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The Show Must Go On
Carolina Groppa
January 17, 2025
Dear Listener,
The times are unprecedented and difficult. The last 5 years have really tried to knock us down. Covid, union strikes, corporate greed, continued mergers, runaway productions, the threats of AI, and the ubiquitous global warming crisis.
The Entertainment industry is still trying to rebound and rebuild, and now we also have to contend with the devastation from the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires.
It’s a whole lot.
Artwork by Bri Buckley
This is an unfathomable loss for thousands of families and for our communities at large. I’m wrecked for my friends who lost their homes; heartbroken for their children who, previously displaced by Covid, are now displaced again as many schools have been severely damaged or lost. Actor Natalie Morales shared this great idea on how studios could use empty stages to create temporary classrooms. Not sure how feasible it is, but I’m making inroads with my contacts to find out.
Honestly, I oscillate between optimism and desperation...and sometimes feel foolish for trying to inject positivity via my own work and certainly via the podcast, which in moments like this feels a little silly. Like I'm the blind leading the blind?
Yet I don’t know anything else but forward momentum and I always aim to find the silver lining, so here I am. Showing up and hoping that by helping you keep going, we can help each other.
In this season of distress, I urge you to practice kindness and grace towards yourself and your neighbors…and to stray away from toxic positivity. Yes, it’s “only a house.” Sure, “stuff can be replaced”, and absolutely we will rebuild stronger and better.
But…these homes contained multitudes of stories and treasures that cannot be replaced. Many were lifelines towards creating generational wealth, especially in Altadena which boasts a majority of black and brown homeowners.
There isn’t a single person in LA who isn’t in some way, shape, or form impacted by this collective trauma. Jimmy Kimmel’s beautiful monologue does it more justice than I ever could. It’s tempting to wonder if those that lost their homes will find a way to stay when they can choose to rebuild elsewhere. And I don't like to get political, but the way people outside of LA are shitting on LA is appalling. Sometimes it seems like the rest of the country perceives us as these liberal stereotypes, when in reality we are complex individuals containing multitudes. Kinda like every other human.
I have cousins from very conservative parts of our country genuinely afraid to visit Los Angeles, only to arrive and be flabbergasted that we are indeed…normal? Imagine that!
What we are is a bunch of misfits who fled to the Golden State in chase of a dream. We are a city of dreamers, of doers, of imaginative folks who make the impossible possible. We are fiercely loyal to this city, imperfect as it may be. Because what place is perfect?
Los Angeles will rebuild. Stronger. As Chef Jose Andres from World Central Kitchen said, “In the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity always shows up.” After almost two decades in LA, I am beaming with pride to be among so many incredible humans and to call this place home.
Our eternal gratitude to the men and women who risked and are still risking their lives to fight these fires…thank you for your bravery. Support them here.
Chicago.
Did You Know…The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 devastated the city. In 36 hours, nearly 300 people lost their lives and 17,400 structures were burned, leaving 100,000 people homeless. Thankfully, a rainstorm extinguished most of it before the damage was even greater. Its aftermath led to a rapid rebuilding process that significantly reshaped Chicago, characterized by the adoption of stricter building codes, innovative architecture with fireproof materials like terra cotta, and a new focus on urban planning, ultimately transforming the city into a modern metropolis with iconic skyscrapers, establishing Chicago as a leader in architecture and urban design.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate and help spread the word.
I want to highlight the below campaigns of dear friends close to my heart:
📣 CALLING ALL PRODUCERS 📣 How can we help our community? If you have a resource guide, employment opportunity, or other ways to help our fellow producers who were impacted by fires, email me [email protected] so we can amplify.
LOSING A LEGEND
This one hurts. Please take a moment of silence to honor the passing of visionary filmmaker, David Lynch. (1946-2025)
AND NOW, SOME GOOD NEWS!
LA City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a $1 billion facelift and expansion of Television City. This will create thousands of jobs and generate billions in revenue.
On Tuesday, January 21st at 4PM PST, one of my favorite humans and yoga teachers, Stephanie Greco, will guide us through a free 45 minute virtual grounding meditation and gentle movement practice. RSVP here. Link will be sent morning of. Class is pay what you can with 100% of funds raised allocated to Go Fund Me’s that are halfway or less to their goals.
I’ll be meditating on this MLK quote all weekend in his honor...hope you’ll join me.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”
Until next time, thanks for doing this life thing with me!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
CA Tax Credit Workshop - Wed, Jan 22nd @ 5pm PT Join me and the film commission as we breakdown the nebulous application process (Deadline for the next round is Jan 27th!) RSVP via this link.
AOP Mixer - Wed, Feb 5th @ 7pm All Seasons Brewing. RSVP details next week.