The Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education (GACTE), the Georgia Department of Education, Explore Gwinnett and the Media Education Foundation of Georgia (MEFGA) presented an industry panel for high school Audio Video Technology and Film (AVTF) instructors from throughout the state of Georgia. The event was part of the Annual GACTE conference being held at Gas South Convention Center.
Lisa Anders of Explore Gwinnett moderated the panel that included
- John Carter – UGA Instructor
- Mandy McCowan – Trilith Institute
- Greg Waddle – IATSE Local #479
- Dan Rosenfelt – Electric Owl Studios
- Randy Davidson – Georgia Entertainment
Highlights included:
Dan Rosenfelt: “The past year and a half has been fairly difficult; the potential negotiations have caused some slow down but Atlanta and Georgia remain the strongest in the nation. We have the infrastructure to meet the needs of the industry.”
Greg Waddle: “We’re now a global media center with opportunities for Georgians to have careers in the film and television industry. It’s important to prepare our communities for what the future holds and how content will be changing, downsizing in the market for traditional content.”
Mandy McCowan: “Tell your students to take their phone, and go make a movie. Just make it, a lot of greatness happens that way. That’s the way to get started to find the lane of interest… More creatives are coming from and originating in Georgia and more work coming to our backyard.”
John Carter: “If we are going to be sustainable, we need brokers here. We need to get show runners, money and distribution in Georgia. There is a window of opportunity in the industry in Georgia now, and we are so close to having it all.”
