Let Them Work! Below-The-Line Workers, IATSE Sound Off About Fire-Related Cancellations

deadline.com:

After Jean Smart posted on Instagram that Hollywood needs to scrap awards shows and figure out how to generate revenue for fire victims instead, former lead stage manager Debbie Williams had a few choice words for the Hacks star via Facebook. “Dearest Jean Smart,” began Williams, a veteran of such shows as American Idol, the Oscars and the Grammys. “You are a wonderful actress and I’m sure your heart is in the right place … wanting to cancel all awards shows and taking the revenue and donating it to Fire Relief ….

HOWEVER there is no revenue if there is no show and frankly, the workers who do the shows…the below the line production workers … truly need the work in an industry that has been suffering.

These are normal crew and staff that rely on these jobs to feed their families. So be like Jamie Lee Curtis, who just donated 1 million dollars to the cause…and don’t take food out of the mouths of the people who make you look good on camera.” Williams isn’t the only one to sound off about all the postponements and cancellations since the wildfires ravaged both the Palisades and Altadena.

Hitting the pause button in an effort to show deference to the victims has ended up impacting everyone from limo drivers and construction workers to hair and make/up people and caterers — so much so that below-the-line workers who are still suffering from the effects of the dual strikes are starting to speak up about the loss of even more work. “You’ve got all the agents and the celebrity handlers handling all the celebrities, but who’s taking care of your crew?” said a line producer, who didn’t want to be named for fear of sabotaging an upcoming gig that, for now, is still scheduled to occur. “Every time they cancel an event, there are