The “May Madness” of college esports also supported 358 jobs and nearly 900 total hotel room nights for the region while welcoming more than 2,600 ticket holders.
Skillshot Media, a leading esports production company, and Ghost Gaming, the Atlanta-based professional esports and lifestyle organization, today announced a partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Film Academy, and founding partner universities across Georgia to launch the Georgia Esports League (GEL).
Georgia is celebrating continued growth and investment from the film and television industry. Numbers announced earlier this month show productions spent a record-breaking $4.4 billion in the state during fiscal year 2022.
The festival starts today, August 18 and continues through Sunday, August 21 with film screenings and events in multiple venues throughout the city.
Film crews set up at an old farmhouse in Grant this summer to work on the Signature Films production “Marmalade.” The romantic heist features Camila Morrone, Aldis Hodge, and “Stranger Things” star Joe Keery.
Em Fergusson, the Marketing & Communications Chair with the Georgia Production Partnership, said GPP’s focus will stay behind the lens. “People are going to say things and have been saying things for years but our goal and our focus is to really encourage folks in the industry to keep pressing on,” said Fergusson.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) once again advances creative education with the formation of four schools: the School of Creative Technology, School of Animation and Motion, School of Film and Acting, and School of Visual Communication.
Located just under 10 miles from downtown Savannah sits one of the state’s most popular historic sites with one of the longest filmographies of any location in our area.
After three years of fundraising and planning, Savannah Jazz has set the grand opening date for its Savannah Jazz History and Hall of Fame Exhibit for September 17 in the Savannah History Museum.
Early response to Athena Studios’ purpose-built, state-of-the-art space for TV and film production prompted the purchase of 65 acres adjacent to the original 45-acre site for additional stage, support and vendor space.
Attorney Matthew Wilson of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP is among those who say the issue of whether promoters can continue to use public property to host live events after the 2019 gun ruling is real and could lead to a significant economic hit for the state.
Content Talent South (CTS) will identify, represent, and produce the work of Georgia-based writers and content creators. In addition, the company will provide consulting services to brands, businesses, and education initiatives in Georgia and beyond.
“We’ve put together a fantastic Board here at PC&E with great industry experience,” said Mark Wofford President & CEO of PC&E. “I’m looking forward to working with them as PC&E continues to serve our industry.”
Former GFA Executive Director Jeffrey Stepakoff stepped down from his position effective July 23 to form a new talent management and production company. He will assist in the process of finding a successor to ensure a smooth transition.
In all, 11 students and six alumni represented Columbus State through a variety of internship and crew roles, according to Dr. Danna Gibson, chair of the Department of Communication.
“We had a whole session last night about learning how to love people. Whether you’re just loving your crew, as you’re taking good care of them on a set and loving the audience that is sitting in the seats that you want to bless their lives with the art that you’re producing,” said Kendrick.
Presented by Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the three-day conference is the premier annual event for the state’s travel and hospitality industry. This year’s conference drew more than 400 tourism industry professionals from across the state.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) says that the tax credit program, which was created in 2021, has attracted six projects that have been approved and are currently in various stages of production. Each are expected to bring more than $1 million to the state.
“The Governor’s actions today speak to the values held by so many people across the film and TV production industry,” she said. “More than ever, California offers the best value and the best values.”
With $662 million in domestic ticket sales, the Top Gun sequel looks like it will also dethrone Avengers: Infinity War, which earned $678 million, and become the sixth highest grossing movie of all time in the United States and Canada.
The complex will initially consist of four sound stages, support buildings, production offices and a fully equipped educational facility that will be the home of the UGA Film School and the Georgia Film Academy. The studio expects to be open for business in the first quarter of 2023.
For the past three weeks, production has set up shop in Tifton for filming of “The Holiday Dating Guide,” a film that Fitzgerald actor and producer Alexander Kane describes as the “Hitch” meets “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” of Christmas films, bringing in the whole “Christmas in July” spirit.
Atlanta-based PAM (Playa Azul Media) Studios, LLC and Rome PAM Studios, the first Latina-owned production company in Georgia, is excited to announce PAM Studios has hired Martha Parker as its new CFO.
“The Campaign” – a comedy/fantasy series independently produced by Action Show Studios and J&J Productions – is now available to viewers via OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming services The Roku Channel and The Fantasy Network.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has been named one of MovieMaker’s 40 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada of 2022. The annual list recognizes schools that prepare students for every aspect of moviemaking — spanning world-renowned universities as well as rising, surprisingly affordable institutions.
Over 5 generations, we’ve seen the wax cylinder, the 78 rpm (revolutions per minute), the 45 rpm, the cassette, the 8 track, the DAT, the 33 rpm vinyl LP, the CD, and now, “air.” Music and other programming are streamed or downloaded worldwide with only a picture of the selection to identify it.
Game development and esports remain two of the fastest growing forms of entertainment in the world, with Georgia turning into a leading state for both. Join our panel of experts from Hi-Rez Studios, Skillshot Media and more as they share tips and secrets to help you join these amazing fields.
Volumes of data on the U.S. economy are being reported on these days—and some of it is downright frightening. One day, we’re heading toward a recession; the next, we look to avert it.
Georgia’s film and TV industry is a $4.4 billion a year. That’s according to Governor Brian Kemp; he says that’s their biggest year ever. However, how much is Macon taking in from Hollywood productions?
University of West Georgia theatre alumnus Terrence J. Smith ’14 thought this to himself many times during his first day on set for “The Color Purple.” In this musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel about the struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s, Smith plays Adam, son of protagonist and narrator Celie.
Michelle Davis, AGG Corporate & Finance and Technology associate and member of the firm’s Entertainment & Sports industry team, will lead the intellectual property discussion during the Marketing, Brand, and IP session of the University of Georgia’s fourth annual Innovation Bootcamp for Creatives on October 4, 2022.
The Georgia Film Office, a strategic office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), reported that the State of Georgia hosted 412 productions, represented by 32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 television and episodic productions, 42 commercials, and 33 music videos between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
The agency also has taken steps to identify and disallow expenditures that are ineligible under the law or that have limited economic benefit to the state and updated the manual and training materials for tax examiners who process the credit.
Nope was dope at the box office. With the Daniel Kaluuya-led horror/mystery/sci-fi debuting at the top, all three Jordan Peele movies, including Get Out and Us, bowed at number one.
Randy Davidson, President of Georgia Entertainment: “Columbus is among the most progressive communities in the Southeast and it doesn’t take long to recognize this when interacting with entities like the Columbus Film Commission and other organizations here.”
“What does Pam Winter bring to Brook? Just a wealth of B2B digital marketing know-how and SaaS technology sales experience.”
Game development and esports remain two of the fastest growing forms of entertainment in the world, with Georgia turning into a leading state for both. Join our panel of experts from Hi-Rez Studios, Skillshot Media and more as they share tips and secrets to help you join these amazing fields.
Jonathan Kieran is a film programmer hailing from Essex County, Massachusetts. After making a start as an amateur filmmaker at the tender age of 22, he moved across the country to take a spot at the Master of Fine Arts program in Film Production at the University of New Orleans.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival kicks off with a gala opening night screening and reception, while the rest of the week features scheduled competition screenings, premiere screenings, workshops, lectures, panels, and receptions.
Find out how public relations and marketing are essential for your production, how to build a solid communications plan, and much more.
Streaming episodic and limited-series productions continue to choose Georgia for hit programming. Evidence came this year in the form of 46 Emmy nominations, including those for Season Four of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” which reached an all-time Neilson streaming record for its more than 7 billion minutes of viewing time during the first half of the season.
Andy Rusk, stuntman and stunt coordinator from Athens, grew up watching “Ted Turner’s Movies for Guys Who Like Movies” with his dad, bingeing on James Bond and Errol Flynn. He developed a love for action and the desire to learn how to put it together in front of the camera.
Riot Games has announced a change to their Worlds 2022 schedule as the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia becomes the new landing spot for the semifinals in place of Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
The winning film will go up against films from around the world at Filmapalooza 2023 (in Los Angeles!) for a chance at the grand prize and an opportunity to screen at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 Short Film Corner!
Those looking to launch their careers in the digital entertainment, film and television production industry can set the stage for success through Georgia Film Academy courses at Clayton State University this fall.
The difference this time around, industry insiders say, is lingering questions of whether ceasing filming in nearly half of the country is even possible, especially in states that collectively hand out billions a year in tax breaks to productions.
Frequent players of video games show superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and enhanced activity in key regions of the brain as compared to non-players, according to a recent study by Georgia State University researchers.
Three newcomers – Where the Crawdads Sing, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris – could not wrestle Thor: Love and Thunder from its top spot at the box office.
Film Augusta is excited to announce the release of The Royal, which filmed in Augusta in 2019, in theaters and on streaming platforms July 15, 2022.
What’s happening: Pennsylvania’s General Assembly gave the state’s film industry a $30 million boost as part of a delayed $42.8 billion budget approved late last week.
For some reason, it always feels special when a movie is set in your state. Maybe it’s because you feel a little closer to the action, like you have the inside scoop. I, for one, always point at the screen and yell, “That’s where I’m from!” every time a movie so much as mentions my home state.
From shopping for last-minute costumes.. to hotel stays and dining, the more than 100-person production crew and actors are bringing local businesses a boost in sales in the two week span of filming.
Alex Tyra was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 1997. During one of her hospitalizations to treat the cancer in her blood and bone marrow, she had a vision while watching TV.
Thor: Love and Thunder thundered globally with $302 million. And also, worldwide, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic: World Dominion, and Minions: The Rise of Gru are nearing $1.2 billion, $900 million, and $400 million, respectively.
Is Columbus a viable place to film? Is the economic, workforce and political structure in the region strong enough to support a gaming or esports venture? Are there suppliers in Columbus that can handle the needs and complexities of music, film and gaming companies?
Greenlight Acting Studios Presents Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County. With its foray into the Atlanta theatre world, Greenlight will present a compelling new production of Tracy Letts’ prizewinning play, August: Osage County running August 17 through 28, 2022 at the Stage Door Theatre in Dunwoody, GA. Acclaimed director Forrest Attaway sits at the helm.
disguise, the market leader in extended reality (xR) technology, has acquired Atlanta-based immersive entertainment specialists Meptik, to empower the global deployment of trailblazing immersive productions, studios and installations delivered by Meptik and powered by disguise.
The art department is full of people who are a very important part of making any project look its best. The work they do helps shape the characters, gives the audience context for the story, grounds the actors, and transports us to magical places by taking the words on the page and translating them into real-life physical items and spaces.
RoadShow Africa is pleased to announce the first annual event for African filmmakers – The Africa Film Showcase. RoadShow Africa is the first platform to offer investors the opportunity to participate in a diverse portfolio of risk-mitigated media projects involving filmmakers from Africa engaging with Georgia.
Filmmaker, actor and studio owner Tyler Perry has found success in his career, and says he’s motivated to keep going by the people who work for him and the ancestors who came before him.
Iceland’s film commission on Thursday announced it’s increasing tax breaks to movies and television projects that shoot in the country from 25 percent to 35 percent, launching it into the upper tier of international filming locations when it comes to incentives.
The prize is awarded for an original poem written by a Georgia high school student. This annual program is designed to encourage students in grades nine through 12 to write original poems and engage in the art form of poetry.
The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office said its special response team was cast as SWAT team members in a film starring John Travolta. Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Major Joe McCrea also shared the screen with stars John Travolta and Kristin Davis during filming in Columbus.
But economics are not on the side of those who would like to see studios quit the Peach State. Georgia’s attempts to restrict abortion in 2019 didn’t deter Marvel, Tyler Perry, and other major studios from doing business there, for example.
Elvis Presley is King again. After Elvis and Top Gun: Maverick duked it out for number one, locked in a dead heat, the King prevailed over Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
At the forefront of exceptional growth and expansion for Bennett Thrasher, Jeff will lead the firm through evolution in new markets and services to help the firms’ clients continue to succeed and grow.
Taylor Montalto grew up obsessed with movies and was inspired to study film by her idol, Nora Ephron. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Taylor’s passion for all things film and photography-related has driven her to work on various projects in both documentary and narrative mediums.
Kids Video Connection, Inc. will present the 15th annual Atlanta Children’s Film Festival (ACFF) from July 7 – 24, 2022. The ACFF features two weeks of eye-opening and exciting activities, including film screenings and workshops for children, teens, and industry professionals.
The event will be held at Areu Brothers Studio located at 3133 Continental Colony Pkwy, Atlanta GA 30331 on Sunday, June 26th from 5 – 9 p.m. Early Bird tickets will be available through June 13th: $50 for GPP members and $75 for non-members.
The Georgia Film Academy and Atlanta Technical College Continuing Education are offering Introduction to Digital Entertainment, Esports & Game Development (GFA 1500) this summer and fall! Registration is now open through their portal – open to anyone!
Our July meeting will be held in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s CreateX accelerator and feature David Schulman, one of the leading game industry lawyers in the South.
“When we started working on the intersection of creativity and enterprise, there was no other place we could go,” Best said. “If you think about where there are so many enterprise businesses and a creator community, Atlanta is the only place in the country that has what it has.”
The investment includes a capital commitment of $500 million that will support Shadowbox’s growth strategy, including existing soundstage development projects in the Atlanta, London, and Los Angeles metro areas with over $1.5 billion of expected capital investment.
The Columbus Entertainment 100 event, presented by Georgia Entertainment News and the Columbus Film Commission is set for July 20th at the beautiful Chattahoochee River Club. The evening affair will host the who’s who of entertainment including directors, producers and studio executives.
An expansion underway at EUE/Screen Gems Studios’ Atlanta campus will add 60,000 square feet of first-class production soundstage space including an additional 15,000 square feet of production office space and 15,000 square feet of mill/support space.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) today announced the inaugural class of the MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law & Policy Fellowship program.
The School of Film, Media & Theatre capped off the year with its annual showcase, the Georgia State University Student Film Festival (GSUSFF). The festival celebrates student films written, produced and directed by current film and media majors and M.A. production students of the 2021-2022 academic year.
In a Savannah movie theatre 22 years ago, a four-year-old girl sat, entranced, watching the blockbuster Titanic with her mother. It was an event that would make a lasting impression on her life and career.
Now music supervisors are looking to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE. According to IATSE, 75% of film and television music supervisors have signed authorization cards to join the union.
Top business leaders and trade officials from Belgium, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, visited Georgia State on Monday for a firsthand look at the university’s cutting-edge game design and production facilities.
As it is, Tom Cruise’s Top Gun sequel easily cruised to $500 million – $548.6 million, to be exact – without those two countries. Maverick still has to open in Korea (it bows there on June 23) but it has already grossed $257 million in over 60 territories after two weekends.
A Columbus soccer player is hitting the big screen as Shevah Rezaee, a player on the Columbus Rapids soccer team, along with several other Georgia soccer players and referees are featured in the film “High Expectations.”
“Becoming ANNIKA” will also be shown on the NBC broadcast network on Sunday, June 5, ahead of final round coverage of the 77th U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica from Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
The five-day event will be presented by Chromatic Black in partnership with Steal The Sun Studios. The festival will also be accessible virtually from September 20 to September 30, 2022. Badges are now on sale at a 50 percent discount.
RoadShow Equity Partners is pleased to announce the launch of RoadShow Africa, the first platform to offer investors the opportunity to participate in a diverse portfolio of risk-mitigated media projects involving filmmakers from Africa engaging with Georgia.
Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) announced Peachtree TV as the exclusive broadcast home of the all-new patriotic celebration “Look Up Atlanta” on Sunday, July 3.
Savannah Jazz, in partnership with the City of Savannah and WSAV announces that the 41st Savannah Jazz Festival will take place September 20 – 24. Free, live, and in Person!
During the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020, Kelly Kline and her wife Symantha Reenders restored and re-imagined a 1970 Scotty Serro camper and turned it into a cozy, farm-style mobile bar, now known and available for bookings as Treehouse Tap.
On Friday, May 20, SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement with major broadcast networks and other producers on the National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (Network Television Code).
California’s economy took off with Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun: Maverick as its wingman, according to new data from the studio. The high-flying film added over $150 million to the economy when it filmed throughout the state. The production also created 2,820 high-quality jobs for Californians.
The Media Financial Management Association, which was founded in 1961 to provide nationwide professional development for finance executives in the media industry, will present the award to Trilith Studios at the association’s annual conference on May 25th.
Pamela Perrine has been making short films since she moved to Watkinsville about six years ago, and now her latest effort is available for public viewing on YouTube.
A Georgia teen got to see his film dreams come true thanks to the help of Georgia’s Make-A-Wish organization. At just 17-years-old Zach Breder is a filmmaker whose life hasn’t always been the easiest.
Back to Doctor Strange 2, Benedict Cumberbatch’s return as the surgeon-turned-superhero easily topped the domestic charts since a certain maverick pilot will not fly in till next week. The MCU epic picked up $31.6 million which added to the movie’s $342 million North American grosses so far.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced its slate of legislative endorsements for the 2022 Primary Election. As the premiere statewide business advocacy organization, the Chamber not only engages in public policy matters, but it also engages politically to ensure candidates for office remain focused on building a better state for business.
Time for a little trivia. What is the world’s fastest-growing sport? It’s not soccer. And it’s not pickleball (unless we’re…
Film Biz Savannah takes items from film sets that wrap up in the area and brings them to its warehouse for others to rent out. The environmental nonprofit was established in New York City back in 2008 handed over to now-President Samita Wolfe in 2016. Wolfe opened the doors in Savannah on Earth Day in 2017.
Breeze Airways, the new low-fare airline founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, announced that it is launching 5 new routes this summer from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
“The team at Trilith continues to set the standard for studio operations not just here in Georgia but globally,” said Kelsey Moore, Executive Director of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition. “We’re proud to announce this significant award and appreciate their leadership within the coalition.”
This year’s prizes totaled more than $160,000 in cash and partner donations, representing the single largest amount offered in the festival’s competitive categories. Additionally, ATLFF is pleased to share event facts and figures resulting from its hybrid blend of in-person and virtual presentations.