A once glamorous industry has turned blue for many workers. Since the Coronavirus, which hit the U.S. in early March, people who work in the entertainment industry have been struggling due to lack of work. Over 12 million people who are part of the industry have lost their jobs and it’s an ongoing struggle as numbers are increasing everyday. Hollywood has been left fearfully staring into the abyss of uncertainty, whether you’re an actor, producer, director, artist, or a roadie. Everyone has been impacted. You could almost say that this is the plot of a blockbuster thriller. Although many people aren’t struggling like A-list actors who make millions of dollars every year, we have to think about those in the entertainment industry that don’t make millions a year and are being impacted by the virus. 

Interview:

Actress Kathleen Wise was at her dress rehearsal when she suddenly had to shut down the production and vacate the theater. Wise later on stated, “I had a TV job that I was going to shoot the next day and two other acting gigs lined up, within 48 hours, they were postponed indefinitely and the show at Lincoln Center was canceled.” Acting has always been a dream for many people; however, it is a really hard business to get into and the pandemic hasn’t helped. The pandemic hit right in the middle of Pilot season. Pilot season runs from February to May and during this time many networks are creating new shows that create thousands upon thousands of jobs.  The pandemic brought Pilot season to an abrupt end.  Many actors have leaned on other jobs to help them get through these tough times like waitressing.

In-Home movie rentals:

This has also had a major impact on movies that were supposed to be released during the pandemic. Studios have been unable to release major movies such as “1917” and “Mulan” which has taken a financial toll because theaters have been closed for months. Analysts estimate that the movie business has lost $2.15 billion in box office revenue. Over 95% of the industry has stopped,  leaving the world in question of what they should do with their time. People used to be able to go to the movies whenever they felt like it but now that is simply just not the case. Since movie theaters have been closed, this has led to a rise in home movie rentals. 

Movie studios are now releasing movies into the public instead of going to the movie theater.  NBCUniversal’s Universal Pictures said it would make DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour available for in-home rental first. The studio also said it would directly release other movies including Invisible Man, Emma, and The Hunt for in-home rentals. After Universal Pictures announced their plan, Sony Pictures announced two days later that Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot would be released to at-home viewers less than two weeks after its theatrical debut. Later, the world’s largest entertainment company, Disney, said Pixar’s latest release, Onward, will be available to rent and will be on Disney+ streaming service early next month. Allowing people to rent new movies at home, gives film companies the ability to still earn some money without relying on, largely closed, movie theaters. 

Although releasing films on demand will provide some revenue, it’s unlikely that it will make up for what the box office would have earned. Most of the films on average will cost $20 to rent, therefore millions must rent to reach the projected box office numbers. By the time the pandemic is over, the box office is looking at a $4 billion dollar hit. 

RESTART act- 

Since many people within the entertainment industry are losing their jobs, more than 1,500 concert venues and countless performers are urging Congress to pass the RESTART Act. The RESTART Act includes a new loan program to provide funding to cover 6 months of payroll, benefits, and fixed operating expenses for businesses that have taken a substantial revenue hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. People have been setting up “Red Alert” events that are designed to push Congress even farther to extend unemployment benefits, which expired earlier this year. Without the help of Congress, the industry is looking at piles of unpaid bills, and with no end in sight, people are getting more desperate. This bill would provide much needed assistance to small businesses that are on the brink of closure, such as small production companies and other small businesses that rely on the entertainment industry for revenue. 

Conclusion:

Many venues across the country have turned red in support of the industry. Including our very own Pepsi Center, along with 50 other venues across Colorado, and countless more homes and shop windows. When looking at the impact the pandemic has had on the entertainment industry, it’s easy to take a jaded view that actors, big studios and networks have millions.  However, the impact of the pandemic has had a significant impact on the less flashy aspects of the entertainment industry hitting everyday people such as movie theater workers, small companies that rely on the entertainment industry, makeup artists, and other members of a production crew.  With the impact on everyday people – will you go Red to show your support?