Job Creation Up In First Two Months of Fiscal Year

August data shows job creation from new Georgia projects has already reached one-third of the total jobs reported for fiscal year 2020, and investments are up 11% over July. Despite COVID-19, job creation is 1.5 times higher than the same two months last year.

Georgia-lensed Productions Shine at 2020 Emmy Awards

This year, the 2020 Emmy Awards were a virtual affair, but the Georgia-lensed productions taking home the gold trophy are just a small part of very real success stories for Georgia small businesses and our economy over the last decade plus.

New Music Released from Tammy Hurt

I have some great news to share! I am thrilled to report that I’ve been back behind the drum kit and am releasing new music. The project is called, Sonic Rebel.

‘Fangoria’ Eyes Relaunch as Multimedia Studio Following Purchase

The brand and an archive of material stretching back to the magazine’s 1979 debut have been purchased by Wanderwall Entertainment CEO Tara Ansley (Beast Beast, Tragedy Girls) and entrepreneur Abhi Goel in a deal that will maintain the current quarterly release schedule of Fangoria’s print magazine, as well as editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr. and managing editor Meredith Borders.

Savannah Regional Film Commission Update

We have two independent productions currently filming, as well as several other companies exploring options for fall and winter.  Currently the key to a successful film shoot is the implementation of safety plans and Covid protocols.

MPA Statement on the Global Effort to End SPARKS Piracy Operations

“The MPA applauds the work of our global law enforcement partners for putting an end to the piracy operations conducted by SPARKS. As the MPA continues to protect the entertainment industry and the creative works it produces, it is gratifying to see such a strong coordinated effort to dismantle one of the world’s largest piracy enterprises.”

Georgia HB 1037 Instills Integrity for ‘Hollywood of the South’

Indeed, the new legislation provides for stricter rules and audit requirements, while increasing the time it takes for productions to monetize the tax credit benefits. These measures, and a few more discussed below, are intended to address critics and inconsistencies with the current tax credit quantification process in a manner that results in a win-win for all involved.

Etowah Film Festival Going Virtual in September

During September 10-13, the festival will screen a mix of local, national, and international short and feature films streamed via RoleCallWatch. Along with films, the festival will include social media filmmaker interviews, panels and behind-the-scenes content.

A Tough Decision & Message To Our Fans, Atlanta Movie Tours to close

Atlanta Movie Tours opened in 2012 with the dream of bringing #GeorgiaFilm to life for fans and for 8 years, we have done our best to bring you all of the best in Georgia entertainment. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing staff and partners and our sincerest appreciation goes out to each and every one of you.

GGDA-SIEGE Meeting 7 pm Aug. 25

2020 has been a crazy year for everyone, including the GGDA. From our COVID guidelines to our Unreal Engine grant to our new insurance opportunity to members, we have been adding more ways to help everyone in the Association.

More about Georgia’s Mandate to Audit Film and TV Tax Credits

Only 12% of projects were audited in 2016, but even those audits did not uncover about $4 million in ineligible expenditures in eight projects, according to the DOAA. Under the new law, the Department of Revenue will be required to adopt new audit standards and to maintain a list of independent auditors eligible to complete the work.

The Savannah-Safe Jazz Festival Lineup Announced

2020 marks the 39th year of Savannah’s most diverse and beloved community event and this year is branded as The Savannah-Safe Jazz Festival 2020  in keeping with the Savannah-Safe Pledge and safety standards for events. 

Georgia Enacts Significant Procedural Changes to the Film Tax Credit

The new law appears to be in response to an audit report issued by the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) earlier this year that called into question the manner in which both the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Department of Economic Development (DEcD) have administered the film tax credit.

HBCU esports league to debut next week

The $1.5 billion esports industry, which is largely populated by white men, has few Black faces. That has begun to change over the past month with the formation of a historically Black college and university (HBCU) league on the horizon.

OP-ED: How To Ensure Music’s Survival In The COVID Era

While the music industry continues to face unprecedented challenges from the closure of music venues and the reduction in music usage in shops, restaurants and other businesses, there’s a lot to be hopeful about. Music instrument sales have increased.

Sapelo Insurance: Things to consider as productions begin again

So what are some of the changes we are seeing in the COVID-19 environment? For certain, it has taken more time to get policies approved with additional questions being asked. We are advising all clients to start the process earlier than before to ensure the production is not delayed due to a delay in the policy issuance.

IATSE comments on the introduction of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act

When Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in late-March – providing temporary economic relief for entertainment workers – it was already clear that subsequent COVID-19 legislation would be required in short order to address substantial issues that working people continue to face as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Statement from MPA on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis

In the film, television, and streaming industry especially, we understand the importance of how words and stories can challenge our view of society, and how they can make an everlasting impact on our history. Few Americans have changed the course of history like Congressman John Lewis did through his words and actions.

740+ Businesses Make Georgia Safety Promise

Launched a little over a week ago, the Georgia Safety Promise is a public-private partnership and safety campaign to remind Georgia businesses and the public of the importance of following COVID-19 safety guidelines by agreeing to simple – yet critical – measures that help protect Georgians from COVID-19, minimize spread of the virus, and keep Georgia open for business.

David Glanzer on Comic-Con and Going Virtual

For the past 50 years, Comic-Con has grown into the Mecca for all things Comics. Collectors, fans, and self-proclaimed geeks, as well as comic-book authors, exhibitors, and TV & movie stars, have all flocked to downtown San Diego to celebrate the 4-day event.

Socially Distant Shows at Red Clay

Our shows will have limited seating (roughly 75 available out of 260) and will be streamed online on YouTube (with a Tip Jar for the performers). The shows will be GENERAL ADMISSION. We will seat people in PODS (probably in groups of 2,4,6,8,10 and 12). 

Editorial: ‘Council of Dads’ cancellation a big loss for Savannah

Some people were naturally upset — a number of locals worked behind the scenes, performed background work for various episodes and had a steady flow of income for the multiple months the series made Savannah its home base. Others veered more negative, lamenting their opinion of the poor quality of the show as reason enough to ignore its departure from the NBC lineup.

Georgia Council for the Arts awards 148 grants to arts organizations

Across the state, 148 organizations were collectively awarded more than $1 million in funding for operating support (Partner Grant), arts projects (Project Grant), or an Arts Education Program Grant. Additional grants in the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities program areas will be awarded in the fall of 2020. 

Doing the Work: Kirsten Schaffer, Women in Film

The Executive Director of Los Angeles-based Women in Film – Kirsten Schaffer – was an LGBTQ activist from her early youth. Programming film festivals was a way to channel her energies since she quickly realized that “stories have the power to change hearts and minds, and that cultural change precedes political change”.

Georgia Produced Reality Show “Gamemaster” Partners With Makerforce

The upcoming esports reality show, GAMEMASTER has announced a partnership with  MakerForce, a grassroots emergency response organization, to expand its efforts in the fight against coronavirus. The partnership will allow both organizations to expand their reach and provide PPE supplies to an even larger network of medical providers in need.

Savannah’s film industry gaining momentum after COVID shutdown

“We’re getting a lot of inquires. In the last month it’s really picked up a lot, and we have had one actual in-person scout come in last week looking to shoot probably toward the end of the summer,” said Beth Nelson, executive director of the Savannah Regional Film Commission. “It was really fun to have somebody here on the ground, looking at our locations.”

DreamHack launches new tournament series featuring Fortnite

DreamHack, the premier gaming lifestyle festival, announces the launch of a new tournament series featuring Fortnite.  The series — entitled DreamHack Open Featuring Fortnite — will kick off in July and consists of monthly online tournaments for the EU, NA East, and NA West Fortnite servers through all of 2020, and will be broadcast live on Twitch. 

Georgia Film, TV, Streaming Production Industry Is Open for Business

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the major motion picture, television, and streaming companies plan to bring back and hire an estimated 40,000 production workers, who will be employed on an expected seventy-five production projects that will invest over $2 billion into the Georgia economy during the next eighteen months.

Evans High School creates model for CSRA Esports

Kids have had a lot more time on their hands lately, which probably means a number of them have turned to video games to help pass some of it. Their popularity is growing even more, and now, you may start seeing more video games in schools.

How COVID-19 is transforming the film industry

After more than 40 years as an actor, Sheri Mann Stewart had finally taken the plunge to launch her own production company. A week after she wrapped shooting her first film for Mann Woman Productions, Atlanta went on pandemic lockdown.

L.A. County Allows TV, Film Production to Resume

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Department of Public Health made the announcement on Wednesday, with L.A. Department of Public Health director Dr. Barbara Ferrer adding that the County Department of Public Health would also release safety guidelines on Thursday for film productions. Gyms, movie theaters, campgrounds, hotels and museums will also receive guidelines and be allowed to open. 

Georgia Again Recognized for Excellence in Attracting Jobs and Investment

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has received its 12th Shovel Award – its 11th consecutive such award – recognizing the state’s excellence in attracting investment and creating jobs. Georgia’s Silver Shovel Award is presented by Area Development, the leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation.

Accel Entertainment Announces Expansion into Georgia

Accel Entertainment, Inc., a leading distributed gaming operator, announced that it has agreed to acquire Tom’s Amusement Company, Inc., a Southeastern US amusement operator and Master Licensee in the state of Georgia led by Emily Dunn.

Music Community Unites to Support Vital Police Reforms

A united music community including top artists, managers, major and independent record companies, songwriters and publishers, and affiliated organizations publicly released a letter supporting the long running campaign to repeal section 50-A of New York’s Civil Rights Law.

Video Games Don’t Have To Be Educational To Spark Learning

When I was in high school, the best way I could describe myself was as a parent’s worst nightmare: I didn’t care about my education, didn’t do homework, and was known to sleep in class. My SAT score was so bad that I still don’t know how I did! My very frustrated mom threw that letter in the trash.

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