The king of horror stories sparked debate this week over the upcoming Academy Awards and whether Hollywood’s biggest night should be held in California, which continues to be affected by devastating wildfires.
Author Stephen King said in a post on Blue Sky, a social media site that replaces Twitter, that he will not vote as an Academy member this year. He further stated, “In my opinion, they should cancel them.” [the Oscars]. Los Angeles is on fire, but there’s nothing glamorous about it. ”
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While some users agreed with King’s opinion, many others, especially those in the Los Angeles film industry, pointed out why the Oscars should actually take place.
Many note that the Los Angeles film and television industry is still recovering from the double whammy of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike, which resulted in thousands of job losses over several months. This resulted in loss of income and employment opportunities. People working normally.
MALIBU, CA – JANUARY 13: Edison workers begin work on power lines destroyed by the Palisades Fire along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, Monday, January 13, 2025. High wind warnings are again in effect for large areas of Southern California until Wednesday. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News, Getty Images)
According to the Motion Picture Association of Japan’s 2020 edition, at the time of the strike, the entertainment industry was still rebuilding after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused theatrical release revenues to plummet and countless millions of A number of works have been significantly postponed (or abruptly ended). Theme report.
Additionally, many film and television productions are moving to California, as studios seek to reduce costs by taking advantage of tax credit incentives in states like Georgia, where they can receive up to 30% tax credits. Not to mention the growing trend of moving out of state. ) and outside the United States, such as British Columbia (offers a 36% tax credit and can add 5 more tax credits).
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As The Hollywood Reporter explained, the problem has become so serious that California Governor Gavin Newsom has increased tax incentives for productions in the state from $330 million to $750 million annually. I am proposing to do so. However, this expansion only addresses some issues, and THR also points out that overall production numbers are also down, likely due to both strikes and increased production costs.
“This city has been in complete chaos for a year and a half since the strike,” Los Angeles-based post-producer John McCracken told Nexstar on Saturday. “In the 17 years I’ve been in this industry, I’ve never seen the industry’s job market this bad (and that includes the last writers’ strike). People want to work. And things like the Oscars are huge.” I was working as a network production assistant at the Oscars in an operation that employs a ton of people, not just for the show, but for all the networks that cover it, and I was working overtime that weekend, making my living for a month. There was enough money to. Even a little bit. “
Other Los Angeles-based people who work in the industry every day echoed similar sentiments in King’s response.
ALTADENA, CA – JANUARY 11: The Eaton Fire destroyed a school bus parked outside the gutted Aveson Charter School in Altadena on Saturday, January 11, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
One such comment came from Access Hollywood co-EP Jen Antonelli, who wrote, “Events and after-parties are extremely helpful to the LA economy. There are hands, glamor teams, carpenters, etc. The list goes on and on.” If the show is cancelled, all these very middle-class people will lose their promising jobs. ”
Some pointed out that the Oscars could be a symbol of hope and survival, given all the tragedies that have occurred in the city recently.
In response to the replies and criticism, Dr. King wrote in another Blue Sky post on Friday: Oh, that all makes some sense, but to me it’s like Nero messing around while Rome burns, or in this case wearing fancy clothes while LA burns. I feel it. ”
King is not alone.
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“The Hucks” actor Gene Smart said that if the ceremony were to take place, television networks would not show it and instead donate the proceeds to fire victims and firefighters. He said he wanted it.
This number is likely to change from year to year, but in 2022, Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lillis, which represents the Academy Awards, estimates that more than 5,000 people will be employed at that year’s ceremony alone. I explained.
McCracken told Nexstar on Saturday that he understands why a potential Oscars telecast won’t be filled with the typical glitz and glamor, adding that their complete absence is “already on the brink of collapse.” They fear it will further devastate the existing workforce.
He added: “I understand why someone like Stephen King would think it’s flamboyant to dress up and celebrate an industry known for its excesses, but it’s made up of dependent blue-collar workers. “It’s a short-sighted and frankly naive view of cities and industry.” Take on awards season jobs to help you survive a little longer in this cutthroat job market. ”
The 97th Academy Awards are currently scheduled to be held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2nd.
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