Georgia Film And TV Productions Spent $4.4 Billion In The 2022 Tax Season Helping Jump Start New Opportunities

According to the Georgia Film Office, film and TV productions spent $4.4 billion across the state in fiscal 2022 setting a new record.

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, the department recorded 412 productions shooting in the state. They consist of 32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 TV productions, 42 commercials, and 33 music videos.

Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp, said about the accomplishment, “When the pandemic struck, we worked hard in Georgia to communicate with our partners in the Georgia film, TV, and streaming industries,”

“Together, we forged a safe and appropriate path to allow the film industry to return to operations and deliver Georgia Made productions to eager consumers all around the world – even when some states continued to stay shut down and stifle the industry’s return to normalcy. Because of this partnership approach and the resiliency of our state’s film and television infrastructure, which state and local economic development officials have been working for almost fifty years to build, we are once again celebrating incredible growth and investment from industry leaders.”

Some particularly noteworthy high-grossing productions have called the state home over recent years including Black Panther, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Stranger Things, Ozark, and Loki.

The growth of Georgia’s project amount has coincided with massive investment into studios and production infrastructure.

Shadowbox Studios acquired a hefty investment from tech investment firm, Silver Lake, to expand its presence. Triltith Studios is expanding, as well as Cinelease Studios-Three Ring, and Electric Owl Studios. All aiming to capitalize on the rush of business coming to Georgia due to the incentives.

The tax credit has, however, been attacked legislatively in recent times. In March, there was a proposal tabled to Georgia’s Senate Finance Committee to cap tax credits at $900 million, coupled with stopping film and TV production companies from selling the credits to third parties. The movement was quickly squashed and jettisoned.

“In addition to providing production jobs that range across a variety of skills from accounting to carpentry to engineering and graphic design, productions are using local vendors, eating at Georgia restaurants, and staying in our hotels,” Kemp said. “We’re proud to be training more Georgians to be decision-makers in film and television production, keeping their talents in our state, and we look forward to this industry’s continued success in the Peach State!”

With Georgia’s run of productions, jobs and talent have been rife throughout the state. As Kemp mentioned, that is not limited to just production roles, as the financial touch of a film, TV or content-based project is far-reaching.

Angie Callen, founder and principal, of national organization Career Benders Inc., said on the development of Georgia’s opportunities, “The professional landscape is changing, and career coaches are playing a pivotal role in helping candidates navigate the challenges of job searching and professional development, so building awareness around these types of movements in Georgia is always great.”

“The film and TV industry is providing opportunities that I’m sure people in Georgia were originally skeptical about, but the proof is in the pudding. The most important thing is that people take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself. It’s the perfect time to learn a new skill if you’re not happy with what you’re doing and to develop other passions. As there is so much room to grow with high amounts of inward state investment.”

Callen is uniquely placed as someone who has experienced very unique changes and challenges from a career perspective that led her on a path to starting a company. As a result, she thinks that Georgians wanting to get into the entertainment industry or an adjoining industry in the state are “as well placed now than ever before.”

“I started my career as a civil engineer, and I knew in college it wasn’t what I wanted to do, but when you go to engineering school at Carnegie Mellon, you don’t change majors your junior year,” Callen said. “As a generational ‘cusper’ stuck smack between Gen X and the Millenials, I entered the market at a time when career options weren’t as robust as they are today, and it’s exciting to see how many career paths there are now.”

Callen’s career journey had quite a few stops, including time at a nonprofit film festival where she gained insight into the inner workings of the entertainment industry as well as business leadership. These insights have proved beneficial to designers, engineers, creatives, and execs looking to enter film, entertainment, e-sports, gaming, or similarly competitive industries.

“I watched the changes begin to unfold right before my eyes, and I did something many people didn’t do in the early 2000s. I changed careers.”

Callen is adamant that though changing careers can seem daunting, it’s often necessary for genuine career longevity, personal growth, and overall life satisfaction.

“Job searching today isn’t as simple as it was ten years ago. Firing off a few printed resumes with some random bullets about your career summary isn’t enough, especially in competitive, high volume markets. You have to be strategic, intentional, and focused.”

“I think it’s important for people in this state and beyond, especially those that are struggling with professional satisfaction, to consider coaching or professional development support. Getting where you want to go is totally achievable; sometimes, you just need a guide.”

While Career Benders has risen into the global spotlight, with a recent nomination for an international career coaching award, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. “Career Benders is my 13th entrepreneurial endeavor, and it’s the one that finally stuck,” Callen shared.

Callen advises job seekers that whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, don’t give up. Keep pushing forward and have patience; you’ll hit roadblocks but if you’re persistent, you’ll get there. Whether it’s on TV, in a film, or elsewhere – you can do this.

Controversy

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Georgia. Their controversial 2019 abortion law was allowed to take effect in the state which led to numerous celebrities calling for productions to boycott the area.

In response several entities, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Georgia, and Georgia-based law firms Caplan Cobb and Bondurant Mixson & Elmore, are arguing that when the law was filed – in 2019 – it was still protected under the federal constitution and as the law must be passed based on when it was filed it should be void.

A new legislative proposal would have to be tabled post the overturning of Roe v. Wade in order to be processed, which in itself would be a lengthy process.

Through the aforementioned credits, it’s clear Marvel/Disney has a deep connection with the state. It will be interesting to see if the legislative changes to abortion law will impact that relationship, and if so, how much.