Article by Gabe Wardell on Screen Grab, Creative Loafing

Georgia Films Create Georgia Jobs: GPP (and others) on the offensive
Posted by Gabe Wardell on Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 9:09 AM

Are Georgia Tax Incentives About to get Merked??

I received an email last night from the Georgia Production Partnership about the current state of the Tax Incentives which are up for review by the state legislature in light of the state's dire economic budget crisis.

"Did you know that the Film Incentive is under review in the state legislature? It could be written off the books.

GPP is on the offense. Part of our plan is to populate a FaceBook Page with industry success stories. We are calling all members to sign on to this page and tell us how the incentive has impacted you. We need everyone to do this.

Sign on to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgia-Films-Create-Georgia-Jobs/125145060889730?v=wall and share "why you stayed in Georgia to work," "why you came back to Georgia to work," or "how you or your company has benefited from the Incentive." Do this now.

A big "shout out" to our Teamsters Local 728. They were the first to sign on the FaceBook Page and tell us how they have more than tripled the number of working members since the Film Incentive was enacted. This is the type of story we need."

In the film, television and gaming production game, competitive tax credits are the single most effective method for attracting lucrative Hollywood films and television series to shoot in your market.

While the initial return of 30% may seem like the state is giving away the store, the impact of such investment pays dividends in other ways—most noticeably jobs. The amount of industry professionals who have returned to Georgia from Los Angeles, New York, Louisiana and North Carolina because of the influx of steady work is noticeable—especially at places like GPP meetings, and in industry circles.

To keep them here, and working, the state needs to maintain an even keel. The incentives package and tax credits need to be reliable, stable and sustainable.

The production boom has also boosted service and hospitality industries like catering, hotels, car services, restaurants, amplified industry-centered services like equipment rental, security, payroll, set-construction, costumes, effects, etc. as well as providing local creative professionals from actors, artists, make-up, builders, craftspeople chances to work.

The Facebook Page is an opportunity for individuals who have benefitted from the legislation to share their stories with the world.

Apryl Hughes I am a MUA and actor, I just moved back to the south east from LA, because I have heard that there is so much work coming to the southeast, especially Atlanta. I really hope that the incentives stay, there are a LOT of people counting on the chance to find work here.

Heather Place I've been a member of SAG for 17 years and feel so fortunate to be able to live and work in Georgia and raise my daughter here without having to relocate to L.A., primarily because of these wonderful incentives! This act is creating jobs for Georgians, keep the work in our state—please!!

Clayton Landey I am a Union Actor since 1975. After 30 years in Los Angeles I moved back to Atlanta. Thanks to the Tax Incentive program I have been a contributing member to this economy ever since. Recurring on Drop Dead Diva, working in Franklin and Bash, Footloose and now Undocumented Executive


Since the signing of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act on May 12, 2008, dozens of feature films have come to Georgia to shoot, as well as television series like "Drop Dead Diva," "Vampire Diaries," and "The Walking Dead."

If the incentives go away, so does the work.