How the Film & Television Industry boom in Atlanta has effected Actors/Actresses and the community

Over the past few years, the film industry in Georgia has grown exponentially. In 2008, Georgia started offering 20 percent tax credits to productions with at least a $500,000 production budget. If the Georgia logo were at the end of the credits, the state would up its offer to 30 percent. Currently, Georgia (was number 1) ranks at number two (tied with the United Kingdom) in the world for the most feature films being shot in the state, with a total of 15 (tallied from last year). Last year, television productions in Georgia had an economic impact of $9.5 billion during the 2017 fiscal year. During that same year, the 320 feature films/television productions shot in the state represented $2.7 billion in direct spending.

That’s how the boom has affected the economy, but how has it affected the actors/actresses in the area? Of course, the number of roles has increased with the number of films/shows being shot here. It’s cheaper for producers/casting directors to cast within the state; not only that, it allows promotion for local talent. It’s not just the roles that have increased but overall opportunities. People are now moving across the state (not at the same rate as Los Angeles, California) with dreams of making it on the big screen. With the added influx of people comes the opportunity for collaborations and room to network.

Danielle Deadwyler - Credit Dustin Chambers for The New York Times