Georgia Film Stories
Georgia is one of the top film-production centers in the world, thanks to the Georgians, small businesses and engaged communities that work together to create the best climate for storytellers to succeed.
In fact, the best stories in the business are the personal stories of the Georgians who work behind the scenes — whether it’s the production that has spurred new investment in a local community, the small business that has expanded to serve the industry, or the Georgian who has obtained professional training to become a crewmember on a set. Collaborating with industry partners and Georgia’s “camera ready” contacts, the Georgia Film Office is cataloging stories in Georgia’s film industry from across the state to tell the story of how “Georgia Film Works!” Submit your own Georgia Film success story.
Small Business Stories
Small business stories spotlight the local small businesses that serve Georgia’s film industry.
Production Stories
Production stories spotlight the impact specific movie productions have had in local Georgia communities.
Georgian Stories
Georgian stories spotlight individuals working in Georgia’s film industry.
Georgia Film Academy
The Georgia Film Academy is a collaborative effort between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to support the workforce in Georgia’s film industry. It is affiliated with more than 25 campuses across the state and connects Georgia students with production employment.
Local talent agencies supply actors to productions large and small, but first you’ve got to get your foot in the door.
When 9-year-old Lila Jane Meadows of Roswell heard an agency, the one that gave Chandler Riggs of...
When movie star Robert De Niro wanted to know how to hold his gun, while playing a Georgia sheriff, he asked Joe McCrea.
And when Robert De Niro wanted to know how to say his lines, as a Georgia sheriff, he listened to...
Seth F. Johnson grew up in a world surrounded by creative minds. You could say it’s in his blood.
A filmmaker in Canton has finally realized his decades-long dream of directing and writing a feature-length movie.
“Jesse’s Gift” is the feature film debut of director and screenwriter Ken Merritt.
Hollywood productions often call for specific, elaborate set decorations. Take the show "The First Last," for which Myers Carpet of Dalton produced three 38-foot oval rugs for the Oval Office sets of different...
Athens resident Danielle Rusk is a key assistant location manager who sees the film industry’s impact on small businesses every day. In her role she must coordinate business relationships with tent companies, equipment...
Occasionally we check-in with some of the people featured in our stories to learn how their careers are progressing in Georgia's production industry. Here's an update on Theresa Daniel.
When Covid-19 derailed...
Movie stars such as Bruce Willis and Luke Wilson have been seen around Tifton, but the excitement around filming in this community extends far beyond celebrity sightings. The economic impact to Georgia’s “Friendly City”...
It was a rough time for C&C Draperies, a decades-old family business in Tucker.
About a decade ago, the housing market and changing times had crumbled the old business model.
“Nobody does residential draperies anymore...
Working in sports TV production, Rachel Fry found it difficult to raise a child and continue with extensive travel affiliated with her job. The Georgia film industry provided her with the stability to settle down and...
HBO's "Sharp Objects" filmed entirely in Barnesville, Georgia."We hope when this production company leaves they sing the praises of Barnesville."
Covington resident Nicole Kanoy took her love for animals and made it into a business, supplying and training animals for productions in Georgia. It became so lucrative that she started Animals On Set, a small business...
Location Manager Matt Chamberlin knows firsthand the economic impact a film production can have on a local economy.
"Most people are happy to have us in town," he says. "We can have a serious financial impact on a...
Barnesville artist, Andrew Henry, found a way to marry his passion for visual arts and Georgia film. He worked on the set of HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” painting many of the murals in Barnesville which served as the fictional...
There are Hollywood family dynasties that everyone knows: the Barrymores, the Clooneys, the Coppolas. They've been making movie magic for generations. But there are other families that no one would recognize who've been...
To put in perspective how high and how fast Natalia Temesgen has climbed the ladder of Hollywood writers, you simply need to know the plan this Columbus State University associate professor of English has to watch her...
Tucker native Daren Gayle and his wife Karen are burnishing Georgia’s image one gift basket at a time. They saw an opportunity with the influx of cast and crew coming to Georgia to film. Since then, Georgia Gifts and...
WaterMan Spring Water in Athens has been delivering water to film crews throughout Georgia. Founder Greg Reece used to work for the city of Athens but now has shifted to working full time for his small business that...
Karen Felix has spent 15 years in the film industry, mainly working as a property master. After quitting her restaurant job in 2004, she has been working steadily in the film economy. Now her passion is supporting and...
“I know Savannah like the back of my hand. I knew I found my career path.” Laura Bryant has built a career on location management for film and TV productions, but it was after trying various jobs that enabled her to find...
Former Miss Cobb County, Lace Larrabee got an opportunity of a lifetime: to act in a TV series filmed in Atlanta. Ironically, the series was about pageants, so Lace was a perfect fit. But the experience ignited a passion...
Production Sound Mixer Kevin Strahm found his way to Savannah after working in Augusta, Charlotte, and with his family’s mission in the Philippines. He had always had a passion for the audio visual industry, observing...
Trenton Tye grew up in Southwest Georgia focused on becoming a blacksmith.
As a child, he became fascinated with the trade while on a field trip to a Civil War site. Trenton now has his own business, Purgatory...
