild Awards, and Writers’ Guild Awards have all been postponed to later dates.
Dangerous conditions have also scuttled the LA premieres for several new movie releases, including the high-profile events for BETTER MAN, WOLF MAN, THE LAST SHOWGIRL, UNSTOPPABLE, and ONE OF THEM DAYS.
Even before this week, the Los Angeles film industry was uneasy about the trend for production work relocating out of the area, due to the increasing cost of doing business in Southern California. Steps have been taken recently to offer increased tax breaks to stem the flow. This week’s events will certainly present new challenges, at least in the short term.