Killer Hurricane Katrina Pounces Industry

News and other TV/Film Crews Struggle Along with Millions
of Survivors to Cope with Painful Shortages

Devastated survivors waiting to be rescued and submerged vehicles abounded the flooded Days Inn in New Orleans. (Reuters)

New Orleans, LA – In killer Katrina's wake, the terrifying hurricane's overwhelming destruction continues to wrench broadcast news operations, and hit several television and film productions working throughout the gulf region.

While hundreds, possibly thousands, are feared dead and vast areas—including more than 80% of the city of New Orleans—remain underwater, broadcast news teams and millions of displaced survivors struggle to cope with broken levees, shortages of safe water and food, lack of fuel and power, and increasing hardships.

Reports of looting and threat of disease from the toxic deluge continue to rise, as 90-degree-plus temps and thunderstorms are forecast to remain with the area for several days.  As a result of deteriorating conditions, city authorities declared martial law and now prohibit any entry into New Orleans.     

CBS News correspondent John Roberts, who covered hurricane Hugo in 1989 in South Carolina, worked from a satellite truck parked in "the only dry part of New Orleans" on Tuesday. "This city is so devastated," Roberts told the Hollywood Reporter. 

Flood waters, up to 20 feet deep in spots, swallowed production trucks whole and killed most all telecommunications in the area.  Cellular networks, landlines, internet and related services are severely impaired.  News crews struggling to save equipment and themselves have suffered minor and major injuries, as their networks scramble to find ways to get food and medical supplies to field staff.

Jon Banner, executive producer of ABC's World News Tonight, told the Reporter that Katrina and its aftermath is one of the most difficult stories to cover he has ever seen. "We have a lot of real estate to cover and very little technology that will work," said Banner. "We've struggled to get a good way to transmit pictures from New Orleans." He added that the hardships his team faces, however, are simply "a blip compared to the tragedy that has occurred."

"What's happening to us is nothing," said Banner. "We do the best that we can, and we try to stay focused on the real nature of the disaster, which is an unimaginable horror for tens of thousands of people who are homeless or who have lost loved ones."

In addition to broadcast and cable news teams, other types of production crews in the region face their own battles with nature and compromised infrastructure. Louisiana, which has grown into a key TV/film production center thanks to tax incentives and other factors, has been home to several working shoots. According to the Los Angeles Times, 27 theatricals and telefilms were were made in the Pelican State, spending more than $125 million dollars.

At the time authorities issued the evacuation order, CBS teleflim Vampire Bats, starring Lucy Lawless, and indie feature The Last Time, starring Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser, were shooting in New Orleans.  Lifetime pilot Scarlett, FX's The Thief, and Disney feature The Guardian, starring Kevin Costner, are among projects currently in pre-production which were scheduled to begin shooting in New Orleans within weeks.

With New Orleans and surrounding areas facing several months of clean-up and years of recovery—along with hard-hit regions of Mississippi, Alabama and south Florida—Hollywood studios are assessing potential losses and options. Prospects for doing any kind of business, TV/film production or otherwise, in this area are bleak at this time. Variety reports that scouts for Disney's Guardian are already searching the Baton Rouge area for alternative locations.

Nets Storm Airwaves With Relief Efforts

NBC and several Viacom nets announced plans to air primetime benefits to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

This Friday, Sept. 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET, NBC Universal Television will simulcast an hour-long "Concert For Hurricane Relief" in high-definition on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. Live from NBC's New York City headquarters and hosted by Today anchor Matt Lauer, the telethon will air tape-delayed for the West Coast and ask viewers to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Tim McGraw, Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr.—all of whom are Louisiana natives and hold significant ties there—are among scheduled performers. Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio are also scheduled to appear.

MTV and fellow Viacom channels VH1, CMT and BET will all air live benefits as well, featuring musical performances and celebrity appearances. The telecasts are part of a Viacom-wide relief effort, encouraging viewers to donate funds and give volunteer time to Red Cross.
- Juliana Bolden