American Cinematheque recently hosted its Tribute to the Crafts event in Los Angeles, marking one of the first gatherings since wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The night celebrated below-the-line craftspeople from various films, such as “Wicked,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Challengers,” and “The Substance.” The event featured a relaxed dress code, with attendees encouraged to come as they were.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special tribute to John Clarke Mills, the CEO and co-founder of Watch Duty, who developed a wildfire alert app that kept Angelenos informed during the recent crisis. Mills was honored with the Unsung Hero Award for his efforts, although he preferred to credit firefighters and incarcerated individuals who work to combat fires for a minimal wage.
Mills started developing the app in 2021 after nearly losing his home to a fire and invested $1 million of his own money into the project. He acknowledged the resilience of the people of Los Angeles who continue to support the city and first responders during challenging times. Steve Guttenberg presented Mills with his award, sharing his own experiences of assisting his community during the fire outbreak.
Various honorees at the event, including costume designer Paul Tazewell, cinematographer Jomo Fray, editor Juliette Welfling, the hair and makeup team from “The Substance,” stunt coordinators from “The Fall Guy,” and teams from “Dune: Part Two,” expressed gratitude to firefighters and sympathy for wildfire victims in their speeches. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, recognized for their score in “Challengers,” sent a video message, expressing their solidarity during the unsettling times.
The event showcased the importance of recognizing the contributions of below-the-line craftspeople and the resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters.