<p>The actors union SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and a bargaining group representing advertisers agreed on Sunday to recommend “a temporary hold on in-person production in Southern California.”</p>
<p>The move comes as local hospitals remain overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and anticipate that another post-holiday wave of infections will hit soon. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health had previously emailed show biz insiders on Christmas Eve <a href="https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/12/29/la-county-asks-hollywood-to-pause-production-due-to-covid-19-crisis/">requesting</a> they “strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases.”</p>
<p>Still, current stay-at-home rules <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-04/la-workplaces-coronavirus-spread">consider</a> the entertainment industry as an essential business.</p>
<p>“Southern California hospitals are facing a crisis the likes of which we have never seen before,” <a href="https://www.sagaftra.org/joint-statement-regarding-production-hold-southern-california">said</a> SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, perhaps best known for her role as Andrea Zuckerman on the 1990s hit Beverly Hills 90210. “Patients are dying in ambulances waiting for treatment because hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed. This is not a safe environment for in-person production right now.”</p>
<p>Along with the Joint Policy Committee (JPC), SAG-AFTRA and the PGA issued a joint statement on Sunday calling for the production delay, noting that major studios and streamers in the area are already on hiatus until mid-January.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What IS this? Just a SAG “recommendation?” Why are we not just shutting down production for the next month ? <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorOfLA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MayorOfLA</a> !?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LosAngeles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LosAngeles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid</a> <a href="https://t.co/cXZAs3Bjke">pic.twitter.com/cXZAs3Bjke</a></p>
<p>&mdash; “Q” is for #QUINCY (@allenequincy) <a href="https://twitter.com/allenequincy/status/1346150962457530368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p>“Commercial producers are strongly encouraged to reschedule their Southern California-area productions to a later date when the hospital capacity crisis has eased,” said Stacy Marcus, Chief Negotiator for the JPC. “It is simply too great a risk to performers, crew and industry personnel to continue production knowing that hospitals are in crisis mode and the number of cases continue to rise.”</p>
<p>SAG-AFTRA officials urge members in Greater Los Angeles to stay home and turn down any on-set gigs for the next several weeks. Those who are required to work have been asked to alert the labor union of any safety concerns.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-04/la-workplaces-coronavirus-spread">reports</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>There have been clusters of coronavirus infections identified recently among workers at three Warner Bros. productions in Burbank – “Lucifer,” “The Kominsky Method” and “Young Sheldon.” In total, 35 people have tested positive as part of those infections.</em></p>
<p><em>An additional 45 coronavirus cases have been identified at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, according to the county data. Twenty-three cases have been identified among workers at NBC Universal in Studio City and Universal City, including on the production of the show “Mr. Mayor.” There have been nine coronavirus cases among staff at Netflix Productions’ office in Gardena. …</em></p>
<p><em>CBS Studios, Universal Television, ABC Signature, 20<sup>th</sup> Television, Warner Bros. Television and Sony Pictures Television have delayed production on a number of TV shows.</em></p></blockquote>
<p>In September, movie studios and labor unions agreed to implement coronavirus protocols for productions that included mandatory testing, personal protective equipment, and quarantine pay. Statewide orders forced film and TV production to shut down from March 20 until mid-June. FilmLA, the nonprofit that coordinates permits for several jurisdictions throughout Greater L.A., told CBS News it received more than 3,550 applications from June to November.</p>
<p>A shortage of ICU beds in the Southern California region <a href="https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2020-12-28/southern-california-stay-at-home-order-will-likely-be-extended-as-o-c-notes-deadly-holiday-weekend">triggered</a> a stay-at-home order in early December that was <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-29/california-breaks-single-day-record-coronavirus-cases-66811">extended</a> for last week. The most recent data <a href="https://abc7.com/gavin-newsom-press-conference-governor-covid-update-california-coronavirus-ca/9347201/">shows</a> ICU capacity remains at 0%.  The Los Angeles Times recently <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-02/la-county-sees-new-spike-in-coronavirus-cases-post-christmas-surge">reported</a>, “the dreaded post-Christmas spike in coronavirus cases appears to be materializing in Los Angeles County.”</p>
<p>“It is too hard to say right now when the situation may improve,” <a href="https://www.sagaftra.org/joint-statement-regarding-production-hold-southern-california">said</a> SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. “We are monitoring closely and will make sure that our members have the information they need to make the best decisions they can to protect themselves and our community.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/los-angeles-surge-hospital-that-treated-covid-19-patients-now-appears-to-be-the-site-of-full-scale-hollywood-production">Related: <strong>Los Angeles Surge Hospital That Treated COVID-19 Patients Now Appears To Be Site Of Full-Scale Hollywood Production</strong></a></p>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

As COVID-19 Hits Hollywood Productions, Actors Union And Industry Groups Recommend Temporary Production Hold

CONTINUE READING

Chestnut Devours 70+ Hotdogs, Dominates Competition In Annual Display Of American Exceptionalism

Man Plows Truck Into Crowd In New Orleans’ French Quarter, Mayor Calls It A ‘Terrorist Attack’

5 Dead, 2 Kids Injured In Philadelphia Shooting. Suspect In Custody.

3 Dead In ‘Gang-Related’ Shooting At Annual New Mexico Biker Rally

McCarthy Says Biden Beholden To ‘Radical Socialists,’ POTUS Calls GOP Debt Ceiling Position ‘Extreme’

Illinois Supreme Court Puts Controversial Law Eliminating Cash Bail On Hold

News and Commentary

COVID

Hollywood

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

As COVID-19 Hits Hollywood Productions, Actors Union And Industry Groups Recommend Temporary Production Hold