Yahoo TV

The red carpet is something of a Hollywood symbol.

So much so that before award ceremonies, the rolling out is an event in itself.

In a typical awards season, Toni Kilicoglu's Red Carpet Systems was supplying carpets to 25 to 50 events a week:

"The record is 15 parties in one day. During awards season, I don't sleep much. It's just nonstop".

But the global health crisis has upended business, slashing it by around 80 percent.

With a supply of plexiglass at his fingertips though, Kilicoglu has found work.

He's pivoted to making dividers for essential businesses.

Others haven't been so lucky.

Global restrictions have been devastating for the entertainment industry.

Movie theaters and music venues have been shuttered, while the production of many films and television shows has been halted.

With awards this year relegated to mostly online events, those behind the scenes are struggling to make ends meet.

These include security guards, florists, caterers and limousine drivers, who often make a living from the parties and movie premieres around the Golden Globes, Grammys and Oscars.

A year ago, photographer Alberto Rodriguez would have been jostling for position.

At the top of his game, Rodriguez was one of the very few photographers allowed to roam red carpets and interact personally with celebrities.

"I've done exclusively for 20 years so people who are looking for other types of photography will look at your resume and look at it and be like 'Well, you do that. I'm looking for something else.'"

To make ends meet, Rodriguez is delivering food and driving for Uber.

And like so many others, will be having an entirely different awards season this year.