Dear Friend of the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre,
Thank you for joining 4141 concerned citizens who have signed the petition urging the board of the American Cinematheque to hold a public meeting, explain the problems facing the troubled non-profit, halt any potential sale of the Egyptian Theatre and be transparent about its plans moving forward. The petition is directed to the board, to the local city councilmember's office (Mitch O'Farrell, since defeated by Hugo Soto-Martinez), and to the California Attorney General, who was already investigating the American Cinematheque before it sought to sell the theater.
The Egyptian was sold to Netflix for $14.4 Million, and has been shuttered for several years now, missing the only centennial that it will ever have. Netflix has kept it closed while they undertake major renovations / alterations, with the intent of shrinking the number of seats in the theater, removing the small Spielberg screening room and balcony, and changing the lobby layout.
Because the Egyptian Theatre is a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, Netflix cannot continue making decisions about the property in secret, but must make public presentations to the Cultural Heritage Commission, requesting their approval to move forward with any changes to the landmark. On January 7, 2021 and April 15, 2021, Netflix made two presentations about their plans.
You can find video of the April presentation and the highly critical public comments here. This video and much more is also posted on our advocacy page at https://esotouric.com/egyptiantheatre/
And community members citizens had plenty to say… about inappropriate LED signage and loss of American Cinematheque branding, proposed removal of the beloved courtyard palm trees (since chopped down) and potential damage to the theater’s acoustics.
The most worrying complaints came from members of the film community, warning that Netflix’ plan to destroy the jewel box Spielberg screening room would effectively kill small festivals like LA Filmforum. Even though the Spielberg isn’t one of the historic resources that the CHC oversees, Commissioner Barry Milofsky was also concerned, and asked Netflix if they would consider turning one of the vacant storefronts into a small film venue. Netflix refused to even consider it. RIP small festivals at what was the community’s theater.
But one thing the CHC does have authority over is signage, both because the Egyptian is an historic landmark, and because it sits in the National Register District and is subject to the restrictions of Hollywood’s sign ordinance.
SO SAVE THE DATE! The next Cultural Heritage Commission hearing is Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10am, and the Egyptian Theatre is on the agenda.
Please show up or call in (by phone or by Zoom) to give public comment on Agenda Item #4, objecting to the Netflix bait and switch request to install a non-historic, multi-colored LED sign on the tile roof of the Egyptian Theatre. This is very different from the monochrome sign in its 2021 presentations.
Despite the attempt by hired preservation advisors Historic Resources Group to justify it in their misleading report, this type of 21st century illuminated advertising is not permitted under the Hollywood sign ordinance, and would spoil the experience of the historic forecourt. Also, the HRG report claims there was no objection to this sign proposal from the CHC, preservation groups or the public in 2021. But the multicolored LED sign was not the design proposed in 2021! And the presentation was purely informational, with no opinion rendered.
Netflix can advertise their "now showing" programs with window signs and portable stand-ups, and does not need a digital roof sign. Tell the CHC to reject this brand new LED sign request and keep the Egyptian forecourt historic.
All call info is on the agenda and we look forward to hearing from you. If you can’t call in on 5/4, you can send an email to the Commissioners at chc@lacity.org (deadline for emails: 10am on Weds., 5/3).
We are hopeful that with the oversight of the Cultural Heritage Commission and the public, the future of the Egyptian Theatre will be a positive one. We will continue to let you know when there are opportunities for the public to be heard.
Please continue to share the petition with friends who love the American Cinematheque and want to see it thrive in the historic Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. And stay tuned for additional news as we have it.
Yours for Los Angeles,
Kim Cooper & Richard Schave
Friends of the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre
https://esotouric.com/egyptiantheatre