- (laughing) That's good.

Oh wait, are we rolling?

Sorry.

I was just watching this scene that looked pretty familiar.

Turns out it's because it was actually filmed right here in Georgia.

Yeah, Georgia is kind of a big deal in the entertainment world.

And it's not just movies, TV shows, music, art, video games, and even live productions all play a role in Georgia's growing entertainment industry.

From busy city streets to quiet small towns, creators and performers are using Georgia as a stage, a set, and a source of inspiration.

But how did Georgia become such a hotspot for entertainment?

And what does that mean for the people who live and work here?

We're going behind the scenes to explore how Georgia's entertainment industry grew and how it helps power the state's economy.

So lights, camera, Georgia.

(cheerful music) Entertainment has always existed in many forms like music, theater, art, and storytelling.

And in Georgia, support for the arts goes way back.

For centuries, Georgia has been home to performance spaces and cultural landmarks that continue to shape creative life.

In Savannah, the historic Savannah Theater has hosted performances for generations, standing as one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the country.

And just down the road, the Telfair Academy, Georgia's first public art museum, shows how long the state has valued visual arts and cultural expression.

Today, theaters, museums, galleries, and arts organizations across the state continue that tradition.

They create jobs for performers, curators, and directors.

They support arts, education, schools, and they help bring communities to life.

Now let's turn up the volume because in Georgia, music doesn't just play in the background.

It takes center stage.

Georgia has a long musical history, from early roots in gospel, blues and country, to global influences in hip-hop and R&B.

Over time, the state has grown from producing regional sounds to shaping major trends in the music industry.

By the 1990s, Atlanta especially began rising as a creative powerhouse.

Studios, labels, and local talent helped turn the city into a launchpad for artists who would go on to influence music worldwide.

Today, Metro Atlanta is recognized as one of the most important music hubs in the country.

And behind every hit song is a whole team making it happen.

Producers building beats, sound engineers mixing tracks, marketing teams promoting releases, and live event staff bringing performances to life.

That comes out to thousands of jobs connected to one industry, and it doesn't stop when the song drops.

Concerts and festivals bring fans from all over, turning one night of entertainment into a ripple effect across the economy.

Hotels fill up, restaurants get busy, transportation services run nonstop, and local businesses see a boost in customers.

So when the music plays in Georgia, the economy turns up right along with it.

Now let's cut to the screen and talk about one of the biggest stars of the show, film and television.

You've probably seen it without even realizing.

Superheroes on the streets of Atlanta, dystopian worlds filmed in small Georgia towns, fictional middle schools that are real Georgia schools.

Yep.

Hollywood didn't just visit Georgia.

It basically set up camp here.

But to understand why, we need to go back to the 1970s.

Roll the tape.

(tape rolling and beeping) (upbeat music) In the early 1970s, several blockbuster hits were filmed in Georgia that got the attention of audiences and production companies.

They showed Georgia's potential as a prime filming location.

So Governor Jimmy Carter, who was inspired by the film's economic impact and the state's growing potential, established the Georgia Film Commission in 1973.

This commission aimed to support and attract film production, and it worked.

One major reason is Georgia's location.

The state's moderate climate means filming can happen year round.

While we don't have long winter shutdowns, we still experience all four seasons.

Add in Georgia's diverse landscapes, along with its mix of cities and small towns, producers have plenty to work with.

Plus, Atlanta's major international airport provides easy access for actors, crew, and equipment flying in from all over the world.

So with the help of the Georgia Film Commission, film and television production expanded across the state during the 1980s and 1990s.

Around that same time, a media entrepreneur named Ted Turner was reshaping the industry.

Turner founded what is now known as Turner Broadcasting System or TBS in 1965.

Over the years, he grew it from a small Atlanta station into a national powerhouse.

He expanded into film studios and launched new channels, including CNN, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network that focused on everything from news to cartoons to drama programming.

His work created thousands of jobs in Georgia and helped attract even more media companies to the state.

Turner's success helped further put Atlanta and Georgia on the map as an important hub for media production.

By the early 2000s, Georgia had already built strong momentum in the film industry.

In fact, by 2007, more than 550 major productions had been supported through the state's film office.

Then came a major shift in 2008.

That year, Georgia introduced a powerful tax incentive program for film and television production.

A tax incentive is a financial benefit offered by the government to encourage certain activities.

In this case, filming in the state.

Georgia's tax incentive said if a company spent a certain amount of money filming in Georgia, the state would give a portion of that spending back.

Production companies suddenly had a reason to choose Georgia.

And when they came, they didn't just bring cameras.

They brought jobs and lots of them.

Actors, directors, set designers, makeup artists, stunt coordinators, electricians, caterers, drivers, you name it.

And when they filmed in Georgia, they also spent money in local communities.

Hotels, restaurants, equipment rentals, transportation, and small businesses.

That ripple effect helped generate billions of dollars in economic impact over time.

And while big productions were arriving, another media mogul was emerging.

Enter Tyler Perry.

Writer, producer, and entrepreneur, Tyler Perry built a successful entertainment empire in Georgia.

Since the early 2000s, Perry has produced hit films and television shows that have reached audiences worldwide.

Then in 2019, Tyler Perry built one of the largest film studios in the country.

Located at the former Fort McPherson site in Atlanta, Tyler Perry Studios further solidified Georgia's role in the film industry.

And as production in the state grew, so did its education.

Colleges and programs across Georgia began training students in screenwriting, filming, production, and editing.

Institutions like Savannah College of Art and Design and the Georgia Film Academy have helped prepare students for careers in film, TV, and digital media.

- Imagine a place where the camera rolls, the slate claps, and creativity flows just like the rolling credits of your favorite movie.

Welcome to the Georgia Film Academy, a premier destination for aspiring filmmakers and seasoned professionals alike to sharpen their skills and ignite their passion for cinema.

- Because this industry doesn't just need stars, it needs crews, creators, and technicians behind the scenes.

And all of that is supported by Georgia's unique advantages.

A strong transportation network, a skilled workforce, a supportive education system, a diverse landscape, and a business-friendly environment.

But entertainment in Georgia goes beyond just film and music.

Fast-forward to today, and it also includes interactive media like gaming and virtual and augmented reality.

As these industries have grown, Georgia has kept up by offering programs in schools and colleges that prepare students for careers in areas like digital design, gaming, and cybersecurity.

So when you step back, Georgia isn't just part of the entertainment industry.

It's one of its biggest stages.

From historic theaters and museums, to hit music and blockbuster films, Georgia has been shaping entertainment for generations.

And it's not just about what we watch or hear, it's about what it creates.

Jobs, tourism, business growth, and billions of dollars flowing through the state's economy.

And as the entertainment industry continues to evolve with new technology, Georgia is evolving with it, training students, supporting industries, and staying at the center of the action.

So whether it's a stage, a studio, or a screen, one thing is clear.

Georgia isn't just where stories are told, it's where they're made.

- Cut.

(bell rings) Tales.

(upbeat music) (pleasant music)