James May June 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 43
eorgia’s ascent to becoming
a major player in the film
and television industry is a
story of continued vision,
resilience, and concerted
strategic investment. Over
the past decade, the state has evolved
into a production powerhouse, attracting filmmakers and television producers from around the world.
This transformation was catalyzed
in 2008 by a pivotal legislative act, setting the stage for an unprecedented upsurge in productions, buoyed by the tax
incentive and long term investment by
state leaders, as well as massive investments in production facilities.
The 30 percent incentive was and
remains the standard for productions to
consider a locale for film projects with a
relevant budget. At the time, we didn’t
foresee how the creative economy
would take hold and a new structure
would arise, democratizing the entertainment industry on a global scale.
Georgia now sits in the driver’s
seat with state-of-the-art production
facilities and communities embracing
the economic development that comes
with film and television productions.
This impact is now understood to go
beyond the project itself, cultivating
opportunity and invigorating communities long after the projects are gone.
Trilith stands as a modern example of Georgia’s expansion around the
creative economy. With an innovative
town centered around the film and
creative industries and the largest
purpose-built studio complex in North
America, Trilith is also opening two
live-audience stages in May as part of
Trilith LIVE. The complex will include
an auditorium with 2,000+ seats,
premium conference space, a luxury
cinema, an indoor atrium, an outdoor
plaza, and dedicated parking.
Beyond Trilith, other development
plans are situated and expanding
further as well including Assembly
Studios, Three Ring Studio and Tyler
Perry Studios. Outside the surrounding
Atlanta area, communities like Columbus, Rome, Augusta, Athens, South
Georgia and Middle Georgia have
shown that the rural and regional communities embrace this perfect timing.
Along Georgia’s coast the momentum is at warp speed for a variety of
reasons. Why? It’s because of record
breaking port activity, an unmatched
tourism boom and continued investments bolstered by the state. When
you toss in millions of dollars of direct
spend by film and television productions and add the world’s leading
creative university-- Savannah College
of Art and Design (SCAD)— it’s a recipe
already baked for success.
A key organization tying creatives, government, education and
private industry along the 113 miles
of Georgia’s coastline is the Coastal
Entertainment Alliance. Founded
by Matt Campbell, this group brings
together businesses, communities,
and creatives to advocate, educate,
and promote the coastal region to
filmmakers and creatives around
the world. As the creative economy
expands into regional and rural areas,
groups like Coastal Entertainment
Alliance, B.I.G. Film & Entertainment
Alliance, Georgia Regional Film &
Entertainment Alliance and Entertainment Tourism Alliance of Georgia
work alongside other partners to
highlight the growing success of the
industry. As a result, we have seen a
renewed focus on workforce development initiatives that give our citizens
access to opportunity and the skills
they will need to compete in this high
demand career field.
At the forefront of film and TV’s
growth is the Georgia Department
of Economic Development (GDEcD),
which has effectively marketed
Georgia as the premier destination for
production to companies like Apple,
Amazon, Sony, Warner Bros., Lionsgate
and others. The state’s educational
institutions and training programs,
such as the Georgia Film Academy,
also play a pivotal role in developing
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