There’s a common refrain around Hollywood about election night plans: Put the champagne on ice.

The celebratory, star-studded events of yesteryear—basically anything before 2016—are just that, history, and have been replaced by casual, more intimate, anxiety-filled gatherings. The reason? It’s complicated and best explained by one of the most politically active producers in the industry.

“The biggest change for me personally is the understanding that we most likely won’t have a confirmed result until the end of election night. We’ve seen big changes now, with the postal vote being counted later than the in-person vote, so the idea of ​​having a “party” on election night doesn’t make sense because of this uncertainty, and others probably feel the same way. ,” explains Jamie Patricof, founder of Hunting Lane, an author-led film, television and documentary production company and longtime political activist. “The 2016 election was also traumatic for many people, and the fact that 2020 was extended to that Saturday changed the course of election night plans. For me, it’s more important now to be with friends, family, and people who have poured their hearts, time, and effort into getting candidates elected who are central to the policies and issues important to them and to us. There are many more days and nights for parties.”

Patricof was among the thousands inside the Javits Center in New York in 2016, the site of what was expected to be a roof-raising, glass-smashing celebration for Hillary Clinton. But as the results came in, Donald Trump emerged as the 45th President of the United States and the good vibes made the opposite of a graceful exit as they were vacuumed up in a flash, leaving wounds that still seem fresh.

“I’m personally still traumatized by being at the Javits Center, so I’ll probably do something less formal, and I wouldn’t be surprised if others feel the same,” relays another professional industry attendee, echoing Patricof’s sentiment . “The experience is etched in my memory. The slow disappearance of campaign staff as the early numbers came in, abandoned bars fully stocked. I stayed up late watching the report on the big screens with the few people who stayed because if I left, it really happened.” As a result, the insider says they’ll be hanging on at home: “I’ll say I’m cautiously optimistic, but I’m mentally preparing for the worst.”

The same can be said for the entertainment industry professionals surveyed by The Hollywood Reporter in the days leading up to November 5. Another of Hollywood’s hottest political organizers reports they’ll be “on the beat” on the set of their new movie as they watch the results trickle in. A well-placed communications director will play poker with friends as a distraction. Couch surfing with remote in hand for more than a handful who were asked to share plans. “People are honestly too scared to fake anything,” said one. Pizza and cable news are on the menu for a veteran manager. Kelli McNeil-Yellen, writer, producer and founder of KLA Media, will focus on a different menu, tackling a challenging recipe from Julia Child.

“My husband (director/cinematographer Alexander Yellen) and I got a bottle of mid-priced pinot noir to accompany the meal—nothing in the festive price range, but not cheap either—and tackle the original Julia Child boeuf bourguignon de to zero for two reasons: one, it will take hours to make and hopefully keep our minds off things, and two, we’ll need some comfort food and can’t think of anything that sticks to our ribs anymore better than an OG Julia. Recipe for kids,” McNeil-Yellen said.

As for Patricof, he plans to be stuck like glue “by all the experts I’ve spent day and night with over the last few years.” He continued: “This is like my Super Bowl. I can’t wait for Steve Kornacki’s camera (on NBC). I totally envy and respect anyone who can play Monopoly Deal and enjoy a Tuesday night taking their mind off the election. I will definitely take advantage of watching four windows at once on YouTube TV.”

But that will come only after a long day for Patricof, whose other plans on Election Day highlight another trend. Because of the exceptionally close race between Trump and the vice president Kamala Harrissome insiders aren’t keen on kicking up their heels and cracking open a cold one. Instead, they are focused on taking action through phone banks, canvassing, political rallies and last-minute organizing to squeeze every possible vote.

Patricof is teaming up with Congressman Eric Swalwell for what organizers have billed as “the largest phone banking event of the entire day.” It is doubled Everyone for Kamala and will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Hovercast, a virtual event platform with interactive live streaming features that prompt viewers to take action. Viewers will be able to participate in basic phone banking alongside politicians and notable names such as Ben Stiller, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Kelly Rowland, Ken Jeong, Mark Cuban, Kerry Washington, Joel McHale, Mark Ruffalo, Uzo AdubaBellamy Young, Bradley Whitford, Tony Goldwyn, Sophia Bush, Carole Radziwill, Quentin James, Mark Feuerstein, Shannon Watts, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ben Winkler, Doc Rivers, Ashlyn Harris, Max Greenfield and others.

Similarly, Stars in the house hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson are doing a second installment of their Election Day Vote-A-Thon, this time in partnership with the nonpartisan groups Broadway Votes and Joy to the Polls. As a fundraiser for the Entertainment Community Fund, the event will feature some of Broadway’s brightest stars including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Matthew Broderick, Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, Rachel Bloom, Jonathan Groff, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie Perez, Wayne Brady, Jessie Mueller, Shoshana Bean, J. Harrison Ghee, Andrea Martin, Javier Muñoz, Rachel Bay Jones, Nina West, Lauren Patten, stars from the original Broadway cast. fixativecast members Joy and more for six hours stream live. The event will feature music and dance performances and anecdotes from the front line at the polls.

A representative for the Women’s March confirmed that the organization is hosting a “workday” targeting Latino voters at its headquarters in Boyle Heights. The watch and phone banking party is an all-day affair, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For those who want real-life activities, there will be options.

The Harris-Walz campaign is hosting an event at a private office on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. “Instead of sitting and biting your nails alone while you watch the election results, do it with us and other like-minded people,” reads the official invitation to the event, which reads: party watch is hosted by Obama alumni and members of the local community.

California Democrats will support the races and watch the results at an undisclosed location in downtown Los Angeles, where elected officials, state leaders and party members are expected to be on hand. Partners for the event, which begins at 8 p.m., include Adam Schiff for Senate, the LA County Democratic Party and the LA County Federation of Labor.

Local Republicans have plenty of options for watch parties. A representative for the LA GOP directed THR to them website for a series of Tuesday evening gatherings. There’s a Patriot celebration at Matt Denny’s Ale House in Arcadia, a watch party at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles in Long Beach, an event at Tower 12 in Hermosa Beach, a gathering at Arnie’s Cafe in Tujunga (“Patriotic Dress,” featured in guests), and a big party at Coco Beach Bar & Grill in Marina Del Rey, hosted by Denny Schneider and featuring master of ceremonies Scott Carter, comedian John DiResta and local dignitaries.

“Join us on the night we’ve all fought, prayed and waited for for nine years,” reads a flyer promoting the latest event. “It will be a night of familiar faces, old friends and new coming together to celebrate Trump’s return and honor Shiva Beghari, an unsung hero of LA’s MAGA movement who has sacrificed much for the cause.” Also in the program: “Some offensive, politically incorrect comedy.”

While the champagne may be on ice for tomorrow, other Hollywood insiders continue to tread carefully when it comes to the rest of the week. “We have no idea what this week will bring,” reads an invitation that landed in our inbox today. “We’d still love to have you join us for an early screening…”

No word yet on how many RSVPs are rolling in as the future of American politics is decided at the polls. But as for that producer going on set, she offered some final thoughts via email: “We all feel that democracy will prevail.”