
The slogan came after a stint that included the pandemic, strikes by actors and writers, the long and costly pivot to streaming and the continued migration of industry jobs out of Los Angeles. Hope glimmered for January, with theatrical releases on the runway and shoots in full swing.
Then came the wildfires.
"It's sort of been the perfect storm," says film and TV editor Andrew Kasch, a 20-year Los Angeles veteran who, after a year of unemployment, was giving himself just 12 more months to find work or leave the city. "The people who work on the biggest shows and movies are going to continue to be fine-it's the rest of us facing an existential crisis."
Though his home was unscathed, the fires have Kasch, 45 years old, considering moving with his two daughters to live with his parents in Chattanooga, Tenn. His health insurance expires next month, and he fears rising costs of living. "It's basically been one thing after the other."
Kasch was one of the Angelenos embracing "Survive till '25," but now his view is a little more arch. "I guess it's been changed to 'Exist to '26."
This story is from the January 22, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
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This story is from the January 22, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
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