How to Campaign for an Oscar While L.A. Is on Fire

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As the wildfires in Los Angeles persist, they have disrupted tens of thousands of lives and shattered any confidence in the city’s harmony with nature. Now, discussions are arising in Hollywood about what businesses should evolve into after the fires, particularly as the entertainment industry grapples with adapting its annual awards season.

Due to an urgent plea from actress Jean Smart on Instagram asking networks airing the Academy Awards to donate their earnings to fire victims and firefighters instead, some traditional pre-Oscars events have been affected by the tragedy. The Academy postponed announcing this year’s nominees twice (now scheduled for a virtual announcement on January 23) and canceled its lavish luncheon in part to aid relief efforts and recognize frontline workers. The Screen Actors Guild Awards called off their live nominations announcement, BAFTA canceled their Tea Party event, which is usually schmoozy and campaign-oriented, and the Critics Choice Awards rescheduled their broadcast date twice, now set for February 7.

Regarding the Oscars, despite the devastating fires in Palisades and Eaton that affected several Academy board members, it appears the event will go on as scheduled on March 2nd, sticking to its regular format. According to the statement from the Academy CEO Bill Kramer, this decision was made after discussions with ABC, the Academy’s board, and other crucial figures in the Los Angeles and film industries.

Based on discussions among Academy members, film executives, and Oscars planners, it appears that the likelihood of postponing the Oscars ceremony at this stage is extremely low, unless there’s an unprecedented worsening of the current exceptional circumstances. A studio marketing executive involved in an Academy Awards campaign stated, “The only thing that could potentially delay the Oscars is if conditions become so severe they necessitate a complete restart.” The main focus of discussions among them is to avoid hosting parties. Instead, they are suggesting screenings and dedications, but with no alcohol or celebrations involved.

An unverified claim made in British tabloid The Sun suggested that there was a backup plan for canceling this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, but it’s important to note that the Oscars have never been called off over their 96-year history. Longtime members of the Academy recall only two instances where the awards were delayed: In 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic (when a scaled-back broadcast was aired in late April, approximately six weeks later than usual), and in 1981 when the ceremony was pushed back by 24 hours due to an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.

A strategist involved with the Oscar awards campaign emphasizes the significant financial repercussions that a cancellation would have on both the Academy and numerous businesses, including hairstylists, makeup artists, limo drivers, event organizers, caterers, and more. These individuals rely heavily on the Oscars for their livelihoods. ABC is reported to pay the Academy an annual licensing fee of $100 million for the rights to broadcast the Oscars, with potential additional revenue from ad sales. However, the Academy itself is struggling under a debt of approximately $465 million, incurred after spending extravagantly on the construction of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles’ Mid-City district, set to open in 2021. This strategist suggests that canceling the Oscars could severely impact Los Angeles, as the Academy is financially strained following years of prioritizing the museum and accumulating debt.

Despite being renowned for his creativity, Stephen King voiced his opinion on Bluesky, urging the Academy leadership to postpone the awards. He stated, “I’m skipping the Oscars this year. I think they should be canceled. There’s no glamour with Los Angeles ablaze.” On Friday, he further clarified his stance, acknowledging the pro-Oscar sentiments on his timeline. “I understand your arguments about the Oscars being a celebration of life and the need for continuity,” King wrote. “However, it still feels like Nero playing his violin while Rome burns, or in this case, hosting a glitzy event while LA is on fire.

As the deadline for Oscar voting, which had been extended due to the wildfires, passed at 5 p.m. Pacific Time on January 17, there was agreement from all parties – those who wanted to cancel the Oscars and those who wished to continue – that it wasn’t appropriate to celebrate while people were suffering. Our studio executive stated, “It’s inappropriate to celebrate at a time when people are hurting.” He suggested postponing the voting without cancelling it altogether, giving everyone more time and reducing pressure. He also emphasized that holding an Academy Award celebration or event was not feasible at the moment.

“But,” the same executive notes, “the show does go on.”

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2025-01-22 04:53