Mandalit del Barco

Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

On-location productions in Los Angeles dipped more than 22 percent the first three months of this year. according to Film LA, which issues film permits in the area. The nonprofit group found production also shrank on LA soundstages. Spokesman Philip Sokolowski says other states and countries have lucrative tax credits to lure productions out of California.

On-location productions in Los Angeles dipped more than 22 percent the first three months of this year. according to Film LA, which issues film permits in the area. The nonprofit group found production also shrank on LA soundstages. Spokesman Philip Sokolowski says other states and countries have lucrative tax credits to lure productions out of California.

Meanwhile, studios and streamers are ordering fewer series and films.

Meanwhile, studios and streamers are ordering fewer series and films.

The report says the recent wildfires had only a small effect on L.A. filming. Productions are still rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic and delays by the Hollywood writers' and performers' strikes. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

The report says the recent wildfires had only a small effect on L.A. filming. Productions are still rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic and delays by the Hollywood writers' and performers' strikes. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

The show's producers say the ceremony will honor the city of Los Angeles, parts of which were devastated by wildfires recently. The show will raise money for relief efforts. Comedian Conan O'Brien will host the Oscar ceremony for the first time.

The show's producers say the ceremony will honor the city of Los Angeles, parts of which were devastated by wildfires recently. The show will raise money for relief efforts. Comedian Conan O'Brien will host the Oscar ceremony for the first time.

In a promotional video, O'Brien says he's up for anything.

In a promotional video, O'Brien says he's up for anything.

Producers say there will be some surprises. The ceremony will pay tribute to the late musician Quincy Jones and will include a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose hit film Wicked is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

Producers say there will be some surprises. The ceremony will pay tribute to the late musician Quincy Jones and will include a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose hit film Wicked is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

For her role as Mexican drug lord Emilia Perez, Carlos Sofía Gascon had looked forward to possibly becoming the first trans actress to win an Oscar. That changed when a journalist uncovered Gascon's old social media posts in which she vilified Islam and denigrated George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked racial justice protests. At first, Gascon tried to explain herself to CNN en Español.

For her role as Mexican drug lord Emilia Perez, Carlos Sofía Gascon had looked forward to possibly becoming the first trans actress to win an Oscar. That changed when a journalist uncovered Gascon's old social media posts in which she vilified Islam and denigrated George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked racial justice protests. At first, Gascon tried to explain herself to CNN en Español.

I've committed no crime, haven't hurt anyone, and I'm not racist, she said. Emilia Perez director Jacques Audiard called Gascon's statements self-destructive. Gascon's reps and Netflix haven't responded to NPR's request for comments, but the actress now says she's bowing out of campaigning for the Oscars. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

I've committed no crime, haven't hurt anyone, and I'm not racist, she said. Emilia Perez director Jacques Audiard called Gascon's statements self-destructive. Gascon's reps and Netflix haven't responded to NPR's request for comments, but the actress now says she's bowing out of campaigning for the Oscars. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

Hi, this is Mandalit Del Barco, NPR's entertainment correspondent. I've lived in L.A. reporting for NPR since the early 1990s, and L.A. 's been through a lot, but we're always ready for a sequel.

Hi, this is Mandalit Del Barco, NPR's entertainment correspondent. I've lived in L.A. reporting for NPR since the early 1990s, and L.A. 's been through a lot, but we're always ready for a sequel.