Scott Derrickson, Whose Home Was Destroyed by 2018 Woolsey Fire, Shares Lessons Learned From Devastation

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As a passionate gamer, I couldn’t miss the chance to witness the 4K restoration of Wim Wenders’ timeless 1987 fantasy masterpiece, “Wings of Desire,” when it was set to be screened in New York City in November 2018. So, I made sure to be there, ready to immerse myself in this cinematic marvel.

The German filmmaker isn’t just a mentor in filmmaking and one of my dearest friends, but he also serves as the godfather to both of Derrickson’s sons, Atticus and Dashiel. In fact, when Atticus was born, Wenders was the first visitor at the family’s hospital room. Given this close bond, it wasn’t surprising that, when he was 14, Atticus accompanied his director father on a journey from their Los Angeles neighborhood in Thousand Oaks to catch a flight bound for the East Coast, attending the presentation at New York’s Quad Cinema.

Wim often grappled with getting the right balance between black and white tones, an issue that persisted from VHS to DVD, and even in the prints. He was consistently disappointed because he couldn’t achieve his desired look for the film, as the footage appeared slightly sepia-toned. Recalling these struggles is Derrickson, a seasoned director who has earned acclaim for his work on Marvel’s hit Doctor Strange, as well as horror films like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil, and most recently, The Black Phone. However, he was pleasantly surprised when they went through a complex re-digitization process for the film, resulting in a fantastic technical presentation. Upon viewing the movie, it looked truly amazing.

Over the course of a delightful weekend, deeply immersed in contemplating cinema artistry and the work of a cherished guide, an unfortunate turn of events transpired when the 2018 Woolsey Fire swept through the western side of Los Angeles, reducing Derrickson’s family home to ashes. This devastating fire not only destroyed their personal belongings but also consumed over 96,000 acres, 1,643 structures, and tragically took the lives of three individuals. Many notable figures such as Miley Cyrus, Shannen Doherty, Neil Young, Gerard Butler, Robin Thicke, writer-producer Chris Kelly, and others also suffered the loss of their homes during this catastrophic inferno.

Derrickson stated over the phone last weekend from Toronto, where he’s almost finished with Black Phone 2, that following the fire, all he was left with were items from his carry-on bag for the weekend getaway. He had nothing else. His son cried harder than ever before in New York when he learned about the fire. Their home was his son’s special space, and everything in it, which he had carefully collected, held significant memories that couldn’t be replaced. These items weren’t just reminders of past moments, but also memories tied to that specific room. Everyone reacted differently to the loss; people mourn differently.

Derrickson has gained a hard-earned lesson from surviving a devastating fire and rebuilding his life in the months and years following. Similarly, countless Angelenos will encounter this situation in the wake of, and long after, the unprecedented wildfires that recently ravaged Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and neighboring regions. These catastrophic events, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, have claimed 24 lives (as reported at press time) and consumed over 40,000 acres in the Los Angeles area, leaving more than 12,300 structures in ruins.

Derrickson stated that losing one’s home is always unexpected and distressing. However, the real divide between those affected is between those who have good insurance coverage and those who have either poor coverage or none at all. While I was fortunate enough to have excellent fire insurance, which prevented me from experiencing a severe financial burden, I can only imagine the hardship that others with inadequate or no insurance face. It’s a situation that could be devastating, potentially life-altering, and simply unimaginable. My sympathies are mainly for those in this predicament.

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For everyone, the immediate challenge becomes where to sleep. Friction often follows.

Settling down after displacement can be quite an extended ordeal. It often feels like it drags on, especially when you’re stuck living in a hotel or with relatives, neither of which are particularly enjoyable, more so if you’re a family because space can become very limited. Fortunately, we were fortunate enough to find temporary respite at the Four Seasons before securing a long-term rental property. Since our children were in school, we needed a permanent home. However, there’s a certain melancholy that can develop for those who are displaced as one day you have a house and the next day, you’re homeless or without a place to consider your own. The entire process involves dealing with insurance firms, finding temporary accommodations, and potentially another long-term residence. Throughout this period, the reality of losing everything you owned continues to resonate.

Derrickson and his family eventually agreed to rent a property for an extended period, which had once belonged to the actor Kevin Sorbo. It’s not shy to admit that I found him annoying on Twitter and unappealing as a landlord. We lived there for approximately nine months, but we couldn’t stand it. We truly disliked it. It wasn’t our home; it didn’t suit our taste, and it was not a place where we wished to spend time.

Prior to the fire, Derrickson and his spouse Joyce were already separated, making an already challenging situation even more complex. (He later married Maggie Levin.) As he explained, “The timing was particularly unfortunate in this regard, and it turned into a dark, difficult, and somewhat depressing period.” He further noted that each member of his family coped differently with the hardships, stating, “At the time, I didn’t realize that losing one’s home puts immense pressure on a partnership if you’re a couple, or on a family if you have children. Each person grieves the loss of their home space in their unique way. My two sons and my former spouse all experienced the loss of our house very differently.

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Despite losing his physical belongings, he did not mourn their loss. “It’s simply my personality that keeps me detached from material things. Being materialistic isn’t a part of my character. In fact, I found a sense of relief in getting rid of the clutter. I was the one who suffered the least. It’s not a unique trait about me; it’s just how I am. I’m not defined by possessions. The clothes I lost didn’t leave a void in my heart. There were movie posters I cherished, and occasionally, I would reminisce about them.

Since the late ’90s, Derrickson has been a seasoned writer and director, but unfortunately, he misplaced all hard copies of every screenplay he ever wrote, which were kept in a single pile at his office. “Most likely, the majority of these are lost forever. I didn’t keep digital copies due to system updates and other technical issues. I also lost a significant amount of movie memorabilia. I had accumulated quite a bit, including a vast DVD collection and a massive classic movie poster collection, some of which were unique pieces. However, I never truly grieved for these material possessions because what mattered most was that my family was safe.

Despite all the experiences and accomplishments, there’s one particular keepsake that continues to resonate deeply with Derrickson – a charm bracelet crafted by his son when he was 12 years old during their shared adventures. This unique piece, filled with personal memories, caught Derrickson’s eye during the Doctor Strange press junket and media tour as Derrickson wore it. He described it as both beautiful and artistic. The sentimental value of this gift lies in its creator, Dashiel, who dedicated a significant amount of time to making it for his father. Losing it is something that still weighs heavily on Derrickson’s heart, as he knows he will never be able to retrieve it again.

Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, Derrickson has reached out to colleagues in the industry and close friends who have unfortunately lost their homes. One of these individuals is Miles Teller, who acts alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in Derrickson’s upcoming film, “The Gorge,” set for release on Apple TV+ on February 14th. Derrickson conveyed his support to Teller, saying he understands what the latter is going through as he has experienced a similar situation himself.

In this revised version, I aimed to maintain the original’s structure and meaning while making it more conversational and easier for readers to understand.

Comforting words can be quite soothing. Derrickson recalls something that Wenders told his son during their weekend in New York City, following the screening of Wings of Desire. They all gathered at a hotel for celebration after the restoration, and on this particular day, Atticus was visibly upset. Although Wim isn’t typically talkative, when he speaks, it carries great meaning. “I will never forget this,” Derrickson said. “As we were about to leave, Wim called out to Atticus, who turned towards him. Wim said, ‘Hang onto your memories. No one can destroy them.’

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2025-01-14 03:55