Coronavirus, COVID-19, is hitting the media and entertainment industries hard. With local, state and federal shutdowns occurring across the United States and theater chains closing, larger cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago, all thriving entertainment hubs, are being impacted hardest as many in those communities – from actors to crew – work in the film and television industry.
As of now, all major studios, such as Netflix, Amazon, Warner Brothers, Universal, NBC, FOX, HBO, and Disney, have shut down productions, or wrapped early, in order to support the Federal movement calling for social distancing whenever possible.
That being said, Fargo, starring Chris Rock, jumps onto the long list of productions in Chicago currently on hiatus. This season, being its fourth installment thus far, is one of four FX films nationwide that suspended filming as of March 14, 2020.
In addition to Fargo, Atlanta, Donald Glover’s comedy series, was rolling into its third season when it was put on hold this week due to COVID-19 Snowfall and Y: The Last MAn make up the last two FX shows being shut down until the COVID-19. As of now, the federal and local governments are looking at a two-week suspension. Season 4 was still set to premiere April 19, 2020, but FX released a statement that it will be postponing it’s premiere date.
One production that did make it to the end without too many complications from the current COVID-19 situation is MCM’s blockbuster slasher film, Candyman. Beginning principle photography last August, the film originally wrapped late September 2019. Candyman then picked up some additional photography early March 2020, just before COVID-19 hit the US.
Currently wrapped on their additional principle photography this week in Chicago, Candyman has been busy shooting all over Chicago’s Near North Side and Near West Side in places like Cabrini and North Park.
Candyman is set to release June 12, 2020. Below is the trailer:
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As the we roll into another work week, we can only hope for more answers soon on how the unemployed entertainment workers and support systems will be affected further as all productions come to a halt For now, we can only hope that this pandemic can be contained swiftly, and that everyone can safely return to work sooner than later.
Katharin Mraz is a contributing writer for Reel Chicago and Reel 360.
