On January 5, a renowned talent agent left a post-Golden Globes party early to catch up on work that had piled up over the holidays.
Two days later, that mansion was destroyed by wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, as well as a portion of Malibu. The work that felt so urgent just hours before didn’t seem as important in the face of tremendous personal loss.
That sentiment was shared throughout the entertainment business, which was severely impacted by the disaster, with people left homeless by fires at every media organization, talent agency, and public relations firm, including the highest levels. Non-urgent meetings have been rescheduled, crucial decisions have been postponed, and work has migrated to remote or hybrid as hundreds of employees under evacuation orders were forced to leave or be prepared to do so at any time.
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While Deadline has received a couple of complaints about individual departments allegedly forcing staffers to work under duress, including while evacuated, there has been a prevalent sense of camaraderie and people showing up for each other across the industry, whether it is executives keeping scheduled meetings just to check in on colleagues and make sure they are OK or a boss stepping in to help a lower-level staffer who has lost their home navigate insurance companies, The big studios and talent agencies have offered displaced employees free or cheap temporary lodging. CAA granted its employees Friday off following an emotionally exhausting week.
“I have not seen people come together like this since Covid,” one entertainment executive observed.
Flexibility is set to continue in the coming days, with evacuated employees in Los Angeles given the option of working from home.
Local TV production, which was halted in the early days of the fires, has restarted, primarily indoors, as air quality in many parts of Los Angeles remains hazardous. There are frequently accommodations for cast and crew. For example, people affected by the fires or unable to safely travel to the set of CBS Studios shows are not obligated to do so while earning their regular income.
“People are being mindful that we need to take care of below-the-line workers who just came out of a pandemic and two strikes and are finally getting on their feet,” a television executive told me. “We have to make sure not to derail that too much while also making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable.”
One of the popular slogans during the post-strike, industry contraction-impacted 2024 was “Survive Til 2025.” While there was some uncertainty recently about whether the much-needed Hollywood rebound would happen this year or later, there was still hope and excitement. During the Golden Globes parties just a week ago, streaming executives discussed intentions to increase buying in January and give green lights in February.
With so many writers, producers, directors, their representatives, and executives at all levels affected by the fires, it has been difficult to concentrate on day-to-day buying and selling, with many in the industry still reeling from the enormity and gravity of the devastation, which has affected almost everyone in Hollywood directly or indirectly. Trying to continue with job may be challenging for a while.
“Some people can’t get used to going to work,” a film distribution veteran stated. “What are your thoughts on work in light of everything that is going on? “So many things are being pushed.”
Things should return to normal eventually, albeit it may take some time. “There’s no telling when things will return to normal, whatever that means right now,” an agency insider stated.
While being cautious, an L.A.-based film sales and finance executive took a different approach. “It’s still too early to know the impact on the business,” the person said. “What is certain is that this will have a negative impact on the already struggling Los Angeles economy. The next couple of weeks may be slower than normal, but I don’t expect many projects to be postponed.
Because of the personal tragedy experienced by so many Angelenos who were left with only the clothes on their backs, entertainment companies have withheld announcements, and nearly every major Hollywood event over the past week has been canceled or postponed, including film and TV premieres and award nominations.
Unfortunately, awards season has put to a halt since celebrating is the last thing anyone wants to do right now. That will be tested at the forthcoming Sundance Film Festival, which begins its 2025 edition in ten days.
“There is likely to be some impact,” one festival regular said of the event’s timing so close to the fires. “Some cast and industry may have been impacted already so will be thinking about rebuilding their homes and others may not want to leave their homes given concerns about fires, looting and burglary.”
The festival will have to tread a fine line between a business mourning its own loss and striving to keep going.
“It’s devastating to see so many people — including friends — affected in this way,” remarked a top international seller. “Sundance is moving towards us, but our packing has remained undisturbed. It feels more vital than ever to get into the film industry.”
While Sundance is only a few days away, a lot may happen between now and then, with evacuation orders still in effect and winds rising up to dangerous levels again this week, leading many in Hollywood to take a wait-and-see approach.
“We all know people who have lost their homes, everything they own, so it’s hard to focus on more than that, especially if you are someone who has lost your home,” a member of the agency’s leadership said. “There is too much uncertainty to think beyond the next few days.”
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