General Facts 

• Economic impact of entertainment industry projects handled by the Georgia Film, Music

  & Digital Entertainment Office in 2009: approximately $770 million.

• There were 348 productions shot in the state in 2009.

• There are approximately 25,000 entertainment industry jobs in Georgia.

• More than 700 feature films, TV movies, TV series, single episodes and pilots have been

  produced in Georgia since 1972, generating $7 billion dollars in economic impact.

• The state’s first tax incentive, a point of purchase sales and use tax exemption, was

  introduced in 2002.

• The state’s second and most progressive tax incentive, the Georgia Entertainment

  Industry Investment Act, was signed into law by Former Governor Sonny Perdue in May

  2005 and updated in May 2008.  

• These industry establishments are supported wholly or in part by the production of

  feature films; television movies, series, pilots and miniseries; commercials, music

  videos, documentaries and still shoots.

• Number of crew members: 5,000+ individuals/technicians. Average number of local

  employees on a medium budget feature film: Approximately 150-175 people.  Larger

  budget production: Approximately 200-250 people.

• Average feature film budget: $41.7 million.

• Average amount (below-the-line) of feature film budget spent in a jurisdiction (state,

  province): 60% - 70%. Higher for locally produced projects.

• More than 14 in-state colleges and universities offer degrees or study in film and

  television production.

• There are 132 movie theaters in Georgia, with 1,208 screens, employing 1,254 people. 

Statewide Impact

• Georgia-lensed movies "Zombieland" and "The Blind Side" both opened at No. 1 at the

  box office.

• "The Blind Side" was nominated for 2 Academy Awards in 2009, including Best Picture

  and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sandra Bullock).

• Wild Adventures amusement park in Valdosta was the location of the climactic zombie

  fight in "Zombieland."

• "The Crazies" used Perry, Fort Valley, Cordele and Montezuma as stand-ins for fictional

  Ogden Marsh, Iowa.

• "Drop Dead Diva" was the Lifetime network's most popular original series in 2009, and

  filmed in Peachtree City.

• Three of Tyler Perry’s made-in-Georgia films have opened at No. 1 at the box office.

• Box office hits "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof" were produced by Sherwood Pictures

  in Albany.

• The HBO feature "Warm Springs" garnered 16 Emmy nominations with 8 Georgians

  represented in six categories. It ended up winning 5 Emmys, including 3 presented to

  Georgians. Filming locations included Warm Springs, Gainesville, Atlanta, Madison and

  Summerville.

• Crawfordville has been host to more than 8 feature films and television movies ("Get

  Low," "Sweet Home Alabama," "The Neon Bible," "Stars and Bars," "The Coward of the

  County").

• Savannah has been host to dozens of feature film and television projects that include:

  "The Last Song," "The Conspirator," "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Forrest Gump," "The

  Gift," "Glory," "Forces of Nature," and "The General’s Daughter".

• Columbus hosted "The Fighting Temptations" at its River Center for the Performing Arts.

• Covington has been home to dozens of feature and television projects that include the hit

  TV series "The Vampire Diaries" and "In the Heat of the Night."

• Rome hosted "Sweet Home Alabama," as well as "The Mosquito Coast," "Remember

  the Titans" and "Class of 61".

• Americus was host to the TV movie "To Dance with the White Dog".

• The small town of Juliette was revitalized when "Fried Green Tomatoes" was largely shot

  in that community.