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.
Before his job as an on-set production dresser, Germaine Riggs could not afford health insurance. His position as a cook didn't pay all the bills, and he had to supplement his income with food delivery jobs. A degree...
Senoia is situated in Coweta County, approximately 35 miles south of Atlanta, and has a population of just over 5,000 according to the 2020 US Census. Although primarily a residential community, Senoia has garnered...
Georgia.org Content: Chelsea Lockhart graduated from SCAD with a Masters in Production Design and began her career as a production assistant. Because of the booming film industry in Georgia, she quickly was able to use...
Navy veteran and Snellville resident, Kent Roland, always had an interest in film. He had various jobs in Atlanta after leaving the service. But it wasn’t until he took advantage of the resources with VGIFT (Veterans of...
As the film industry continues to explode in Georgia, local colleges and universities are adjusting their programs in an effort to give students and alumni a voice in show business.
Whether they want to be in front of...
Atlanta realtor, Mary Louise Freeman, used her intimate knowledge of neighborhoods in the city to become a location scout and assistant location manager during the recession. After working on many major film productions...
Mamie Pound always had a passion for the entertainment industry as she worked as a local radio and television personality. After she left the industry, she opened her own small business, the Rothchild Pound House Bed and...
Cereal boxes from the 1980s, newspapers from the 1910s, and a wooden saloon sign from the 1800s — each of these period pieces can instantly transport viewers to a specific time and place with just a glance.
Like costumes...
Ellenwood resident, Jeff Nix, found a way to use his expertise of reptiles and exotic insects to make a living in the film industry in Georgia. Over the past couple of years, he has built a business off supplying...
After moving to Georgia from Puerto Rico to work in production rigging, Manny Rivera saw an opportunity to start his own business. Grip It Good was founded in 2015, and it supplies rigging equipment to TV and film...
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...
The trustees of Timothy Lutheran Church (TLC) in Woodstock were excited to get an unexpected windfall from the Christian movie “A Walking Miracle” filmed in Georgia. While looking for a location to shoot a pivotal action...
Set lighting technician Colin Luke moved to Georgia from Louisiana to join the thriving film industry in the state. As a skilled lighting technician, Colin works with the director of photography to light sets and...
Operational since 2020, Cinelease Studios – Three Ring has undergone a significant expansion to deliver state-of-the-art soundstages and studio facilities to productions shooting in Georgia.
Georgia prides itself on having locations to fit almost every film staging, and Clayton County native (and GSU graduate) Kyle Hinshaw knows them all as a location manager. Whether it’s Atlanta as a setting for a car...
Barbara Zagrodnik has always been on the front lines of the growing film community in Augusta. With each production in Augusta, Barbara sees the impact on crew depth, location logistics, and overall community development...
Macon native Catina was drawn back to her home state after a stint studying film production at UCLA. As the industry acknowledged the incredible growth of the film industry in Georgia, she thought it would be a perfect...
BPS Companies of East Point reinvented itself during the recession to cater to the growing entertainment industry in Georgia. The 64-year-old company with 95 employees initially focused on auto parts distribution and...
Business owners, Maryelle St. Clare and Christine Nelson, breathed new life into an abandoned warehouse in Atlanta. The sisters, who owned a set decorating company called Oompalala, turned the space into a mini-mall for...
There is no greater success story than a production revitalizing a community. And that is exactly what happened in Covington. The long-running TV series “The Vampire Diaries” used many of the landmarks in downtown...
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...
Hudson Hickory House in Douglasville has been owned and operated by Buford and Scot Huson since 1971. But it wasn’t until the growth of Georgia’s film economy that the restaurant had the opportunity to shine in front of...
Every year hundreds of commercials are filmed in Georgia, capitalizing on the crew, actors and infrastructure shared by the booming film and television production industry, and playing an important role in the careers of...
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...
