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.
As a swimming pool contracting business, Aquatic Environments has benefited from the numerous amount of water scenes in productions shot in Georgia. In fact, the upswing in business related to film has added 20 percent...
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...
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...
Like a lot of people, Alexander Kane wanted to become an actor in the movies. Against all odds in south Georgia, Kane made that dream come true. And then, like the countless working actors before him, Kane wanted to...
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...
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...
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...
For Boise Cascade, a wholesale distributor of building materials for residential and commercial construction markets, Georgia’s film industry is a consistent and reliable channel for the company that fills gaps during...
Filming under the Gold Dome! "The Walking Dead" transformed the Georgia State Capitol into a dystopian museum, making it the first production set of its kind. Governor Nathan Deal even dropped by the set.
Stacy Milner remembers having to explain the acronym to her peers.
The longtime entertainment industry professional was discussing helping students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) break into her...
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...
David Nash was a struggling remodeling contractor who decided to try his hand at set carpentry in the film industry. Today, he is the owner of his own studio, Wilder Studios, which has been fully booked since it opened...
Dallas resident and electrical contractor Rick Harris started Harris Diversified as an electrical equipment rental company catering to the film industry. What began as a family operation, quickly grew to 14 full time...
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”...
“Before we got into film, we had workers that were reduced to 20 hours a week, now they’re getting 40 to 50 hours a week. That makes a real difference in their lives.” Classic Tents & Events in Norcross started renting...
"The Hate You Give" filmed many of their scenes in Southwest Atlanta, utilizing the culture and small businesses of the local community.
Catering by Chef Rob was started by Robert Smith and is based in Doraville. His company handles all the catering for many productions throughout Atlanta. Since relocating to DeKalb County, Robert has created four...
The 2012 production of “Wanderlust” had a large impact on Habersham County, with over 200 production crew, staff, and actors residing in the North Georgia county for over 12 weeks. Mountain cabin rentals and local...
College Park resident Dwight Abercrombie credits the film industry for getting his life back on track. Before working in film, he worked “dead-end” jobs that all seemed to end the same. An opportunity at EUE/Screen Gems...
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...
After the recession of 2008, Luke Welden was searching for work after his family’s construction business slowed down. He found an opportunity in the film industry as a location manager for an independent film. Luke...
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...
Andrea McDougal and her husband Christpher are the owners of McDougal Movie Medics, which staff productions with certified emergency medical professionals. Before starting their own business, Andrea worked with Grady EMS...
Growing up in Savannah, Lawson Bruen loved two things: the movies and the outdoors. He dreamed of working in the film industry and of becoming an environmental scientist.
Now 34, Lawson has accomplished the first with...
