Big growth likely for Georgia's film industry

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by atler8

Actually a lot of Louisianans will be mad too...
Their supposed bragging rights as #2 appear to be in jeopardy with the continued development of critical mass facilities rampant in the film industry in the state of Georgia.

No. 2 to who? Not California. According to Forbes, Louisiana stole that title away earlier this year. California isn't even 2nd. Or 3rd. They're 4th! Read it here:

Cameras Rolling -- Away From California: State Falls To Fourth In Film Production - Forbes

Of course, you can't believe everything you read and who knows for sure? But one thing that's certain: California is hurting, and worried, and desperate. And I don't think anything they do now can shift the tide. The cost of doing business is so much cheaper in states like Louisiana and Georgia, even without the tax incentives figured in. And, I believe, many industry insiders are secretly longing to get out of California and find a better life. Just read or watch any interview with celebs working in Atlanta. They LOVE it (or at least say they do).

BACK TO LOUISIANA: The one thing that sets us apart from them is television. They may own movies, but we have them on scripted series. (Who cares about reality?) And our expanding studio infrastructure should only help widen that gap.


Good info in here, even if it is Deal propaganda:

Deal: Film industry generates $5.1 billion in economic impact | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

[LynnHarris]

Hopefully this will push more movie business to Georgia...


North Carolina Douses Film Incentives After Tea Party Pushback

"As California moves closer to quadrupling tax incentives for film production, North Carolina is moving in the opposite direction, cutting its program this week by two-thirds. The Tar Heel state joins a growing list of those that have scaled back their incentives programs or eliminated them altogether..."

READER COMMENT FROM ARTICLE:

"Yes!!! Hollywood go BACK to California!!! Stay out of the rest of the states. And when I say that, I mean THIS. When did the people of Tennessee or Georgia or North Carolina or Louisiana think they were EXPERTS at making movies? Film started in Hollywood..."

Full Story: Is Tea Party Behind Slashing Of North Carolina Film Tax Breaks? | Deadline

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North Carolina Kills Film Incentives: Which States Benefit?

"Chris Cates, president of C3 Studios in Charlotte, which in recent years housed the pilot for Showtime’s Homeland, and has worked on eight films in the last five years, is considering moving his entire company to Georgia or another state..."

Full Story: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...entives-726966

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

No. 2 to who? Not California. According to Forbes, Louisiana stole that title away earlier this year. California isn't even 2nd. Or 3rd. They're 4th! Read it here:

Cameras Rolling -- Away From California: State Falls To Fourth In Film Production - Forbes

Of course, you can't believe everything you read and who knows for sure? But one thing that's certain: California is hurting, and worried, and desperate. And I don't think anything they do now can shift the tide. The cost of doing business is so much cheaper in states like Louisiana and Georgia, even without the tax incentives figured in. And, I believe, many industry insiders are secretly longing to get out of California and find a better life. Just read or watch any interview with celebs working in Atlanta. They LOVE it (or at least say they do).

BACK TO LOUISIANA: The one thing that sets us apart from them is television. They may own movies, but we have them on scripted series. (Who cares about reality?) And our expanding studio infrastructure should only help widen that gap.


Good info in here, even if it is Deal propaganda:

Deal: Film industry generates $5.1 billion in economic impact | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

They say they love every city that they are in lol

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

"Yes!!! Hollywood go BACK to California!!! Stay out of the rest of the states. And when I say that, I mean THIS. When did the people of Tennessee or Georgia or North Carolina or Louisiana think they were EXPERTS at making movies? Film started in Hollywood..."

DUMB!

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Originally Posted by LynnHarris

"Chris Cates, president of C3 Studios in Charlotte, which in recent years housed the pilot for Showtime’s Homeland, and has worked on eight films in the last five years, is considering moving his entire company to Georgia or another state..."

SMART!

[Newsboy]

THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE ... explains what I posted earlier about Georgia's advantage in TV:

Since 2010, 11 studios have opened, expanded or announced plans to operate in Georgia, including Pinewood, which established its first presence outside the U.K. It joins Tyler Perry's studio, Raleigh and others. Tax rebates as high as 30 percent helped lure 76 series, specials and TV movies in 2012 ... Only California hosted more TV in 2012 with 215 projects ...

Aside from crew and infrastructure, producers say they like the 26 daily flights from Atlanta to Los Angeles. "You don't want actors stuck in airports changing planes -- you're usually paying them to sit there," says Kris Bagwell, executive vp at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta, which opened 10 soundstages in 2010.

That city's air hub was an attraction for L.A.-based producer Mark Johnson (the Narnia movies, AMC's Breaking Bad), who is shooting two TV series there. "Some states have an A and a B crew base, and after that you are in trouble," he says. "Georgia has real depth to its crew base."

That's in part because the state has benefited from the presence of Turner Entertainment in Atlanta, where generations of camera operators, editors, set designers and others have trained. "Georgia actually has had more people employed in the industry sector permanently in production than even Louisiana," says Klowden.

How Georgia Toppled Louisiana in Attracting TV Productions

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by Gemini_Jones

My only gripe is that they fly production crew and cast from NY and LA to film. Only extras and catering are local.

Ummm, this is not true. While many people are flown back and forth from LA, to the chagrin of many locals, there are tons of local people working on productions as well, in real jobs. I have numerous friends who have been working consistently for the last couple of years. All local.

If these productions want the tax incentive, there should be a mandatory percentage of GA based crew that has to be involved.

I agree that having mandatory Georgia-based crew would be a great idea. But do note that the tax incentive only goes into effect after they have spent a certain amount of money in the state. It's not just free money. They have to spend to get a discount.

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

Gov. Nathan Deal and other top Georgia lawmakers have hailed the incentives as job creators, but critics say the tax credits are a costly giveaway to a rich industry and create mainly lower-wage jobs for locals.

Most film and TV jobs are not "lower-wage", at least if you're doing anything legitimate. Even the lowest jobs can be in the mid $20s per hour. Many pay in the $30s per hour for normal jobs.

[dreDREb13]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Most film and TV jobs are not "lower-wage", at least if you're doing anything legitimate. Even the lowest jobs can be in the mid $20s per hour. Many pay in the $30s per hour for normal jobs.

I think a lot of people assume that most people hired are Production Assistants, who make in general around $12 an hour. But it's still not a bad amount of money for the work, and as you've said a grip can get $300/12. Throw that over a few weeks and you've made quite a good bit of money--and that's only for a grip.

Granted, above the line positions and more senior below the line ones are often dominated by out-of-state people. But give the industry enough time and those will move here too, as they've already begun.

[LynnHarris]

“Powers,” First Series for Sony’s new PlayStation Network, Shoots in Georgia

"Sony’s plans to transform the PlayStation gaming console into a provider of exclusive content and their kicking it off with “Powers,” a 10-episode live action series shooting in Georgia from early September through the end of 2014..."

Georgia TV, Film & Music | ComeTourGeorgia.com

[LynnHarris]

California Lawmakers Move to Increase Tax Credits for TV, Film Producers

"The $330 million-a-year commitment puts California on more equal footing with Georgia, New York and other states that have attracted significant entertainment business, in part by offering tax credits that can refund to producers up to 30% of a production's cost..."

Full Story: California Lawmakers Move to Increase Tax Credits for TV, Film Producers - WSJ