Every county in Georgia is now named Camera Ready!

The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office launched the Camera Ready Communities program in 2010 to train and certify Georgia counties to work effectively with production companies and provide local, one-on-one assistance in every aspect of production, from location scouting and film permits to traffic control, catering and lodging. The program is a special designation given to participating Georgia communities interested in cultivating and attracting the entertainment industry. 

Today Gov. Nathan Deal announced that all 159 Georgia counties have been designated Camera Ready. As the first program of its kind in the nation, Georgia is the leader in offering a community-based production assistance program.

“Not only does this industry employ more than 77,900 Georgians, but it creates a sustainable environment with new infrastructure, more business opportunities for existing Georgia businesses and new educational programs through our universities and technical colleges,” said Deal. “I congratulate every community in Georgia for taking part in this statewide program and making our state a more attractive place for film and television production.” 

The final 20 counties that received the Camera Ready designation include: Atkinson, Baker, Burke, Charlton, Echols, Effingham, Glascock, Heard, Irwin, Jefferson, Jones, Long, Peach, Pierce, Treutlen, Twiggs, Ware, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth.

“Georgia’s Camera Ready liaisons offer productions direct access to local resources and play an essential role in attracting movie and television projects to Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “This industry is already having a significant impact in communities across the state creating new jobs, investment opportunities, new tourism product and beyond - I am thrilled that every county in Georgia wants to be part of the action.”

Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office Program Manager Craig Dominey assisted each community with obtaining its designation.

“When we began this program four years ago we had 16 communities certified as Camera Ready,” said Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office Deputy Commissioner Lee Thomas. “With every county prepared to assist the film industry, Georgia is better equipped to welcome and serve more productions statewide.”

The film industry continues to thrive in Georgia with more than 158 feature film and television productions shot during FY14, with a combined production spend of $1.4 billion. As a whole, the industry’s economic impact for FY14 hit $5.1 billion, up from $1.33 billion in FY10 when the Camera Ready Community Program began.

Click HERE to learn more about Georgia’s Camera Ready Community Program!