Group dedicated to investment in Georgia film and television industry welcomes new members today
ATLANTA – Sept. 9, 2018
The Georgia Studio & Infrastructure Alliance, the state’s only organization dedicated solely to representing local investment in Georgia’s film and television production industry, announces eight new members today, doubling its size since its creation four years ago.
Founded in 2014, the Alliance is anchored by a core group of studios that includes Atlanta Filmworks, Eagle Rock Studios, EUE/Screen Gems Studios, Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Third Rail Studios, and Triple Horse Studios. In recent months, the Alliance expanded to include infrastructure members — companies that provide support services to production studios and their clients. The Alliance also works closely with Georgia Production Partnership, founded in 1995 to strengthen and grow the film and television industry here.
New members include Cofer Bros., Crafty Apes, Enterprise Entertainment and Production Rentals, Herc Entertainment Rentals, Lightnin’ Production Rentals, Moonshine Post-Production, PC&E, and Sim Digital Inc.
“We’re investing in our business to support Georgia’s film industry, and that’s benefiting Georgia families,” says Gary Lewis, president of Lightnin’ Production Rentals. The company, founded in 1979 in Dekalb County, has doubled the size of its fleet and grown from 45 to 70 employees since Georgia’s film tax credit was introduced in 2008. “The film industry is creating opportunity for Georgians, and we’re doing our part to create jobs that add to Georgia’s tax base.”
Members of the Alliance serve the film and television industry in a variety of ways, including providing studio space, camera equipment, visual effects and post-production services, HVAC, power equipment, truck and car rentals and building materials — and all have invested in the long-term success of the state’s growing production business.
“Since 2008, the success of Georgia’s film and television industry has prompted our company to expand into an industry that’s new to us, yet consistent with the service and values we’ve been known for in the building supply industry since 1919,” says Chip Cofer, President and CEO of Cofer Brothers, a major supplier of construction materials to the industry. “The Alliance provides companies like ours a united voice about important issues affecting the industry.”
According to Gov. Nathan Deal’s office, Georgia-lensed feature film and television productions generated a total economic impact of $9.5 billion during fiscal year 2018, and the 455 combined productions shot in the state topped its previous high. The 455 film and television productions represent $2.7 billion in direct spending in the state, according to the Governor’s office.
“As a stand-alone organization, our laser focus is championing the long-term benefits of this industry for Georgia’s workforce,” says Kris Bagwell, chair of the Alliance and Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen Gems Studios. “These new members show how broad the impact of production is across the state.”
The Georgia Studio & Infrastructure Alliance is a unified voice representing studios and other companies essential to the industry’s infrastructure to the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and any other state entities dealing with the regulation of the entertainment industry. A key initiative of the Alliance is its on-going sharing of stories about Georgians building careers and changing their lives through employment and opportunity in the state’s film and television industry. Read those stories on our blog page and on the Alliance’s Facebook page.