Entertainment Industry Gathers at Capitol for Inaugural Film Day

ATLANTA, February 29, 2012 — The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), designated 25 Georgia counties Camera Ready at the inaugural Film Day at the Capitol event today. The state's Camera Ready Community Program was created to enhance Georgia's statewide resources for the growing number of film and television productions. Launched in October 2010, the program now includes 136 counties across the state. 'Georgia has positioned itself as one of the top states in the nation for film and TV production,' said GDEcD commissioner Chris Cummiskey. 'The economic impact created in FY11 accounts for 22 percent of the entire film impact produced in the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment division's 38-year history. Film Day at the Capitol is just one way of recognizing how important this industry is for Georgia's economy.' The Camera Ready program was established by the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment division to offer film and television production companies additional resources and information in Georgia communities. The program is a special designation for participating Georgia counties that are interested in attracting entertainment productions. The 25 Georgia counties that received the 'Camera Ready Community' designation include Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Clay, Crawford, Dodge, Early, Forsyth, Gilmer, Grady, Lamar, Lanier, Madison, Monroe, Oglethorpe, Quitman, Seminole, Stewart, Talbot, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Wilkinson. From July 2010 through June 2011, more than 336 productions invested more than $683.5 million in Georgia. These projects alone generated an economic impact of $2.4 billion. Georgia-filmed movies slated to hit theatres in the coming months include 'The Three Stooges' on April 4; 'American Reunion' on April 6; 'The Wettest County' on April 20 and 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' on May 11. Multiple top-rated television series are currently filming across the state including Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva,' CW's 'Vampire Diaries,' VH1's 'Single Ladies,' MTV's 'Teen Wolf' and AMC's record-breaking 'The Walking Dead.' To learn more about Georgia's Camera Ready Community Program, please visit www.georgia.org/cameraready. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia, and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects. Visit www.georgia.org.