While movies can be the stuff of make believe, the film and television industry in Georgia provides more than 25,000 real jobs for real people. And those are just the jobs directly involved in production. Other film-related jobs include hair and makeup stylists, caterers, truck drivers, electricians, painters, construction workers, accountants, security guards and many more.
The direct economic benefits of film production in Georgia came to nearly $2.5 billion in 2011 and positively impacted thousands of businesses, from hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and rental car companies to hardware stores, lumber yards, garden nurseries, heavy equipment rentals and office supply companies.
By working hard to attract film and television production to Georgia through tax incentives, Georgia’s Camera Ready program, and by encouraging private partners to build sound stages, post-production facilities and additional infrastructure to support large-scale productions, we’re strengthening Georgia’s economy and providing jobs and economic stability for families all over the state.
Here are some film and TV production facts that show the positive impact filming in Georgia has had on filmmakers, Georgia residents and cities and towns throughout the state.
GENERAL FACTS
- Georgia is one of the top 5 production destinations in the country.
- Economic impact of entertainment industry projects handled by the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office in FY 2011: approximately $2.4 billion.
- 336 productions shot in the state in FY 2011.
- Recent films shot in Georgia include Footloose, Joyful Noise, Wanderlust, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, American Reunion, The Three Stooges, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Fast 5, and X-Men: First Class.
- A record number of television series are shooting in the state, including The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf, Single Ladies, Auction Kings, Necessary Roughness, Vampire Diaries, and Drop Dead Diva.
- Over 25,000 Georgia residents are employed in the entertainment industries, including 11,000 full-time equivalent positions.
- Since 2008, more than 30 industry-specific supplier companies have expanded or relocated to Georgia, including EUE/ Screen Gems Studios Atlanta, Raleigh Studios at Riverwood, Atlanta Film Studios in Hiram, Paskal Lighting, and Panavision, the world leader in camera equipment.
- Atlanta is home to entertainment companies like Tyler Perry Studios, Turner Studios and Rainforest Films.
- Since 1972, more than 700 feature films, TV movies, TV series, single episodes and pilots have been produced in Georgia, generating over $7 billion dollars in economic impact.
- The state’s first tax incentive, a point of purchase sales and use tax exemption, was introduced in 2002.
- The state’s second and most progressive tax incentive, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, was signed into law by Former Governor Sonny Perdue in May 2005 and updated in May 2008.
- Average number of local employees on a medium budget feature film: Approximately 150-175 people. Larger budget production: Approximately 200-250 people.
- Average feature film budget: $41.7 million.
- Average amount (below-the-line) of feature film budget spent in a jurisdiction (state, province): 60% - 70%. Higher for locally produced projects.
- More than 14 in-state colleges and universities offer degrees or study in film and television production.
- There are 132 movie theaters in Georgia, with 1,208 screens, employing 1,254 people.
STATEWIDE IMPACT
- X-Men: First Class used Jekyll Island as Cuba in the finale pitting the superheroes against one another and U.S. and Russian navy ships.
- Fast 5 used portions of Metro Atlanta as Rio de Janiero.
- Georgia-lensed movies X-Men: First Class, Zombieland and The Blind Side all opened at No. 1 at the box office.
- The Blind Side was nominated for 2 Academy Awards in 2009, including Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sandra Bullock).
- The primary location in the film adaptation of Nicolas Sparks’ novel The Last Song, starring Miley Cyrus, was changed to Tybee Island and filmed in and around the local community.
- Wild Adventures amusement park in Valdosta was the location of the climactic zombie fight in Zombieland.
- The Crazies used Perry, Fort Valley, Cordele and Montezuma as stand-ins for fictional Ogden Marsh, Iowa.
- Drop Dead Diva was the Lifetime network's most popular original series in 2009, and filmed in Peachtree City.
- Three of Tyler Perry’s made-in-Georgia films have opened at No. 1 at the box office.
- Box office hits Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous were produced by Sherwood Pictures in Albany.
- The HBO feature Warm Springs garnered 16 Emmy nominations with 8 Georgians represented in six categories. It ended up winning 5 Emmys, including 3 presented to Georgians. Filming locations included Warm Springs, Gainesville, Atlanta, Madison and Summerville.
- Crawfordville has been host to more than 8 feature films and television movies (Get Low, Sweet Home Alabama, The Neon Bible, Stars and Bars, The Coward of the County).
- Savannah has been host to dozens of feature film and television projects that include: Forrest Gump, Glory, The Last Song, The Conspirator, The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Gift, Forces of Nature, and The General’s Daughter.
- Deliverance was filmed primarily in Rabun County and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012. The film is credited for giving birth to the whitewater rafting industry.
- Columbus hosted The Fighting Temptations at its River Center for the Performing Arts.
- Covington has been home to dozens of feature and television projects, including the hit TV series The Vampire Diaries and In the Heat of the Night.
- Rome hosted Sweet Home Alabama as well as The Mosquito Coast, Remember the Titans and Class of 61.
- Americus was host to the TV movie To Dance with the White Dog.
- The small town of Juliette was revitalized when Fried Green Tomatoes was largely shot in that community. The Whistle Stop Café still functions as a tourist attraction.