ATLANTA — The film industry in Georgia is still at the top against other locations, according to the state.
11Alive’s Ryan J. Dennis spoke with Bert Brantley, CEO of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, during Georgia Film Day, which celebrates the economic benefits that the TV and film industry has had on the state.
During a presentation, officials highlighted the Georgia Film Academy and its impact of bringing professionals into the workforce. Georgia Film Works also revealed the launch of its website, which is dedicated to the thousands of Georgians working in the film and television production industry.
Last year, more than $2 billion was spent from professionals in the production industry here.
“So, the real number that we focus on is the direct spending,” Brantley explained. "These are the dollars that production companies spend in Georgia, and that’s $2.9 billion in 2019."
"People can talk about the economic impact of what those dollars are but you can’t dispute where those dollars are spent in Georgia. They’re spent employing Georgians, catering, restaurants, hotels, really all across Atlanta, and all across Georgia,” Brantley added. "We really want to celebrate those dollars coming in the state, and turning our economy."
Films like “Bad Boys for Life,” “Jumanji,” and Marvel’s “Avengers” film series have all contributed to making the state the top location for filming last year.
“We’re the number one location for blockbuster features, so those of the top 100 movies that are shot, in terms of the amount of revenue created, Georgia has more of those produced than any other place. And its because we have the "Avengers," and we have Dwayne Johnson’s “Jungle Cruise” and “Jumanji” and those great movies that are coming out,” Brantley said. "So, when you have Sony, Disney, NBC Universal-Comcast these great partners that we have shooting their blockbuster movies here - those are the ones that have great economic impact. Lots of hotels, lots of meals, transportation to set. Those are the ones that have a big impact."
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