Hollywood of the South

Movie and TV filming in Georgia is bigger than ever.

By Michelle Martin

If it seems you're seeing familiar scenes practically every time you turn on the TV or go to the movie theatre, you probably are. Metro Atlanta and other communities in Georgia have become a hotspot for television and film producers. During Fiscal Year 2014 alone, 158 feature film and television productions were shot on location or on set in Georgia generating an estimated economic impact of $5.1 billion, according to a recent press announcement by Governor Nathan Deal.

TV productions like "The Walking Dead," filmed in Senoia and other Georgia communities, and "The Vampire Diaries," filmed in Covington, and blockbuster movies like "The Hunger Games" series, "Anchorman 2" and "Ride Along," all shot in Atlanta, showcase Georgia landmarks and landscapes before a worldwide audience. In addition, you may recognize local businesses, buildings and backgrounds featured in upcoming releases like "Dumb and Dumber To," "The Fast and the Furious 7," and the new TV series "Constantine." A number of reality TV shows and HGTV series also film in metro Atlanta and throughout the state.

To assist producers in scouting locations, the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Office of Economic Development, has partnered with local communities to create Camera Ready programs. Craig Dominey, Camera Ready program manager, says the Camera Ready Communities program was established in 2010 to train and certify skilled county liaisons who will provide one-on-one assistance in every aspect of production from location scouting and film permits to traffic control, catering and lodging. "This program gives Georgia counties the tools to promote their shooting locations and other local production assets, and effectively work with production companies to create a positive local experience for the film or TV project."

To date, 140 counties in Georgia are Camera Ready-certified. Katie Bishop, communications/project manager for the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, which oversees Cherokee County's Camera Ready program, says a short film was shot in downtown Canton last year, along with a movie, commercial, and reality TV show filmed this year in Cherokee. "Our office is constantly working to promote Cherokee and to build lasting relationships with film scouts. When a site in Cherokee is chosen for 'the big screen' or TV, it gives us an opportunity to showcase our wonderful community on a national stage and to reach a much larger audience," Katie says. "When crews come to our community for filming, they hire local contractors, eat at our restaurants, stay within our hotels, make purchases locally, etc. The more that is filmed in Cherokee, the more recognition we get among the 'Y'allywood' community, thus exponentially growing the economic impact."

The increase in movie and TV filming in Georgia, especially in recent years, is increasing interest in Georgia among fans as well. The instant and enormous popularity of "The Walking Dead," for example, brought curious and devoted fans to the state for the chance at an up-close, behind-the-scenes experience. Film-based tourism isn't new, though. Savannah noticed a similar influx of tourists nearly 20 years ago during the filming of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Other movies filmed in Georgia, including "Driving Miss Daisy," "Fried Green Tomatoes," and "The Blind Side," along with numerous TV shows have attracted fans for an insider's look. Tourism and local officials have developed a series of planned tours and points of interest that take fans to the set or, at least to the setting of their favorite Georgia-based movies and TV shows. ComeTourGeorgia.com features behind-the-scenes trivia and a complete list of film tour itineraries that will give movie and TV fans a glimpse of Hollywood in Georgia's own backyard, including:

'Anchorman 2' Tour
Georgia stands in for Manhattan in this sequel starring Will Ferrell, with scenes in and around Peachtree Center, Atlanta Motor Speedway, St. Simons Island, and more.

Classic South Tour
Sights and sounds that feature Southern culture and attractions, filmed in Atlanta, Covington, Crawfordville, Decatur, Juliette, Madison, Monticello, Rome, Savannah and Stone Mountain. Productions include "Driving Miss Daisy," "Forrest Gump," "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," "My Cousin Vinny," "Revolution," and "Sweet Home Alabama."

Good Ol' Boys Tour
A self-guided tour through Athens, Clayton, Jackson, Jonesboro, Kennesaw, Oxford and Woodstock, where such hits as "Deliverance," "Road Trip," and Smokey and the Bandit" were filmed.

Sports Tour
Some of the most popular sports movies, including "Breaking Away," "The Blind Side," and "42" were filmed in Athens, Atlanta, Dawsonville, Decatur, Griffin, Jekyll Island, Johns Creek and Macon.

'The Hunger Games' Tour
Scenes from "Catching Fire" and "Mockinjay" were filmed at the Swan House, Beach at International Park, Atlanta Maarriott Marquis, and other landmarks in Atlanta and Jonesboro.

Undead Tour
The zombies and vampires invasion has come to Georgia! This self-guided tour follows "The Walking Dead," "The Vampire Diaries," "The Crazies," "Zombieland," and "The Signal" through parts of Atlanta, Covington, Perry, Senoia and Valdosta.

Film tourists also can find props and memorabilia from their favorite movies and TV shows filmed in Georgia at museums and attractions open year-round.

New Releases Filmed in Georgia
"Let's Be Cops," August 13
"Last of Robin Hood," August 29
"Addicted," September 5
"The Good Lie," October 3
"Kill the Messenger," October 10
"The Homesman," November 7
"Dumb and Dumber To," November 14
"The Hunger Games: Mockinjay," November 21

Currently Filming in Georgia
"Archer," on FX
"Dish Nation," on Fox
"Finding Carter," on MTV
"Mineral"
"999" (Triple Nine)
"Big Foot"
"Chrisley Knows Best" S2, on USA
"Ride Along 2"
"Satisfaction," on USA
"The Walking Dead" S5, on AMC
"Sorority Sisters," on VH1
"Family Feud"
"Bolden"
"Constantine," on NBC
"Red Band Society," on Fox
"Resurrection," on ABC
"Vacation"
"Complications," on USA
"The 5th Wave"
"The Vampire Diaries" S6, on CW
"The Originals" S2, on CW
"Powers," on Sony Playstation

Casting in Georgia
With so many different movies and TV shows being filmed in Georgia, local and national casting agencies are always looking for local talent for certain roles and extras. ComeTourGeorgia.com includes information on productions currently casting in metro Atlanta and around Georgia. Sign up for the Georgia Newsreel Blog to get the inside scoop on what's filming where and when.