AMC’s second concert movie, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, though clearly frontloaded in its previews/Friday with a Saturday tumble of -48% ($6M), remains solid enough to hit a $22M opening, per industry sources.
Georgia’s creative industries are bustling this month. There is so much happening as productions sprint to a brief holiday pause before full steam ahead in 2024. Mixed in with all this activity are several great events. Almost daily there are ways one can fill up their social calendar and we will do our best to keep covering these as they happen in our newsletter and social outlets.
T Dawg Productions is pleased to announce the eagerly anticipated return of the Holiday Hootenanny, a festive event that brings together top-tier Atlanta talent for a night of music, charity, and community. The Hootenanny will take place on December 17th, 2023, at the renowned Variety Playhouse.
The Southeastern Conference Football Championship Game will be held in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium through at least 2031, it was announced Thursday by the SEC, AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA).
Not only has Griffin helped launch the careers of regional talent like Walton Goggins and Kyle Chandler, she helped found the Georgia Production Partnership and was one part of the committee that helped create the entertainment tax incentive program that’s brought so much film and television production to Georgia.
Neal has worked on the water for more than 25 years, with a business that specialized in boat and kayak tours. But when the film business began to expand in Georgia early in the last decade, productions started renting boats and other equipment from him. He saw an opportunity and seized it.
The airport has partnered with Ryan Cameron, a renowned radio host in Atlanta. Cameron’s voice will be used as the airport’s automated message system, which will help guide passengers through overhead announcements.
With a focus on linking film makers in one community to film makers in another community, the Athens Film Vertical…
Columbus Game Master and Business-Owner Chris Poirier chatted with Georgia Entertainment before the Unscripted Roadshow in Columbus to share his insights into the local gaming scene.
Lisa Anders, CDME, Executive Director of Explore Gwinnett (Tourism & Film Office), takes listeners on a captivating journey through Gwinnett County, a place that has become a magnet for filmmakers and tourists.
Set in rural Georgia, FORTUNE is a Southern Gothic tale of greed, where a blue collar timber yard worker miraculously wins a massive lottery jackpot, but then loses the ticket before he can cash it in.
Owner of Plum Good Productions Keith Plumber sits down with Georgia Entertainment to talk about the thriving Indie film scene in Athens.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) urged Congress to develop a comprehensive policy framework that ensures entertainment workers are protected as generative artificial intelligence technologies, if left unchecked, represent the next frontier of large-scale online piracy.
The recently ended concurrent strikes in Hollywood seemed to threaten the overall film and TV production ecosystem, but they actually wound up strengthening an emergent source of finance for the industry: private credit.
The streamers with logos on Swift’s website where you can stream the film are currently Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, and Xfinity.
Following the VSU mass media student groups’ trip to Trilith Studios in Atlanta, VSU has finally gotten the opportunity to have a collaboration with the Georgia Film Academy.
Twenty-two-year-old Bryce Raburn wears many hats. He’s a freelance musician, producer, engineer and musical arranger. The Georgia Military College Preparatory School alum also earned his bachelor’s degree in music production from Full Sail University in 2022.
Columbus Film Commissioner Joel Slocumb and Film Augusta’s Jennifer Bowen helped attendees understand what it takes to truly drive ‘heads in beds’ while also rallying and educating local businesses on how to best engage entertainment firms.
The DC Studios movie “Superman: Legacy” will begin production in March 2024 at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville.
Variety caught up with her in Nashville, where she’s relocated since signing a co-deal with Sony Music Nashville and the company’s mainstream Columbia division, although she makes no bones about her true colors being located back in Georgia.
Whether it’s Mario Kart or Mortal Kombat, video games have been a popular pastime for decades, but in recent years, gaming has leveled up into a mega-popular sports division — and even career opportunity.
The Black Friday box office saw “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” continue to stretch ahead of new releases like Disney’s animated adventure “Wish” and Apple and Sony’s historical epic “Napoleon.”
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced that Major League Baseball has awarded the 2025 All-Star Game Presented by Mastercard and accompanying All-Star Week events to the Atlanta Braves.
Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) announced that it has established “Sony Innovation Fund: Africa” as an initiative to support the growth of the entertainment businesses in Africa.
Ludacris is helping you get into the holiday spirit — and no, it isn’t with a new Christmas single. The “Stand Up” rapper is trading the recording studio for a film set as he’s starring in the new Disney holiday movie Dashing Through the Snow.
Juror No. 2 will mark the Oscar winner’s first film since 2021’s Cry Macho. While Eastwood starred in and directed Cry Macho, Juror No. 2 is led by a cast including Hoult, Collette, Gabriel Basso, Zoey Deutch, Chris Messina, Leslie Bibb and Kiefer Sutherland, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The board of directors of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Inc. (GACVB) has named Amanda Dyson-Thornton as Executive Director to lead GACVB, the statewide trade association and nonprofit organization representing Georgia’s tourism bureaus.
The Labor Exchange Platform is a component of WorkSource Georgia, which serves as the state’s employment and training system designed to bridge the gap between skilled individuals and job opportunities. WorkSource Georgia is administered by TCSG’s Office of Workforce Development.
Since its inception — which tech reporter Taylor Lorenz dates back to the mid-2000s in her new book “Extremely Online” — the industry has grown from early-day fashion and lifestyle influencers who promoted products, to creators across a wide range of niches like personal finance, gaming, and travel, many earning a substantial living.
To celebrate the decades-long relationship between Disney & Make-A-Wish – as well as the November 22 release of “Wish” – fans across the country are invited to Wish Together and discover all the ways we can help foster life-changing wish granting for children with critical illness through Make-A-Wish.
The Savannah Film Alliance Honors Gala, presented by I.A.T.S.E. Local 491, honored eight creative individuals on Friday evening, November 17, 2023, for their contributions to the growth of the local film and television industry. The Gala was hosted by Steven Michael Quezada, who is best known for portraying DEA Agent Steven “Gomie” Gomez on the TV series “Breaking Bad.”
Winfrey and The Color Purple cast were emotional as they spoke about the power of director Blitz Bazawule’s musical adaptation of the film and how much the movie has impacted their lives.
UTA’s CEO Jeremy Zimmer kicked off UNLOQ404, our inaugural creators summit, with a promise to Atlanta’s creator community: “Our business has always been about finding undiscovered voices and helping them foster their careers. It’s about being in business with people who have a dream and a passion.”
As we get closer to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral, many people across Metro Atlanta are remembering her, including Xernona Clayton.
When it comes to the USA’s music capitals, Atlanta might seem an unusual choice. Despite being embedded in the Deep South and sharing the same embryonic musical legacies of blues, gospel, hip-hop and country as neighboring Tennessee, Atlanta is a city that has often been overshadowed by its more iconic cousins, Memphis and Nashville.
Georgia Entertainment, in partnership with the Savannah Regional Film Commission, Coastal Entertainment Alliance and Savannah Film Alliance hosted the eighth 2023 Georgia Unscripted Roadshow at The Alida Hotel in downtown Savannah.
WABE will premiere a new Thanksgiving family tradition with a special SOUNDS LIKE ATL concert film featuring the world-renowned Spelman College Glee Club. The 90-minute original episode, produced by WABE Studios, airs Thanksgiving Day–Thursday, November 23–at 8 p.m., with an encore at 9:30 p.m., on WABE TV (PBS/Ch. 30) and streaming on wabe.org.
The report, which surveyed over 1,000 Americans ages 16 to 25, found that Gen Z values flexible, creative jobs and careers where they can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The odds were ever in favor of “The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which emerged victorious in a busy box office weekend despite opening slightly behind expectations.
Ahead of the Georgia Unscripted Roadshow in Savannah on Saturday, Jezlan Moyet was interviewed by Becky Sattero for WTOC’s Morning Break.
Martha Zoller on WDUN conducted an extended interview with Randy Davidson, President of Georgia Entertainment, last week. The interview covered a variety of topics related to workforce development, career choices and education.
Opportunities like this hearing and other efforts to engage local and statewide leaders show the power of cooperation, collaboration and the willingness of all stakeholders to work together for the common good. It’s a good day to be in Georgia.
The PSAs, which were created to feel approachable and relatable to viewers, are available starting today on this link and next week on the IPR Center’s website and YouTube channel.
Across the world, 69% of players agree video games build problem-solving, cognitive and teamwork and collaboration skills, with 84% of U.S. players saying video games improve problem-solving skills.
“We’re going to have industry standard stuff here for music, for creatives. You won’t have to leave to go to LA, Nashville, Atlanta; you can stay here and do it and that’s what we want to cultivate.”
A film that used Cherokee County locations as the backdrop for its movie has recently been released to an online streaming platform.
“I am honored and thrilled to assume the CEO role at Crafty Apes. The company’s remarkable agility, as well as our team’s dedication to client satisfaction and focus on artists sets us apart. I am committed to fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our clients and teams,” said Newell.
Atlanta-based songwriter and producer Dallas Austin joins the ASP team as music director for the film, the first comprehensive look at the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games. As music director, Austin will produce an original theme song, recruit talent and direct “The Games in Black & White” soundtrack.
Film Pitch ATL, Atlanta’s premier monthly event since 2018 dedicated to empowering and connecting filmmakers, marks its fifth-year milestone. What began as an educational platform for filmmakers to hone their pitching skills and receive invaluable feedback from industry experts has evolved into a vibrant hub for film professionals, enthusiasts, and aspiring creatives.
Less than 48 hours before SAG-AFTRA members begin voting on ratifying their new deal with the studios, the actors guild has released an extensive summary of the potential three-year contract.
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group and Domain Capital Group, a private investment services firm, announced today a co-financing agreement that will span multiple years over the course of the deal, and reflects Warner Bros. expanded focus of theatrical films as the company continues to grow its diverse slate of movies across every genre for audiences across the globe.
Metro Atlanta Charity Activations Highlighted with “Toys for Tots” Campaign, and Ticket Donation Program for Title 1 Schools and Student Programs
Walking the Land in South Georgia: We were in Brooks and Lowndes County this week meeting with officials and partners about the upcoming Georgia Unscripted roadshow scheduled for January 26, 2024. This event was supposed to happen in September, but postponed because of hurricane Idalia’s damage to the region.
Disney/Marvel’s The Marvels has come in with the lowest start ever for a Disney MCU title worldwide and internationally. The $110.3M global launch estimate includes $63.3M from the international box office in 51 material markets, and $47M from domestic.
In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which is taking place Nov. 13 – 19, 2023, RE:IMAGINE, will be participating in a panel hosted by Alliance for Media Arts + Culture, kicking off their annual fundraising campaign, and highlighting success stories throughout the week.
The studio currently offers 32 soundstages, spanning 653,150 square feet across more than 1.5 million square feet of production facilities – including construction workshops, costume shops, and an extensive 400-acre backlot.
This night will feature illusionist Drew Worsham, storyteller Jason Dyba, artist Tiago Magro, and more.
Savannah is a party nobody wants to miss. It’s film, TV, music, gaming and art run wild. And it’s also the Georgia coastal epicenter for the entertainment industry – the place to be November 17, 2023, when Unscripted roadshow hits town to revel on the rooftop of Marriott’s Alida Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel on River Street.
Gray continued to execute across its portfolio of high-quality television stations and digital platforms as it combines its market-leading local news with strong network programming to deliver unparalleled reach for advertisers. In the third quarter of 2023, Gray’s total revenue increased by $202 million or 34% compared to 2021, our most recent non-political year.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) congratulates the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for reaching a tentative agreement in their negotiations with the studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Bowen Schmidt is the first entertainment law firm ever to receive this honor. “To determine the 2023 ELITE Firm of the Year winner, we seriously considered the factors that impact a successful business, an influential leader, and a true Firm of the Year,” announced Crisp.
Gray Television & Universal Production Services launch full-service state of the art television and film
studios creating thousands of jobs for Georgians.
Last night, film professionals booked flights and began traveling between major markets and Atlanta to get right back to work…
Originally hailing from the Georgia coast, Ford discussed how Savannah is a special market for industry professionals and how resources have helped build the creative network in the region.
After 118 days of the actors guild being out on strike, SAG-AFTRA and the studios have reached a tentative deal on a new contract that could see Hollywood up and running again within weeks.
Lionsgate, one of the biggest movie studios in the world, will be the lead tenant at a new film and TV complex in Douglas County.
Georgia Entertainment today announced the date and location of their Signature Georgia Entertainment 100. The event will take place on December 14th at Skillshot Media inside the immaculate Atrium lobby in Uptown Buckhead. The special invite only affair is timed to land in the middle of ‘Games Week Georgia’ and takes place the evening before DreamHack kicks off.
Chris Brearton was in Georgia last night as part of UGA’s Terry College of Business Alumni Spotlight Series. Brearton oversees MGM’s unscripted TV, the MGM+ streaming service and also holds the role of VP of corporate strategy for Amazon’s Prime Video and Studios.
Hawke, who was in Georgia to premiere his newest directorial achievement at RIFF, stopped by PAM Studios Friday morning for an exclusive discussion with acclaimed actress Danielle Deadwyler and former RIFF Creative Director Michael Dunaway.
Held at the charming Vino Venue in Dunwoody, the event was a great resource for Georgia-based businessmen and women to connect and network with others in the area.
A newly released study based on unprecedented access to Georgia film production data confirms the state’s film tax incentive has fueled billions in economic activity statewide — $8.55 billion in fiscal year 2022 alone; is responsible for nearly 60,000 jobs; and generates a return on investment of $6.30 for every $1 in tax incentive.
The State of Esports Update: This week’s episode covers the recap of the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge Ultimate Game – a month long competition held in the Skillshot Atrium.
Georgia Entertainment, in partnership with the City of Rome, Rome Floyd Chamber, and the Rome International Film Festival held the seventh 2023 Georgia Unscripted Roadshow at the historic Desoto Theatre in downtown Rome. The event gathered local business owners, entertainment executives, and creatives along with legislators and government officials to learn more about the creative economy in Northwest Georgia.
Tyler hit the red carpet with a star-studded lineup: Oprah Winfrey, Tina Knowles, and David Oyelowo, to name a few. Director duo Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz were also there to promote what Variety is calling “an uplifting portrait (that) puts Tyler Perry’s career in its proper context, stressing how faith and forgiveness account for the indie creator’s success.”
A $200 million film studio in Douglas County could become the new Georgia home base for California-based entertainment giant Lionsgate. Great Point Studios has locked in Lionsgate on leasing agreements for eight sound stages.
The Castellows, who released their debut single “No. 7 Road” on Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records in October, lean into their Southern roots with a neo-traditional sound showcasing Powell on banjo, Ellie on lead guitar and Lily on vocals.
Originally, Denis Villeneuve’s high-profile tentpole Dune: Part Two was set to open this weekend, but the movie fled to 2024 because of the actors strike prohibition on stars doing any promotion.
Now You See Me 3 – The third film in the heist thriller franchise with returning cast Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Morgan Freeman. Ruben Fleischer directs with a screenplay from Michael Lesslie. Alex Kurtzman and Bobby Cohen are once again producing.
The Georgia Unscripted Roadshow event’s next stop is Rome on November 2nd. The event will be held at the Desoto Theatre in the heart of downtown. The event will highlight entertainment opportunities in the region with a focus on workforce development and local businesses participating in the growth of the creative economy.
Legendary actress Kathryn Leigh Scott, best known for her roles in gothic soap opera Dark Shadows as Maggie Evans and Josette DuPres, will be appearing at The Mad Monster Expo in Atlanta Nov. 17-19, 2023!
Functioning as a liaison between the industry and hospitality partners, city and county departments, public works, public safety, local businesses, and issuing film permits for Rome and Floyd County.
“We know that there is a lot of growth and popularity around esports and we also know that we have an undefeated varsity team at Augusta University so we wanted to build the best esports arena for our students,” Susan Davies, VP of Enrollment and Student Affairs at Augusta University.
The grant was awarded to the Emory Sports Performance and Research Center (SPARC) to establish the Georgia Initiative for Virtual Reality, Education and Sport (GIVES) program
The State of Georgia, a leader in global film production, has been using its signature partnership approach working with the public and private sector to produce film opportunities. Results can be seen year-round in every corner of the state.
Georgia Entertainment, the leading source of news and information about the film, music, esports/gaming and other areas of digital entertainment, has announced a bi-annual printed publication. Georgia Entertainment: The Creative Economy Journal’s inaugural issue will be distributed to 3,903 professionals in December.
Get ready to be swept away by a tidal wave of humor and creativity as the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival (ACFF) descends upon Atlanta, Georgia on November 11th and 12th, 2023.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) announced today that it will acquire the 33% stake in Hulu, LLC held by Comcast Corp.’s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) NBC Universal (NBCU), following Comcast’s November 1 exercise of its right under the put/call arrangement between the two companies.
President Biden is issuing a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI).
A Watershed Moment for the Blerd CommunityIn a game-changing move for the gaming industry, Microsoft appointed Sarah Bond as President…
At the outset, it is important to point out that there are two copyright interests in a song – the musical composition (the lyrics and sheet music) and the sound recording (the specific performance of those lyrics and sheet music). So while a musical composition may be in the public domain, the sound recording may not be.
Daisy Ridley has found her next project – a survival thriller from Zak Hilditch, director of Stephen King adaptation 1922.
The movie industry has gone through a tremendous transformation in the last few years — streaming giants, artificial intelligence, and the rise of independent films have changed the game substantially. But we’re entering a new era that is in many ways the inverse of Hollywood’s ‘golden age’?
Creative Director of the Rome International Film Festival, Seth Ingram, shares what 20 years of RIFF has looked like.
When you look at Creative Economies closely, it becomes clear that the Film and Television Industry is pivotal in their success. Film and Television draw indirectly from a myriad of related creative industries, such as graphic design, fashion, culinary and music.
A quartet of upcoming conference performances by ensembles in the Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music will place Columbus State University students center stage nationally and internationally. Performances of this caliber spotlight the school’s strengths while developing students’ musical interests and talents.
Universal/Blumhouse’s big screen version of nine-year-old videogame Five Nights at Freddy’s has hit an unprecedented $78M opening, $4.4M shy of what Uni wowed with earlier this summer in firing up Oppenheimer ($82.4M).
Atlanta is the innovation hub for Black entrepreneurs, business leaders and creators, and serves as the number one Black entrepreneurial center and start ecosystem that convenes the world’s most innovative leaders who are changing business, culture and society.
Randy Davidson, President of Georgia Entertainment, was recently interviewed by Rome Business Radio along with Seth Ingram of the Rome International Film Festival. The interview comes ahead of the Georgia Unscripted Roadshow event to be held on November 2nd at the Desoto Theatre.
As the number of productions has grown, so has the infrastructure to support it. According to an April 2023 report by FilmLA Research, Georgia already had 3 million square feet of soundstage space by the end of 2021 — up from 2 million a year earlier — including Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Atlanta) and EU/Screen Gems Studios.
The studios have warned that next year’s summer blockbusters could be postponed, and TV shows could be canceled, if no deal is reached in the coming week.