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.
The McIntosh County Shouters are featured in “Freedom’s Path,” an historical film based on the Civil War. The director of the film came across the world renowned Shouters after seeing them perform at the Smithsonian. Not...
The Netflix series “Stranger Things” economically revitalized the once closed Gwinnett Place Mall by it into a movie set. Making the mall the premier setting for its third season, “Stranger Things” brought plenty of...
Columbus firefighter Daniel Hord and his wife Jenny ventured into the film production business by opening up their family farm in Ellerslie to film productions. Aside from helping the local economy, the Hords wanted...
When Stevie Martin moved to Atlanta from Miami in 1992, she dreamt of sitting in front of the camera as a news anchor. Little did she know, Georgia’s prominence in the film industry more than two decades later would...
Savannah based Sapelo Insurance has completely embraced the film industry by taking advantage of a business opportunity: providing insurance for productions filming in Georgia. It has even added an entire division...
East Point has been capitalizing on its ideal location for film and TV production, also known as the “Film Triangle.” Situated next to studio complexes (Tyler Perry Studios and EUE/Screen Gems) and a short drive to...
Valdosta native, Tina Sauls, moved back from Los Angeles to work in Georgia’s film industry. After graduating from Valdosta State University, she realized that there was more opportunities in Georgia than California: “I...
Hanna Brothers believes that a great meal brings people together, and that the world could use a little more of that right about now. The small business has been in the film catering space since 1997 and now have over...
Drew Keener found a way to work as an artist and film set illustrator in his hometown of Woodstock. After graduating from SCAD, Drew went to work with Max Graphics in Kennesaw, a company that provides artistic...
Stone Mountain becomes a utopian settlement for displaced youth in the series "The Darkest Minds."
Korean War-era film “Devotion” is the true life story of Jesse L. Brown, the nation’s first African American to complete Naval basic flight training. The airport in Statesboro provided the backdrop for the replica of the...
Event Services of Georgia provides portable toilets and sanitation services to more than 100 productions in Georgia. Owner Jody Tinsely of Cumming saw a need in the marketplace and has hired six additional employees to...
Georgia.org Content: Dodd Vickers graduated from Georgia Tech and served in the U.S. Army, but he never thought he could pursue a career in film in his home state. He is now a location scout, and uses his geographical...
When Savannah area production designer Parker Beck gets an opportunity, she makes sure it is one for local businesses, too.
Paul Palmer and his family took a trip to Atlanta in 2002 that would change their lives (and many others) forever. While walking the city with his wife Patty and one of their sons they encountered a homeless person on...
PiperMed was born of necessity. When Columbus-born film producer Meredith Riley Stewart attempted to make her feature during COVID-19, safety was her top priority. She approached the founders of a local community clinic...
Mark Manning is the manager of the Rookery, a longtime Macon establishment. The excitement and expanded customer base brought in by film productions has allowed the restaurant and bar to double its capacity and hire more...
When they founded Bay Point Media in 2019, partners Rob Moran and Chandler Rierson predicted they’d have at least one film production wrapped by now.
Let’s make that four, with a fifth in the works and a pipeline...
Seth Ingram has been running the Rome International Film Festival since 2015. Since then, he has turned the festival into a high profile event. After graduating from Georgia State, Seth wanted to settle in his hometown...
Film producers and directors are falling in love with filming in Dahlonega, especially as the setting for Christmas themed movies. Small businesses such as the Dahlonega General Store cater to cast, crew, and local...
Augusta has made tremendous strides towards becoming a film destination, and that is certainly reflective in the story of sound mixer Nick Laws. Doing sound on film and television productions has allowed Nick to grow his...
Mike Morris is a photographer, business owner, writer, and producer. But he is most proud of his title as teacher. Mike teaches visual storytelling and film at the Utopian Academy for the Arts in Clayton County. Through...
Buck Meeks of Richmond Hill owns Myrtle Grove Plantation along with his brother John. Their property has been the setting of countless productions over the years, adding to the tax revenue and small business growth of...
What began with "The Vampire Diaries," continued with "The Originals," and now "Legacies" on The CW. Covington, Georgia continues to be the "home base for that universe." Hear the crew talk about working so long in a...
