As wildfires ravage the Los Angeles area, studios and agencies are taking precautionary measures by closing down their lots and offices or allowing employees to work remotely if it is safe to do so. In Burbank and Universal City, Walt Disney Studios, Universal, and Warner Bros. Studios have all closed their facilities, with Universal only requiring essential employees to be onsite.
Production of films and shows on these lots has been halted, and the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park has also shut down. Other studios located further away from the fires are taking a more flexible approach to the situation. Sony Pictures in Culver City is open for those who prefer to work from the office, but employees are not required to come in. Paramount Pictures in Hollywood remains open, but employees are encouraged to work from home if possible, and tours of the lot have been canceled.
At the agencies, UTA in Beverly Hills and CAA in Century City are both urging employees to work from wherever they feel safest, whether it be at home or in the office. The WME office is currently closed. These accommodations reflect how Hollywood has adapted to changes since the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced offices and studios to shut down and employees to work remotely. While film and TV productions require in-person work, much of the office tasks can be done remotely. The wildfires highlight how the industry is responding to the disaster while ensuring that business continues to move forward, albeit not as usual.
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