This article will simultaneously not be about filmmaking, and also about filmmaking. Right now, a large section of Los Angeles is being destroyed. Where I live is safe from all the danger. But countless friends have had to evacuate, and some have had their lives ruined. The best man at my brother-in-law’s wedding recently purchased a condo. I saw him at my birthday celebration, and he was so excited. Now, his home and his car are nothing but ash.
Other friends of mine have also lost their homes. While friends and family have taken them in. We know the trauma will linger on forever. Some of them are part of the film industry and some are not. The misconception about Los Angeles across the country is that we’re this collection of elite, wealthy artists living on the beach. Looking down on the rest of America. But the reality is that, like everyone, we are just working to support our families. Our everyday lives fluctuate between not having enough and having more than we could imagine. We came here because we had a goal and a dream.
But like the rest of America. That dream is burning.
A LAND OF PROMISE
I came to Los Angeles in 2009 after too many days of working on snow-filled productions. I came here not only to realize my filmmaking dreams. But to have a better quality of life. It was a struggle to get adjusted here. But eventually, I found my way and made this place my home.
There’s an energy about Los Angeles. Both inside and outside of the film industry. Here’s what people don’t understand about this place:
There’s every kind of person here.
If you ever wanted to skydive and then go pet some dogs during a Buddhist ceremony, you can do that here. If you want to go camping with a circus troupe, also possible. And if you just want to sit down at a bar, watch a football game, and eat some of the best tacos and craft beer you can imagine. That’s waiting for you here as well.
Whatever kind of activity you want to do or person you want to meet. There is some version of that here.
Los Angeles is a city of many transplants. And they are welcomed by the natives. Everyone creates a version of LA that works for themselves. Despite the developers and the wealthy that have slowly made all the great elements of this city harder to access.
This is a place of endless promise.
A BURNING DREAM
Now, this land of promise and possibility is being burned at the edges. What that means for the film industry? Right now, that doesn’t matter. What’s happening in this moment is the destruction of dreams. Dreams that we all have. To find a place, people you love and a community you want to be around. And for too many of us right now. Those dreams are represented by charred buildings and air filled with ash.
The saying goes:
So goes California. So goes the rest of the country.
And I see that happening in a metaphorical sense. Across the country, people are seeing their dreams turn to ash by forces outside of their control. Some of them by forces who wish to control the government. Some by nature itself. A planet whipped into a frenzy by the greed of a few human beings. With devastating consequences for all of us. Leaving us staring into the void and wondering:
Is there any hope beyond this?
A GATHERING OF SOULS
In this destruction, one thing has remained clear:
A community will be created.
Friends message friends. GoFundMe’s have been started. We check on and look out for each other. And we’re reminded that no matter how dire the situation.
We have each other’s backs.
The reasons why this happened will come. But after the fires are contained and the damage assessed. The work of rebuilding will begin. Work that everyone here will participate in. This work is not just in the physical construction of homes. But working through the trauma of this experience.
A home is where meanings and memories are placed. And for my fellows in the film industry. Those items are the physical representations of childhood dreams. The plates you purchased at Target are there because of the work you did. Work that would make the child version of you pinch yourself because you managed to make those dreams a reality. And now, all those meanings and memories have been taken away.
We have to continue being there for each other. In every way that we can. Maybe it’s money, maybe it’s a meal. But mostly, it’s just a presence. Either way, we have to help each other find our dreams again.
For the sake of our own survival.
Some dear friends of mine have lost their homes and it would mean the world if you could help them get on their feet.
Soma Helmi is a director and writer who I met at a screenwriting workshop for Mixed Asian Media. Her script SuperNova is the best one I’ve read in a long time. And she is simply a wonderful human being. Her and her partner’s house and car were destroyed in the Eaton fire.
Their GoFundMe is here:
Elaine Loh is a writer and director. I met her at a film festival when she was transitioning from acting to directing. She volunteered to speak at the same workshop and has always been open to help anyone who needs it. She also lost her house and belongings in the Eaton fire.
A GoFundMe has been set up for her:
Nature Friends is the place where I got married and has been burned down. The foundation has remained intact. But they still have a long way to go. If you could help them get on their feet. It would mean the world to me.
Right now, the fires are getting contained. But there is still a lot of work to be done.
Please help those you can and let’s all continue to look out for each other.
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