It’s not called Hollywood of the South for nothing, as more and more filmmakers I know continue to move to the state – specifically, Atlanta.
Last week, the Georgia Studio & Infrastructure Alliance (GSIA) announced the members of a new film and television studio and infrastructure association for Georgia: Tyler Perry Studios, Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, EUE/Screen Gems Studios Atlanta, Mailing Avenue Stageworks, and Triple Horse Studios.
Due in part to Georgia’s Entertainment Industry Investment Act (also called the Georgia film and television credit), these 5 large Georgia-based studios have come together to serve as a legislative and educational advocacy group for studio and production support businesses in the Georgia film and television industry. Education of the crew members and development of talent needed to keep clients returning to Georgia will be another key focus.
Ozzie Areu, President of Tyler Perry Studios said, “Tyler Perry Studios is pleased to become a part of the Georgia Studio and Infrastructure Alliance. We believe that it is important for those investing in making this a long-term business in the state of Georgia speak with one voice. TPS is fully committed to working with state and city officials along with the other members of the Alliance to make the TV and film production business a permanent fixture in Georgia’s vibrant economic success story.”
Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office Deputy Commissioner Lee Thomas points to the combination of the sound stages and the film tax credit making it possible to attract projects that directly and indirectly employ more than 77,900 people in the state. “Being able to provide productions with state-of-the-art infrastructure, a trained workforce and deep network of support services is essential to the sustainability of this industry,” she says.
GSIA executive director Misty Holcomb says the membership will eventually encompass other production support businesses such as post-production houses, lighting and grip companies, production payroll and others.
Tyler Perry Studios, Atlanta tylerperry.com/studio Southwest Atlanta facility used exclusively by Perry includes 200,000 sq ft of studio space, post-production facility, sound stages and back lot.
Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, Stone Mountain and Norcross, Ga. eaglerockstudiosatl.com Currently in Stone Mountain, they offer 65,945 sq ft of production space. A four-stage lot with 119, 418 sq ft of production space is under construction in Norcross with grand opening scheduled March 22, 2015.
EUE/Screen Gems Studios, Atlanta studios.euescreengems.com/Atlanta 10-stage Atlanta studio complex with 212,000 sqft of production space at former Lakewood Fairgrounds.
Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Atlanta mailingavenuestageworks.com Mailing Avenue Stageworks is an 85,000 sq ft single-stage production facility in the Grant Park area of Downtown. On the Westside, they have a 55,000 sq ft studio called Westside Stageworks.
Triple Horse Studios, Covington, Ga triplehorse.com A micro studio used exclusively by Triple Horse featuring a 52,000 sq ft facility with full production and post-production divisions, including digital intermediate, foley stage, dubbing stage, insert stages, camera, and production equipment. A 200,000 sq ft expansion is in development.
