Peaches & Profits: Georgia-The New Competitor in Film & Television Productions

            Many of us know New York, Louisiana, and California as states renowned for film and television productions but now these states must prepare and make room for their newest competitor-Georgia! In recent years, Tyler Perry, of Tyler Perry Studios, has built his multi-million dollar studio and EUE/Screen Gems has renovated their 33-acre film/television premises. Atlanta is also home to entertainment companies Turner Studios and Rainforest Films. Additionally, one can include top reality television shows such as Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta; VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta; and now Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club into Georgia’s television production portfolio! Furthermore, many great television series: Drop Dead Diva, The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf, Necessary Roughness, Single Ladies, and Vampire Diaries scenes have been shot in GA. Finally, one would be remissive in doing a proper roll call without including some of GA’s recent films for instance-Fast 5 (which opened at No.1 in the Box Office), Joyful Noise, Footloose, American Reunion, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, The Three Stooges, and X-Men: First Class. 
(Check out this site for more fun facts about Georgia!)

            Georgia is now one of the top 5 production locations in the country. And the reasons are not only due to GA’s beautiful, scenic landscape; talented workforce, and wide array of production and recording facilities. GA has an astounding 20% tax incentive!  Included in this package is a unique peach logo in the credits- that will earn prospective companies an additional 10% bonus. Can you say cha-ching!?! According to the AJC, the original bill (Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act) was passed in 2008. Eligibility for tax credits includes the production company spending at least $500,000 in Georgia in a given year. The competitive income tax credit has appealed to entertainment industry leaders and the Georgia Camera Ready program encourages private partners to build sound stages, post-productions venues, and additional infrastructure to support large-scale productions.

            In 2011 alone, Georgia’s Film, Music, & Digital Entertainment economic benefit generated virtually $2.5 billion; which positively impacted thousands of businesses. Since 1972, over 700 feature films, TV movies, TV series, single episodes and pilots have been produced and accrued over $7 billion in Georgia. According to the Georgia website , the average feature film budget is $41.7 million and over 25,000 Georgia residents are employed in the entertainment industries, including 11,000 full-time equivalent positions. The film and television production industry has impacted Georgia tremendously especially with attracting filmmakers, tourism, and employing the many talents in Georgia. 

            Being a native Georgian I'm  exuberant about the entertainment opportunities that exist here. Georgia has more than 14 colleges/universities that offer degrees or studies in film and television. My alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, is one such university and I can attest that it thoroughly prepared me (at the undergraduate level) for success in the entertainment industry.  Presently, I’m enrolled in a Master’s program at Full Sail University and I’m gaining more knowledge and entertainment acumen. Each day I feel more empowered and equipped for success. I love this journey!!!

 Georgia is definitely on my mind! Is it on yours too?

I hope that these words encourages anyone who reads them. ♥

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