When the Palisades Fire erupted in Los Angeles last Tuesday, it coincided with a bustling awards season in Hollywood. Just two days prior, the Golden Globes had taken place, and an array of extravagant awards celebrations were scheduled in the following days.
However, the scale of devastation caused by the fires has cast a shadow over the festive atmosphere that typically envelops the film industry during this time. At one point, the flames approached the hillside above the Dolby Theatre, the traditional venue for the Academy Awards.
The movie industry, still attempting to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, labor disputes, and technological changes, now faces a new dilemma: Should the Oscars continue as planned? Should they even hold significance anymore?
Jean Smart, a star of “Hacks” and recent Golden Globe winner, expressed her sentiments on Instagram, suggesting that networks airing the upcoming award shows should contemplate not broadcasting them at all, instead directing funds towards aiding fire victims and supporting firefighters.
Although the Oscars are currently set to proceed, it’s clear they will be altered significantly in light of the wildfires. The usual festivities leading up to the event are likely to be minimized or canceled entirely, as the community grapples with the aftermath of many losing their homes in the blaze. The traditional self-congratulatory nature of the season feels misplaced amid the devastation.
The focus has shifted to what the Oscars could symbolize in a traumatized Los Angeles. While the awards might seem less substantial, they may also serve as a vital symbol of resilience for the struggling film capital. In response to the changing situation, the film academy postponed its announcement of nominations for the second time. The new announcement is now scheduled to be made virtually on February 23. Furthermore, the academy has canceled its nominees luncheon and intends to recognize frontline workers while supporting relief initiatives.
“We will get through this together and bring a sense of healing to our global film community,” stated Bill Kramer, chief executive of the academy, alongside Janet Yang, the academy president.
The wildfires, which are among the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history, continue to wreak havoc. So far, at least 25 lives have been lost, complicating the planning processes for the various award shows. The Critics Choice Awards have been postponed, and nominations for the Producers Guild Awards have been delayed without a new date announced. On Tuesday, the guild announced a fund to assist producers impacted by the fires.
The 67th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2 in downtown Los Angeles, will still take place but with significant alterations. The Recording Academy’s chief executive Harvey Mason Jr. and Board of Trustees chair Tammy Hurt indicated that this year’s Grammy Awards would prioritize raising funds for wildfire relief efforts and acknowledging the courage of first responders.
It is likely that a telethon-like component will be incorporated into the Oscars broadcast. In light of recent events, many industry professionals have proposed ways to rethink the broadcast, reflecting on past instances when the Oscars were delayed, such as during the 2021 awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, the Oscars have been postponed a few times, including a week-long delay in 1938 due to significant flooding in Los Angeles.
The impact of the wildfires has been personally felt by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; four members of its board of governors have reportedly lost their homes. The Pacific Palisades area, which suffered immense destruction, has been home to many prominent figures in the industry.
Normally, this would be a bustling time for nominees, actively campaigning through various events related to the nominations voting period. However, that has stalled. Isabella Rossellini, anticipated to be nominated for best supporting actress for her role in “Conclave,” recently shared an image of an Oscar in ashes on Instagram. Although the photo was later revealed to be staged, it captured the current sentiment in Hollywood accurately.
“This is a very odd time to celebrate awards when so many in our community are affected,” shared “Conclave” director Edward Berger after the BAFTA nominations. “Connecting with friends and seeing their resilience gives me hope amidst the uncertainty.”
Numerous high-profile television productions have halted due to the fires, although relatively few movie shoots have been interrupted. This reflects a trend in Hollywood where most film productions have sought tax benefits in other states.
The film and TV industry has struggled to regain momentum following the strikes of 2023, resulting in many crew members remaining jobless. Actress Natalie Morales, known for her role in “Grey’s Anatomy,” suggested that studios consider repurposing empty soundstages as temporary classrooms for children displaced by the fires.
The current crisis serves as a reminder of the pressing need for work in the film industry, especially for those connected to the Oscars. The Academy Awards not only shine a spotlight on films that may go unnoticed but also create numerous job opportunities for workers, stylists, and vendors involved in the awards season.
With many already unemployed before the fires struck, Emmy-winning makeup artist Silvina Knight referred to this situation as “another significant setback.” Currently, Knight is involved in “Suits LA,” one of the shows that had to pause filming due to the wildfires.
“I’m uncertain how people are going to react to getting dressed up when they’ve just experienced such loss,” Knight remarked regarding the Oscars. “However, it could also symbolize our collective strength. This tragedy shows us that we stand together. Even on the drive home the other night, drivers were showing unusual consideration for one another, which is uncommon in Los Angeles.”
