James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 78
All the talk today about declining
theater attendance, overreliance on
big budget films, competition from
new forms of entertainment and financially challenged studios is not new.
In fact, such talk perfectly describes
the state of our industry in 1963, when
studios nearly went bankrupt on the
heels of big budget failures like Cleopatra and because of the impact of a
new technology called television. But
this downturn just four years later
gave rise to the “New Hollywood Era,”
when young filmmakers like Francis
Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and
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Mike Nichols redefined cinema. What
seemed like an industry in crisis became the foundation for some of the
greatest films ever made.
Right now, fresh ideas are brewing, and new technologies and talent
are emerging to shape the future
of storytelling. Georgia is uniquely
positioned to lead the way. We have
everything required to seize this
moment: world-class universities and
technical colleges, cutting-edge production facilities, a skilled workforce,
creative talent and a best-in-class tax
credit program refined over years to
support growth. Combined with our
state’s pro-business environment and
reputation as the best state for business, we are primed to take advantage of the coming opportunities.
At Trilith, our mission is to set
the stage and enrich the lives of the
story makers who inspire the world.
We’re not just providing state-of-theart facilities; we’re investing in the
future— supporting emerging creators,
fostering innovation in technology, and
laying the groundwork for the next
generation of talent. We know that this
is the time to experiment, to innovate
and collaborate and to prepare for the
growth that lies ahead.
So yes, I’m excited about our
future. Georgia’s next big opportunity
is in the making, a giant peach ripe
for the taking. Let’s together set the
stage for a new era of growth and
inspiration.
Frank Paterson is the CEO and president of
Georgia-based Trilith Studios.
