For a long time, if you wanted to become a star you made the trek to Hollywood. That is quickly changing. Atlanta and the surrounding area is now a hub for the entertainment industry, as is all of Georgia. Shows and movies are now clambering to film in the heart of the South. This year alone the economic impact of the entertainment industry in Atlanta has topped over six billion dollars and there is no sign of it slowing. Pinewood Studios, where Ant Man was filmed, has been a major contributor. Of course you can’t forget AMC’s hit series The Walking Dead which as had a huge affect on the state.
One of the major affects of the new thriving industry is the number of job opportunities the shows and movies provide. Ant Man alone provided more than 3,500 much needed jobs to Georgians.
Many new series and movies are slated to film in Georgia this year, including Netflix’s original series Stranger Things, Fast & Furious 8, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Avengers: Infinity Wars, Stan Against Evil, Rings, the prequel for The Ring and the horror-comedy Vampire Movie and that’s just to name a few. A lot of the new film industry is drawn to the “Peach State” because of the large tax breaks (30%).
Georgia is now listed as the third largest producer of films and shows in the U.S. and by the end of 2017, I have a feeling we will be at number 2. The studios and prop houses in Georgia are not only doing well, they’re all expanding to larger locations or building on to their current locations. As a Georgia girl myself, I hope to see the film industry continue to blossom in Atlanta and through out the state.
