Since the Georgia General Assembly passed its film and television tax-credit incentive in 2008, Atlanta has experienced the evolution of the industry first hand. At its highest point, the film and television industry generated $4.4 billion in the state in 2022. Projects such as “Baby Driver,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and “The Walking Dead” have all filmed in Georgia, contributing to the city’s status as a production hub.
However, in recent years the industry as a whole has slowed down due to consecutive national issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the writers and actors strikes of 2023, and Marvel Studios choosing to leave Georgia and the U.S. for cheaper alternative shooting locations in the United Kingdom.
But Matthew Booth, owner of the video store Videodrome, says the lack of studio work has opened the floodgates for independent filmmakers.
“With the film industry slowing down there has been a sizable growth in these small local films that are being produced in Atlanta mainly because there are so many skilled filmmakers out of work for the first time in years,” Booth said. “We’re trying to support this local film movement as much as possible. I just spent several days at the Atlanta Film Festival, and 30 percent of the films screened were Georgia made.”
Independent filmmaker Jackson Barker, who has collaborated on music videos and made a short film, said he has often wondered whether or not he has a future in this industry in Georgia, but always comes back stronger than ever.
“I think about the discernment and the future of my place in this environment and oftentimes get worried,” Barker said. “But literally living in an environment where everyone I know is writing, singing, filming it gives me so much inspiration and drives me to keep going.”
Evyn Barron of Rhude House, a rental company that provides equipment like cameras, grip, and lighting for independent filmmakers, acknowledged the hardships of being independent through his own journey. Rhude House was borne out of the fact that Barron’s school’s gear cage was not equipped to handle the type of short films they wanted to produce.
“Becoming a rental house came out of necessity and convenience,” he said. “We ended up acquiring our own lights, stands, cameras, etc.”
Barron’s drive and desire to create films is what started his journey, and his desire to support others in similar positions spurred him to create the company.
Barron acknowledged that the industry slow down is not just a Georgia issue. New Mexico, New Orleans, Louisiana, and California have all experienced significant declines in production. But Barron wants to stay in Atlanta and support homegrown creatives.
“We love supporting creatives in Georgia and try our best to be the support that we wished we had when starting our own film journey. Currently, we plan on staying in Atlanta,” Barron said. “The industry is slow for sure and that can be said for anywhere. The ATL filmmakers that we support and that also support us are why we do this and we plan on supporting them as long as they keep creating.”
