James March-April 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 45
AARON BUZZA AND RANDY DAVIDSON (R)
AT GEORGIA ENTERTAINMENT’S UNSCRIPTED ROADSHOW EVENT
creased local employment and economic growth. The state’s dedication
to fostering the film and television
industry has been instrumental in creating these job prospects. Educational
institutions such as the Georgia Film
Academy play a crucial role in prepar
ing residents for careers in this burgeoning sector. They offer professional
training and supporting internships to
build a sustainable industry statewide.
“As production activity has risen in
Columbus, we continue to see opportunities available for locals to work in
areas of high interest in the film and
television space,” said Joel Slocumb,
Columbus Film Commissioner. “Our local incentive, diversity of locations and
resources to support film production
has been a great benefit to directors
and producers selecting Columbus for
their projects.”
Aaron Buzza is senior vice president of Visit Macon. He says that 2025
is shaping up nicely for middle Georgia. “This is going to be an exciting
year for film and television in Macon.
In addition to the list of unique loca-
tions we have to offer productions already, a new sound stage will be opening later this year. This flexible space
will be available for productions of any
size, of course, but is being developed
to focus largely on independent and
smaller-budget projects. It will make
filming in Macon even easier.”
Other regions are thriving as well.
Projects are ramping up in Valdosta,
Savannah, St. Mary’s and North Georgia. “The film industry in Hall County
has been pretty steady thanks to the
wonderful film tax credit legislation in
Georgia and gorgeous locations on and
around Lake Lanier. Even through the
pandemic and labor strikes, we managed to draw film and television projects to the area. Recently, there’s been
an uptick in scouting requests, which
promises to yield a very productive
2025,” says Stacey Dickson, president
and CEO of the Lake Lanier CVB.
Randy Davidson is the founder and CEO of Georgia
Entertainment.
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