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.
Family-owned Lightin’ Production Rentals has been serving Georgia’s film industry for nearly 40 years. However, it doubled its product line and grew to 70 employees ever since the film tax credits were passed. The...
“Council of Dads” producer Tony Phelan talks about how Savannah is in the DNA of the show.
A sound mixer and boom operator with 18 credits to his name, Moses Conrad Norman got into the movie industry as a direct result of going through the Georgia Film Academy’s program. He took various classes which he says...
Austin Arizpe had dabbled in stunt work enough in Texas and New Orleans to know that he liked it. In fact, he decided to make it his next career, after an injury had ended his time as a dancer, with classical ballet...
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...
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...
Jantzen Winnig, a Covington native, grew up with a passion for filmmaking. He also was very fortunate to have constant productions filming in his backyard of Newton County. This allowed him to meet many directors and...
Georgia’s film industry is growing so fast, that Cinema Greens has had to expand multiple times. Started in 2013 in Hampton, the company dresses set, production sound stages, and event spaces with plants and decorative...
John Howington prides himself on bringing Southern hospitality to film and TV productions where he provides craft services - meals and snacks to cast and crew.
"I try to operate my department like it's my Grandmother's...
If you love to shop, you’d love Amanda Cornell’s job. She buys most of the stuff that winds up on a movie set. Actually, it’s more than shopping.
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...
The Savannah Economic Development Authority (“SEDA”) facilitates business attraction, retention, and expansion in Savannah, operating various divisions including the Savannah Regional Film Commission (“SRFC”). The film...
Sunnyside ATV Paradise, located in Wrens, Georgia, has found itself as the perfect location for Georgia-based productions. It has served as the mountains of Afghanistan to the backdrop of various music videos. But it...
Taylor Vickers followed her husband in the film production location industry. One production lead to another, and eventually she was asked to help scout the HBO series “Sharp Objects.” She drove all over Georgia until...
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...
“I've really seen the market boom in the past few years thanks to Georgia’s film industry.” Chad Casey founded Casey Corporate Transportation in 2003, and he now employs five drivers that fulfill the transportation needs...
Catrina “Cat” Dygert hasn’t been wasting time. The self-described journalist and filmmaker has already co-written a screenplay that has been turned into a film; plays, monologues, articles, and reviews are on her resume...
Brandon Marsh was determined to develop his passion for film into a career path in his hometown of Columbus. But it wasn’t until the newly opened Georgia Film Academy began offering classes through Columbus State that he...
The city of Roswell serves as Houston in the Academy Award-winning film, "First Man."
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...
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...
Cast and crew of the movie, “Reactor,” have started filming in Cordele. Drawing on the unique resources of south Georgia, the production was able to film in Fitzgerald and Valdosta. Producers are also employing a number...
Back in the 1950s downtown Covington was a thriving retail center for Newton County. On the square shops sold shoes, clothes, jewelry, and furniture. There were restaurants, hair salons and barber shops. Then came the...
Nikki Johnson, a set dresser from Jasper, says she is grateful for the film industry and the opportunity to make a good living without a college degree.
“My husband and I are building a house right now,” says Nikki....
