Two local film production companies have partnered with Assembly Studios, planning to produce their next slate of films using the studio’s resources.
Autumn Bailey Entertainment (ABE) and Braveheart Entertainment announced the partnership with Assembly in December of last year. According to a press release, both companies aim to “build a sustainable model for high-quality, character-driven storytelling that blends artistry, efficiency, and innovation.”
Autumn Bailey, founder of Autumn Bailey Entertainment, said that she first began considering the possibility of a partnership while chatting with a group of film producers at a mixer hosted by Assembly Studios in September of last year.
“I asked if they would be interested in supporting local independent filmmakers to bring awareness and assistance to indie films,” she said in an email.
Around that time, Ty Walker, founder of Braveheart Entertainment, began having similar thoughts about how partnering with a local studio might help boost indie production. Assembly, which is managed by Universal Production Services, seemed like the perfect fit.
“Within my 20 years, I’ve been on a lot of stages, in the United States and out,” Walker said. “This is the best stage I’ve ever been on. You can tell that it wasn’t just a real estate play. The people involved in building Assembly, you can tell, are also filmmakers. They know the world.”
Walker knew he wanted Braveheart to work out of Assembly. As he was drafting an email to send to the powers that be, he got a call from Bailey essentially pitching the same idea.
“As I’m pressing send, Autumn calls my phone,” Walker said. “Hey Ty, have you ever thought about — and we had the conversation.”
Part of what drew ABE and Braveheart to Assembly Studios is the fact that Assembly is a one-stop shop for film production. In addition to sound stages, Assembly features full production services, hair and make-up rooms, set lighting and grip, costumes, and more.
“Autumn Bailey Entertainment and Ty Walker’s Braveheart Entertainment partnership with Assembly leverages the Southeast’s most advanced production ecosystem — combining world-class stages, cutting-edge technology, and a full-service infrastructure that supports everything from large-scale tent-poles to independent filmmakers,” said Dan Biersdorf, vice president of Universal Production Services at Assembly Studios, in the release.
According to Walker, having everything in one spot can help cut down on costs and time for independent productions.
“The beauty of … what they’ve set up is that again, I can pretty much get everything that I need right here on campus,” Walker said. “The only thing that they don’t have is camera, which we usually get from other folks anyway. But everything else is literally right here.”
In the indie world, cutting down on costs is paramount. Financing and finding money to fund projects is always the toughest part.
“Projects cost money. When indie filmmakers don’t have a studio or production company to back them up financially, they have to go out and hustle for that money,” Bailey said. “Partnerships come in as guidance and connections. To get indie filmmakers in the rooms where they couldn’t get in themselves. Connections are key within the industry.”
Both Walker and Bailey said they have projects they’re ready to get underway at Assembly. Bailey said ABE is hoping to get the ball rolling in the upcoming months. Walker said Braveheart has one project they’re looking to get started at the end of Q1, and a few other projects gearing up for Q2.
Biersdorf, who helped facilitate the partnerships with ABE and Braveheart, said Assembly wants to continue to work with independent artists.
“Right now, we are excited about the current partnership to unlock opportunities within the Georgia ecosystem and will continue to welcome independent filmmakers to Assembly,” he said in an emailed statement.