When she was young, sleepovers became film sets as Megan Lombardo made movies with her friends playing the starring roles. “I was always making videos as a little girl,” she says. “I don’t remember ever wanting to do anything else.”
Since its inception, SAG-AFTRA has endeavored to bring protections to its singer and recording artist members. Some may be familiar with…
Start your career or improve upon your current skills in the industry with advanced knowledge. The PA Academy shows you what it takes to succeed while preparing you for your first day on set or your transition from a dayplayer to a core crew member.
In a Collaborative project The CSU Theater and Film programs are partnering with the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians to create a film about her life, career and internationally acclaimed work.
“Esports is one of the fastest growing industries that we have in the country right now,” said Jeffrey Stepakoff, Director of the Georgia Film Academy that offers classes on careers in esports. “In many ways we’re trying to shape this business to help bring it to Georgia.”
Jeremy Pack is the general manager of a company based just outside Atlanta that loans out high-end digital cameras and lenses. Pack moved to Atlanta from Los Angeles in 2018, a decade into the existence of Georgia’s uniquely generous tax-credit program for movie and television production, which has transformed the state into arguably the most popular shooting location in the country.
The major entertainment studios spoke out against Georgia’s “heartbeat” abortion bill in 2019, saying they would “rethink” their production plans in the state if the law ever went into effect.
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!
Theatre Macon is pleased to announce their stage production of The Color Purple will run May 13 – May 22 at 438 Cherry St. This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story.
A local Atlanta movie studio owner who used to work for Tyler Perry has sued a financier who took over his studio, claiming the new owner blocked him out and diverted funds away from the studio itself.
Tammy Williams, set to become the first Black woman to own a major production studio in Georgia, started with a vision.
Georgia may be known for being one of the biggest international airline hubs in the nation, but another industry is becoming a profitable industry for the Peach State.
Always subject to change and often set before filming begins, here is the latest info on release dates for projects that filmed in Georgia.
With Doctor Strange madness not starting until next weekend, it was quiet both domestically and internationally. But the overseas box office universe saw more action.
Thanks to Skillshot Media for hosting us earlier this month. They have offered GGDA members free passes to the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup May 7-8! We will be making this our May GGDA meeting and hope to see you there.
Our featured composer/pianist this month is Tanya Ostrovsky. She was born in Russia and began her piano studies at an early age. Tanya was a student at the Leningrad Conservatory until the 5th grade. When her family moved to Moscow, her music soared to a different level. Film and TV credits soon came.
The announcement is the result of an exclusive agreement between AMC and Cinionic, the Barco cinema joint venture and global leader in laser-powered cinema solutions, to significantly upgrade the on-screen presentation at 3,500 auditoriums throughout the United States, with cutting-edge laser projectors.
Global sports piracy costs media companies $28 billion a year in lost revenue, according to a recent study from Synamedia/Ampere . The study found that 74% of fans using illegal streams might be willing to pay to switch to a legitimate streaming provider.
Pennsylvania operates a $70 million tax credit program to expand the state’s film industry. The tax credit can be used to offset a project’s tax liability if Pennsylvania production expenses make up at least 60% of a film’s total production expenses, according to the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Under the signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), RIAA and the IPR Center will coordinate public and private sector efforts to disrupt and combat all forms of digital piracy.
Mack, who is graduating from Georgia State this spring with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Game Design and Development, said getting introduced to gaming at an early age wasn’t just about enjoying a hobby. It was a life-changing experience.
The massive talent of Nicolas Cage and the brute force of the Vikings were no match to criminal animals at the box office.
Co-Directed by Zandashé Brown and Jessica Anthony, IN THE BONES is a cinematic journey through Mississippi providing a poetic and sometimes painful portrait of American culture through the ordinary lives of women and children.
Erica Orofino’s film ‘She Keeps Me’ is being featured at this year’s Atlanta Film Festival. The film depicts the relationship between two sisters that reaches a dangerous climax in this exploration of family ties, mental illness, and self sacrifice.
The Atlanta Film Society kicked off the 46th annual Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference (ATLFF) with an Opening Night presentation of the narrative feature “892” and the announcement of its news Board of Director appointments.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announces the return of SCADFILM’s signature SCAD GamingFest, streaming live to global audiences April 28–29, 2022.
The 46th annual Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference (ATLFF) revealed key programming highlights, including Opening and Closing Night presentations and the full lineup of selected works from a record-breaking nearly 10,000 submissions.
It’s Back! The Mountainfilm on Tour Savannah’s Film Festival is back April 29 – 30th at the Trustees Theater on Broughton Street! Please visit their website for tickets and the schedule lineup.
Northwest Georgia has become a hot spot for television and movie productions in recent years, including blockbusters such as “The Mule” starring Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper and Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Several production companies have flocked to the area to utilize the scenic backdrops and diverse settings that are offered.
The projects starting up aren’t quite as grandiose, with the most notable a movie version of the former MTV TV series “Teen Wolf,” which actually shot its first couple of seasons in Atlanta a decade ago before moving its final four seasons to California. Fox is also shooting a pilot of a comedy starring D.L. Hughley.
Are more families finally feeling safer about going back to the cineplexes? The record box office figures of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, pegged at $71 million, the highest weekend debut ever of a video game adaptation movie in the United States and Canada, maybe a promising sign.
Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that through the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022), job creation and investments resulting from economic development projects have already surpassed fiscal year 2021 year-end totals.
Business owners and entertainment professionals from Columbus and beyond attended the Film Columbus GA virtual event on Wednesday, April 13th. The event, usually held live, connects entertainment professionals, artists and local businesses.
You are invited to the VIP screening of the documentary “The Power of the Pen,” on April 19, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the Howard Jordan Auditorium in Jordan College of Business Administration building at Savannah State University.
Four new Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) degrees will prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry, such as film and TV production. Beginning fall semester 2022, GGC will offer nexus degrees in professional editing in film/television, motion picture set lighting, production for film and television, and production design.
The Columbus Film Commission is inviting those interested to attend the next Film Columbus GA event. This virtual event will take place on April 13th at 3:00 PM and will be hosted via ZOOM.
A filmmaker debuted a documentary Sunday that’s centered around Augusta. People got to see “Finding Home — a Journey Through Augusta’s 20th Century Past” at the Imperial Theatre. Work on the film began in 1999 and continued until last year.
The times, they are a-changing. This weekend marked the third playing of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It marked the arrival of Netflix cameras on property for Masters Week. And it marked the drop of a YouTube video unlike any other: Dude Perfect’s “All Sports Golf Battle at the Masters.”
“We want to tell this story right and support the Williams family and their community in the most positive ways,” says producer Richard A. Cohen. “Shooting in Columbus, Georgia will allow us to accomplish all of that and more.”
Columbus had a bit of Hollywood sparkle on Friday, as the Chattahoochee Valley made an appearance on the big screen. The cast and crew of faith-based film, “The Greatest Inheritance” returned to the Fountain City for their film premiere at the National Infantry Museum.
Georgia is one of the most popular states in the country for television and movie production. This is thanks, in part, to the state’s tax credit. But changes could be on the way as lawmakers could decide to cap tax breaks for film companies, which could have a big impact here in the Fountain City.
The wood and brick structure going up in downtown Macon’s Dunlap Park isn’t made to last. Contractors are building a set for next month’s filming of the musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple,’ which is set for release in December of 2023.
Despite being savaged by critics as one of the worst Marvel movies ever, Morbius still chalked up respectable earnings of $39.1 million to debut at number one.
“The state film tax credit has grown and nurtured the Georgia film and television industry into a thriving economic business for both native Georgians and those who have recently made the state home,” notes Jeremiah Bennett, co-president of GPP.
Been missing seeing your peers in real life? Ready to expand your connections? Want to learn about esports opportunities and game design challenges? Come on out to Skillshot April 12 for all these as well as tours, free food and more.
Rodgers spent 11 years in Los Angeles working alongside major studios including NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, WarnerMedia, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios on iconic brands like Game of Thrones, The Fast Saga, Spider-Man, X-Men, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Sonic the Hedgehog and Frozen.
Georgia’s booming film and television industry brought in a whopping $4 billion to its economy last year. But state officials want more than to rake in record amounts of money. They want the Peach State to be a national star of the lucrative entertainment industry.
Williams is the owner of Cinema South Studios. She will soon be making history as the first Black woman to own a major production complex in the state of Georgia.
A bill pending in the Georgia legislature would put a cap of $900 million on the amount of tax incentives the state gives to filmmakers each year, which has turned Georgia into one of the nation’s top filming destinations.
It took the combined star appeal of Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, their surprise screwball comedy chemistry, and the allure of a treasure hunt in exotic jungle locations to topple The Batman.
Georgia Music Partners, a leader in improving and growing the music industry, announced recently a partnership with Sound Diplomacy to address the current state of Atlanta’s music economy. The first Atlanta: A Music Cities Business Summit addressed the potential for music to be a catalyst in bolstering Atlanta as a global business leader.
SCAD is proud to announce the contributions of more than 150 alumni who have contributed their talents to films nominated for the 94th Academy Awards. This year, SCAD alumni and students contributed to a total of 21 films that received nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Georgia Film Foundation, or GFF, has arrived in the Hollywood of the South, further cementing Atlanta, GA– foundation headquarters – and the surrounding state, as the entertainment capital of the Southeast.
The Savannah Regional Film Commission reported that in 2021 the entertainment production industry had a direct economic impact of nearly $114 million. Eighty eight professional productions were shot in the Savannah region in 2021.
Film Augusta has long seen the value in GFA having a presence and investment in Augusta. Through strategic planning with Augusta Tech’s President Dr. Jermaine Whirl, this partnership has become a reality. In June, FILM Augusta led a planning meeting with GFA, Augusta Tech, and IndieGrip to imagine a future partnership.
We had two great finalists for Best in Georgia 2022, with Tread Lightly barely squeaking out a win over Spirit. The winners receive professional services from Vicarious PR, Business Law Partners, Stites & Harbison, and IndieGameBusiness.
As a result of the success of Georgia’s film industry and specifically the progress in Columbus, GA, the Columbus Film Commission will host it’s next quarterly meeting on April 13th. These events connect entertainment professionals, artists and local businesses.
When Meredith Riley Stewart had the opportunity to produce the independent film “The Inheritance”, she was convinced that Columbus would make the perfect setting. As a Phenix City native, she knew the picturesque city on the banks of the Chattahoochee very well.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has published updated content security best practices for remote workers in the film and television industry in Version 4.10 of the MPA Common Guidelines. The latest update covers 37 new best practices and guidelines, which include management, physical, and digital controls for post-production remote workers.
VFX house Crafty Apes recently purchased Molecule VFX, an established visual effects company based in NYC and Los Angeles. The deal more than doubles the VFX house’s headcount and adds to its roster of talent, including creative VFX supervision and production management.
The Prysm Stage at Trilith Studios is being built from the ground up for virtual production, led by world-class talent including entertainment industry veteran and Global President of NEP Virtual Studios, Cliff Plumer, virtual production pioneers Lux Machina Consulting (LuxMC), Trilith Studios President and CEO Frank Patterson, and Trilith Studios Director of Creative Technologies, Barry Williams.
The South Georgia Film Festival is back for its sixth year at Valdosta State University. The annual event has become a hub for filming in Southwest Georgia and includes major films, religious movies, and documentaries.
Channing Tatum took a tour of Fort Benning on Friday, stopping by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit to watch a shotgun demonstration and fire off a few rounds himself.
Nearly seven years after first setting foot on the Columbus State University campus, Dr. Chris Markwood has announced his plans to retire from public higher education and step down from his role as president in June 2022.
Robert Pattinson’s new career chapter as the Caped Crusader is off to a roaring start as The Batman opened domestically with $128.5 million, scoring as the pandemic period’s second-biggest bow.
OPTIK Studios is defining the future of visual experiences with a brand-new versatile, production-ready extended reality (xR) facility. Located in Norcross, Georgia, the LED virtual production studio is bringing infinite possibilities to businesses and production companies in and around Georgia.
This beautiful, walkable city is home to the largest historic district in the United States, with 22 historic squares, quaint brick streets, and well-preserved architectural treasures, which give this popular film shoot destination much of the charm that lures major productions year after year.
2021 was a strong year for film in Augusta and the surrounding area. Beginning with “Getaway Driver” for the Discovery Channel, followed by action thriller “Agent Game,” then “Applewood” and finishing with “The Hill” in December many local jobs were supported and film spending contributed to the local economy.
Ransomware continues to dominate as one of the fastest-growing threats on security lists, with frequency doubling in 2021. The landscape has changed quickly and drastically. Prior to 2018 if an organization did not manage personally identifiable information, there was really no need for them to have sophisticated security programs in place.
This year, the festival was presented as a virtual experience from SCAD Atlanta with screenings, Q&A’s, panels, and more. For 10 years, SCAD TVfest has honored and hosted the brightest stars and most groundbreaking shows in this golden era of television.
The Reel People Care Gala is taking place Friday, March 4, 2022, at Trilith Studios (Home of the MARVEL productions and more). The event will highlight 21 local charities cementing Trilith’s commitment to the community.
The Best in Georgia competition is returning for 2022! Each Global Game Jam location in the state nominated one team to receive professional mentoring and to compete for the BiG title. Each team got assigned game industry mentors to help them further develop their game and make plans to get it into distribution.
In Concert Productions (ICP), an Atlanta-based company, announced it is opening The ICP Production Centre, a 30,000 square-foot, one-stop-shop for all entertainment industry production needs. Featuring a group of global behind-the-scenes industry giants in set design, staging, dry-hire broadcast, and A/V rentals, ICP, All Access, ATOMIC and SoCal Rentals will come together under one roof and serve as a hub for the industry, giving way for large scale production and entertainment events in the region.
Studios and production companies often attempt to avoid significant liabilities (tax and otherwise) by classifying certain workers as independent contractors instead of employees. Indeed, much of the entertainment industry has been structured around using “gig” independent contractors rather than forming a traditional employer-employee relationship.
FilmHedge, a Georgia based fin-tech company offering financial products for Film and TV producers, says they have secured a commitment to provide up to $50 million in debt financing from Fallbrook Film Finance to be used to cash flow Georgia-lensed tax credits for film and television productions.
Bennett Thrasher, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing certified public accounting and consulting firms, announces continued year-over-year growth and strategic investments in key practice groups and industry sectors, including wealth management and outsourced accounting.
ATL Comic Convention and Fandemic Tour, two of the country’s premier comic conventions, announced today a partnership that will combine resources and expertise to provide geek and pop culture fans with the ultimate fan experiences.
The amount of people making money playing esports like Fortnight, League of Legends, Rocket League, Smite, Halo, CS:GO or content creating via Twitch, YouTube, Azubu, etc. continues to grow at an extraordinary pace. According to a recent article on dotesports.com, the payout for the top 50 streamers from August 2019 to October 2021 was around $1 million a year to $10 million a year.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) proudly announces the lineup for the 2022 SCAD TVfest. Celebrating its milestone tenth year, the university’s annual signature event celebrating all things television and streaming will be a virtual experience taking place Feb. 17-19, 2022.
MEPTIK, a virtual production company based in Atlanta, Georgia opened their extended reality (xR) studio OPTIK Studios in Atlanta in partnership with Creative Technology.
Despite the studios’ counterprogramming with new films by Jennifer Lopez and Gal Gadot, the Super Bowl weekend – traditionally a slow period for filmgoing – stayed true to form.
Now, Native American tribes are working to expand their role in film and TV production to help revitalize and diversify their lands’ economies, as well as improve representation of Indigenous people onscreen.
The figure is 40% higher than the state’s previous record, $860 million, which was set in 2019, as the generous credit continues to fuel exponential growth of the industry. It also represents a significant rebound from 2020, when credits dropped to $649 million due to the pandemic.
The gamers got to compete in a cosplay contest, drone racing, robotics demos and tons of tournaments to enter for all of your favorite eSports games, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Guilty Gear Strive, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and more. With big cash pot bonuses to boot.
As it gears up for the biggest sporting event of the year, All Access is officially setting up shop in the Hollywood of the South. With its well-established Los Angeles client base that continues to relocate projects to Georgia, the global company is following suit by expanding its presence with an Atlanta location to better serve its television, film and entertainment clients.
Intellectual property (IP), on the other hand, can be harder to parse out. The World Intellectual Property Organization defines IP as “creations of the mind,” including inventions, artistic and literary works, and designs. IP may also include images, names and symbols used in media or commerce.
Women in Music Atlanta (WIM Atlanta) Chapter Chair Hadley Poole has stepped down and appointed musician, businesswoman and health professional Deu Almeida as her successor, effective January 2022. Poole, who founded and launched the Atlanta Chapter in 2017, has served as its Chair since that time.
Georgia is now competing with Canada and the United Kingdom in the film and television industry, something that would have…
The SXSW Gaming Awards will be produced by Georgia-based Peach Maria Productions, executive produced by Laurie Lockliear (upcoming esports reality series GameMaster), and offered digitally as part of SXSW Online on March 12, 2022 at 7 p.m. CT, during the overall March 11-20, 2022 festivities.
Representative Devan Seabaugh was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in a special election in July 2021. He represents House District 34, which includes areas within the cities of Marietta and Kennesaw, as well as areas in unincorporated west Cobb County. House District 34 is home to Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Cobb County International Airport.
State Representative Matt Dollar (R-Marietta) announced that he will be resigning his seat in the Georgia House of Representatives effective today.
Jackass Forever, which was made for $10 million, easily beat Roland Emmerich’s $140 million action/adventure/sci-fi, Moonfall, and the $200 million-budgeted Spider-Man: No Way Home to become the weekend’s domestic champ.
‘Shoot Film, Not Guns’ is asking for funding to offer the program in Columbus. The organization aims to combat youth violence and bullying.
After releasing a list of nominees, the Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) is pleased to announce the winners for the 2021 GAFCA Awards.
“We are putting on a party for the community,” Jason Brown, Festival Director said. “Showcasing films from across the country and the world, we want to introduce Valdosta to great films, some great filmmakers to Valdosta, and let everyone have a good time.”
A new world is being uncovered by pioneers. Buoyed and rekt by waves of innovation, hype, imitation, disillusionment; they must navigate the rocks, whirlpools, and sirens luring them in. Many will be crushed or suffer irreparable damage from these well known dangers.
The one-week, real-world experience immerses kids, ages 11-17, to the techniques, language, and processes of filmmaking and acting, as well as providing an opportunity for teamwork and collaboration as they make a short film during the week with other campers. Registration is now open at CampFlix.com.
Now entering its 10th year, SCAD TVfest, Georgia’s only festival dedicated to television, is scheduled to return as an all-virtual experience February 17 through Saturday, February 19, 2022.
Atlanta-based podcaster, comedy writer, and Whitney Houston superfan George Koulouris has been bothered by inconsistencies and bizarre accounts since Houston’s death on February 11, 2012.
The expansion at Three Ring will include eight new stages, enhancing the campus to a total of 14 purpose-built sound stages and providing a total of 276,000 square feet of stage space, 100,000 square feet of office space, and an additional 72,800 square feet of flexible space, upon its completion in 2023.