Georgia welcomed 111.7 million international and domestic visitors in 2018, who collectively spent $36.9 billion in communities throughout the state and directly supported 478,000 jobs.
Gruters has sponsored a bill (SB 530) that would allow studios to get a rebate on some of the expenses they incur while filming in Florida. Productions would have to hire a Florida-based crew and spend 70 percent of their production time in the state to be eligible.
Much of the new “Black Widow” movie from Marvel Studios was shot in Europe, in places like Hungary, Norway, and the United Kingdom, but as we broke in September, part of the film also shot in Macon.
“Georgia Tech’s study puts to rest any doubts about the tremendous economic impact that film industry has delivered for the state,” said Kelsey Moore, executive director of the coalition.
The Design Network (TDN), the fastest growing streaming network for all things home, has announced the premiere of Celebrity House Sitting, a new series from Crazy Legs Productions.
Overall, on-location TV Drama production – a mainstay of the LA film economy – finished the entire year 2.7 percent below 2018 levels (at 4,716 SD), but still 3.6 percent ahead of its five-year category average.
Arts organizers are asking for scripts for narrative short films of any genre. The film shouldn’t be longer than 15 minutes and the script should be 10 pages or less.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the event will take place Feb. 10 through 27 at seven metro Atlanta venues. It will kick off with the Opening Night, world-premiere screening of “Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance,” a film about partnerships between blacks and Jews, at the Cobb Energy Centre.
The film, “Rekindling,” will be RKDS’ seventh film produced in South Georgia including “Spook Bridge,” which had its world premiere for three nights at Mathis Auditorium in 2017, a theatrical run in 2018 and is now available nationwide on DVD.
All of Georgia’s Entertainment Elite came out to the grand opening of Aztec Warrior Studios and enjoyed a high-energy, high-level of networking and celebration of the newest Film & TV Production Studio in the Atlanta market.
Associated Press reports “Bad Boys for Life” exceeded expectations coming away with a dominating No. 1 showing at the box office. The Sony Pictures film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence brought in $59 million in the U.S. and Canada entering the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
The United States House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The following is a statement from Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin.
Mark Wofford is General Manager of PC&E, an employee owned rental company located in Atlanta. The company serves clients all over the state and works to stay on the cutting edge of technology for their production clients doing TV and movies in the state.
Meghan Bernstein is the Branch Manager of Norcostco, the leading supply house for makeup in the Southeast. She talks about the company and their growth in Georgia. The firm has expanded its product line by 30% and continues to offer more services.
The Georgia film tax credit has worked as intended and built an industry that spends nearly $3 billion per year in the state and employs tens of thousands of Georgians in high-paying jobs, the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition said today in response to the state of Georgia’s audit.
“Parasite” was the big winner, taking home four awards including Best Picture, Best Director for Bong Joon-ho, Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film. “1917” recieved three awards—Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Original Score.
Wondering what’s being filmed in Georgia right now? Whether you want to try to score a role as an extra or just want to see if you can spot any familiar locations in upcoming movies and TV shows coming out this year, these are the films you should be on the lookout for.
State Sen. Joe Gruters’ modest film production proposal comes just years after state lawmakers killed off a successful movie production incentive program. And that state lawmakers have sought to doom funding for the state’s tourism and corporate relocation efforts.
Editor’s note: We get many newsletters and for executives in media might we suggest The Term Sheet written daily by Polina Marinova. See her commentary today about the mega fundraising happening with Quibi.
Peter Stathopoulos is a Partner and leads Bennett Thrasher’s State and Local Tax practice. He has been heavily involved with film and entertainment industry. He talks about Georgia’s lead when it comes to films deciding to shoot here and views from other states.
The city boasts an impressive film resume of its own. “The Accountant,” “American Made,” “Hidden Figures,” “Goosebumps,” and “The 5th Wave” were all filmed there.
Hollywood had practically ignored central Georgia’s largest city for two years prior to 2019. But its onscreen fortunes took a big upturn in the past 12 months.
“My music is my resistance,” says VA. “Battle Cry is my plea for us to step up to the plate and do what is right for this country, to make America a better place.”
The Avid Media Composer UserCertification course will equip students with a unique skill set and knowledge of industry standard digital imaging, editorial process and story forging on both motion picture and episodic nonlinear productions.
The Baltimore Film Office was created in 1979, and in the ensuing years, the city has been the backdrop for many cinematic classics—Barry Levinson’s Diner, the Al Pacino-starring …And Justice For All, and innumerable John Waters movies, just to name a few.
A new film and television production studio will open in Decatur this month, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Aztec Warriors Studios is located near I-285 and south of Covington Highway.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) welcomed the interest by the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) in improving administration of the state’s film tax credit program.
Alan Clark is the Chair of Taylor English’s Entertainment Sports & Media Group. The firm serves as an example of professional firms and companies that benefit directly from the film tax incentives in Georgia. Alan talks about doing business in the state and how they work with clients to reduce litigation risks while serving as a translator of sorts for creatives and entertainment companies.
To capture the Southern Gothic feel that Danuser was aiming for, “Mayflower” was filmed in his hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia. “It’s an incredible place to build stories. There’s a lot of darkness, but at the same time a lot of positive people. The south is a beautiful place to shoot. We didn’t need a lot of art direction, it’s just there.”
The Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) has announced their slate of nominees for the 2019 GAFCA Awards. Founded in 2011, this year marks the 9th annual awards program for the critics group. GAFCA is made up of 38 film critics from around the state, representing print, television, radio and online media.
A SCADFILM event is taking place in Atlanta on January 8th. Award-winng filmmaker, Alexandre Philippe will be in town with us exploring the history of horror, the importance of the genre, and why monsters make excellent metaphors.
With its move to Hall B of the Georgia World Congress Center, MomoCon nearly doubles its available space from 2019. That means more gaming, panels, events, activities, and meeting room seating.
Since the early days of cinema, action-adventure movies have transported and invigorated audiences around the globe. While the movies have evolved, boasting enormous budgets and dazzling technical feats, the staying power of any great flick comes down to the story.
“Legislators passed the film tax credit to start with, so if there are some that want to review it or have reservations about it or want to add to it, this certainly is their prerogative and we’ll be glad to work with them.”
Eatonton Georgia showcased their economic, workforce and political structure to producers, studio executives and other high level participants last Thursday evening at Barrel 118. Local and state officials joined leading local businesses to welcome gaming, music and entertainment executives to the city.
Over the past few years, Florida lost out on more than 70 major films and TV projects to other states costing $1.3 billion in lost economic activity and 110,000 potential jobs.
Areu wanted to be a cop. But as he likes to say, God had another plan. After taking on a job as a security guard at Warner Bros., he got the film bug.
Buzz Law is the President and CEO of Creative Financial Group, one of the leading wealth management and financial planning firms serving the entertainment industry. Year-end tax planning is very important for those in the film, music and gaming industry. Buzz talks about qualified charitable deductions from your required minimum distributions.
In a secluded valley in the foothills of Appalachia, American actor/entertainer Randall Franks hikes along a rocky ridge looking down on a pristine green field barely touched by the passage of modern time.
Gary Wheat, President and CEO of Visit Macon, talks with our friends at Middle Georgia CEO about Visit Macon taking over the Film Commission and the economic impact film has on the community.
This isn’t the first brush with cable movie fame for Dahlonega General Store owner Jay Stone. His business was heavily featured in The Hallmark Channel’s Christmas in Homestead which aired in 2016.
Interest in the location has grown due to its uniqueness compared to the rest of the state, its proximity to Atlanta and its architecture, said Aaron Buzza, camera ready liaison for the Macon Film Commission.
A packed theater of business owners and entertainment professionals attended the first Focus Film Columbus GA event last week at the River Center for the Performing Arts. This and future quarterly events will connect entertainment professionals, artists and local businesses.
A major Hollywood film studio has been beefing up its Atlanta presence this year. Warner Bros. has leased more than 500K SF for studio space in two warehouse buildings and is in talks to take on a third, all clustered in the Atlanta Industrial Parkway warehouse district, some 10 miles west of Midtown Atlanta
Lee Thomas with the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office says there are “Two projects right now in Thomasville Georgia a Queen Latifah, Dennis Quaid movie. I mean it’s an exciting time with all the film making in South Georgia.”
Magic: The Gathering Arena is a free-to-play digital version of the immensely popular card game Magic: The Gathering, and is developed and published by Wizards of the Coast.
People in surprising professions were in attendance, like massage therapists, makeup artists, doctors, hair stylists, and janitors. All of these workers are involved when a production comes to town, and it is critical to have their input in film meetings like this.
“Before attending Georgia State University, I worked for a film, video and a marketing company, Atlanta Idea Studio. While there, I gained experience in the media and content creation field. I was a part of the production for television and radio campaigns, video and photo marketing campaigns and even served as a brand ambassador for an organic produce company.”
Netflix announced production for “Red Notice” back in July featuring an star-studded cast. Dwayne Johnson (Skyscraper, Jumanji: The Next Level), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) will star in the action-thriller.
Georgia’s burgeoning film and television industry stands ready to benefit from an expanded workforce, thanks to an innovative new partnership between the University of Georgia, the Georgia Film Academy and Pinewood Forest, the new community in Fayetteville, Georgia, located adjacent to Pinewood Atlanta Studios.
A weak weekend overall positioned two studios on the forefront. On the international front, Sony harvested good results from its release strategy for Jumanji: The Next Level, which hit 18 overseas markets ahead of its domestic debut and amassed $54.8 million.
Savannah is a city built for film. With our sun-dappled squares, uniquely historic buildings, and verdant skyline, I like to say the city itself looks like a film set. It also means the infrastructure that brings film and television production from around the world to film here.
No, the local high school graduate isn’t playing the iconic secret agent, but Magnussen is cast in the next installment of the James Bond franchise alongside stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ralph Fiennes.
The television and film industry has had a $2.4 million economic impact on Rome and Floyd County over the last five years, but accounts for less than half of one percent of the economic impact which flows through the local tourism office.
John Stankey WarnerMedia CEO and AT&T president and chief operating officer, was on hand in Atlanta on Friday for the campus dedication at the complex that was once the corporate headquarters of CNN and other Turner channels.
From the desk where I write this, in my house in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of downtown Atlanta, I could toss a hunk of Georgia red clay and hit the bungalow where the actor Jason Momoa was rumored to have lived while shooting “The Red Road,” a discontinued TV series set in the fictional town of Walpole, New Jersey.
While the anniversary was celebrated at DreamHack Winter 2019, the celebration will continue into 2020 to honor the many partners and cities that have been a part of DreamHack’s history.
Jim Stone is the CEO of Tytan Pictures. In this video, he talks about the beautiful Eatonton and Lake Country area that serves as the back drop of the Lake Country Entertainment 100 event. The event will be held on December 12th at a marvelous venue – Barrel 118.
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon visited Washington, D.C., during the week of Nov. 11 in a successful effort to draw policymakers’ attention to the issues faced by working creative professionals and to discuss the continued economic benefits of the film and television industry across the United States.
Fall has been a busy season in Savannah, with local events such as the much anticipated annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival, the premier of several prestigious projects filmed in the Savannah region, and the launch of production of a major network series.
Is Putnam County and the Lake Country a viable place to film? Is the economic, workforce and political structure in…
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced that it has named K. Kim Atterbury as Senior Vice President of Media Relations, effective immediately.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities Grant and the new Cultural Facilities Grant. Seventy-nine entities in 58 counties received more than $570,000 in funding.
Frozen 2 stayed hot over the Thanksgiving weekend taking first place in the global charts with $249 million worldwide. It dropped just 35% in North America, staying in the top spot with $82.5 million and reached a domestic cumulative gross of $287.5 million.
Capricorn’s historic Studio A is reopening this week, after years of work by Mercer University and other supporters to restore and equip it with state-of-the-art technology.
Prosecutors say Bailey provided pyrotechnic effects for the movie “The Poison Rose” despite a prior felony conviction that kept him from having an explosives license.
The Belize Film Commission, along with the Global Commerce, Digital Entertainment and Media Divisions for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Saba Industries is pleased to report that they announced the soft launch of the Belize International Market: Film – TV – New Media – Animation at the recent Belize International Film Festival.
Mountainfilm on Tour – Savannah is scheduled for January 22-25, 2020, and will screen over thirty films throughout the four-day festival. The mission of Mountainfilm on Tour – Savannah is to educate and inspire local audiences to create a better world through the power of film. Mountainfilm on Tour – Savannah is a partner of Telluride-based, Mountainfilm.
Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) are pleased to announce their Lights, Camera, Budget! resource was awarded a Gold Award of Excellence by the National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE).
The communities of Madison, Greensboro, Eatonton, and Milledgeville make up The Lake Country. “Because of our prime location, we have seen tremendous growth in film, music and gaming in the region,” says Emily Holt with the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to fighting voter suppression tactics and positioning herself as a running mate on the ticket with the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, Abrams has assumed a new role as executive producer for a new television show in development at CBS.
The MGM film centers on young boy who seeks out whether a superhero, who vanished 20 years earlier following a tragic event, is still alive, according to Deadline.com.
With Thanksgiving holidays in the rearview, production crews are hard at work on more than 40+ TV shows and movies throughout Georgia.
Tonya Powell, Monica Johnson, Natalie Howard, and Stacey Ross, who are all Bainbridge High School graduates, have the opportunity to be crewmembers on this production. There responsibilities include educating and ensuring the safety of the minors who are apart of this production.
Emmy Award-nominee Weiss has co-written some of Hollywood’s most successful, endearing family films, from Academy Award-nominated features Shrek 2 and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius to the Rugrats franchise. To date, Weiss’ total box office cume for his combined work exceeds $2.3 billion worldwide.
But far and away, the big winner in Wednesday’s debate of Democratic presidential debates in Atlanta was Tyler Perry and Georgia’s surging TV and film industry.
By requiring broadcasters to get permission from music creators to use their music in the same way broadcasters are entitled to give permission for the use of their signal – the AM/FM Act addresses inequities in law that should be fixed.
The GGDA, IGDA-Atlanta, and the Game Dev Meetup Group combined holiday party has become a great tradition and a must-do addition to your December.
People living in Tifton have noticed the influx of traffic that has been coming through the city now that Thomasville Pictures has begun filming in the Friendly City.
The soundstage that hosted the debate is one of more than 75 in the state, spread out over 12 studio providers. Before the state’s innovative film tax credit took effect in 2007, Georgia had only one studio.
The event featured a series of trade booths and live demonstrations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity, talent and innovation at the core of the American film and television industry, which supports 2.6 million jobs in all 50 states.
DreamHack Atlanta 2019 is being held at the Georgia World Congress Center this weekend. More than 25,000 gamers are expected.
A great video from Film Savannah…
Always subject to change and often set before filming begins, here is the latest info on release dates for projects that filmed in Georgia.
Alan Clarke, Mitzi Hill and Bruce Siegal, members of the Entertainment, Sports and Media team at Taylor English, have begun a new venture with an accounting firm and a company specializing in financial planning for professional athletes and artists to give a “one-stop shop” to celebrity clients for business, financial and legal advice.
Savannah has plenty in the way of major chain hotels and some charming B and B options, but what’s been missing up until now is a place that captures the spirit of the city but also offers a certain level of luxury and sophistication. Cue the new Perry Lane Hotel.
With the boom in the state’s entertainment industry over the last decade, his practice has broadened from representing film and TV production companies to the video game and emerging esports industry in Georgia.
Jeffrey Stepakoff from the Georgia Film Academy to speak, Update on the Columbus Film Fund, recent activity and upcoming opportunities in the region.
Atlanta’s competitive gaming scene has grown significantly with the city already playing host to long-running esports events. Because of the city’s thriving game development and tech industries, Atlanta is becoming a major destination for game creators and players alike.
Sarah Aliffi-Baez, Senior Catering Sales Executive at Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resorts and Spa, discusses all the work they do with the growing entertainment industry in Savannah.
A new report released by the Georgia Game Developers Association shows how it impacts the economy for the state. Dr. Jay O’Toole, an Assistant Professor at Elon University’s School of Business in the department of Management and Entrepreneurship, wrote the report. Georgia’s game development studios and workers participated in the survey.
This week, Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Georgia’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, matching the lowest percentage since 1976. Additionally, Georgia set a record number for total jobs in the state at 4.64 million. Since 2010, Georgia has added 805,000 jobs.
From his vacation home in Barcelona, Cohen told the AJT, “We chose Georgia because of the tax credit {the highest in the U.S.] but Georgia was missing the last part in the process. In the past, the filming was done here, but then left for LA to finish the job.”
On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, Governor Brian P. Kemp conducted swearing-in ceremonies for eighteen (18) appointees to serve on the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission.
The Veterans Day box office roundup in the US saw Roland Emmerich’s Midway lose its opening battle with a meager $17.5 million take in its domestic launch. Lionsgate has distribution rights and reportedly spent $40 million promoting the film but didn’t have a stake in its $100 million budget.
Get a comprehensive overview of the esports ecosystem at the Esports Summit. General attendee tickets include a tour of Skillshot, access to the B2B Mixer, an all-access badge to Esports Summit panels and presentations, and an escorted tour of Hi-Rez Expo at DreamHack Atlanta.
On Saturday, join SCAD for the Writing for Fighting screenwriting workshop as you practice polishing the perfect physical action scene. Then learn how to take the scene from page to screen at the fight choreography demonstration featuring performers from Black Panther, Jurassic Park, and The Avengers.
Creative Financial Group works with numerous firms and individuals associated with the entertainment industry. President & CEO Buzz Law talks about their strategy when working with clients on comprehensive financial planning.
Executive Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta Camille Love addressed the audience with a moving speech about her love for the cultural scene in the city.
It was another whirlwind week for Rome International Film Festival Executive Director Seth Ingram as the 16th annual event came to a close Sunday with hopes of an even brighter future for Rome’s film tourism industry.