EXTRAS CASTING CALL: Feature Film EMPEROR

Kendall Cooper Casting is currently accepting photo submissions for the upcoming feature film EMPEROR. The film will be directed by Mark Amin and produced by Cami Winikoff and Reginald Hudlin.

Georgia High Schools Will Offer New Writing Courses Geared Toward The Film Industry

The film industry is booming in Georgia, and there are many opportunities for those seeking to work behind the camera whether it’s set design, lighting, or other “below-the-line” trades.

One area where Georgia needs more talent is in the creative writing and content production side of the business, and that’s where Georgia high schools come into play.

“Georgia high school students will have a new English class to choose from in the fall. State officials have approved a new dramatic writing course for film, television and theater.”

“We’re really asking and putting into place initiatives that address, ‘How do we build an industry here that is permanent and sustainable?’” Stepakoff said. “This new initiative that is beginning in high schools is really the beginning of a series of initiatives and actions to make sure that Georgia trains and keeps writers—content creators—here in our state.”

Full Article Here

Variety: Georgia’s Tax Credits Have Turned State Into Top Production Hub

Locally, here in Chatham County, filmmakers can monetize additional local incentives on top of the popular state incentives.

Thanks to generous tax breaks, robust infrastructure and experienced crews, the state of Georgia has grown into the third-largest production hub in the U.S. Features, TV series, animation, music videos, commercials and games all qualify for credits of up to 30%. There are no limits or caps on Georgia spend and the program has no sunset clause.

At its base, the program allows for a 20% transferrable tax credit for companies that spend $500,000 or more on production or post-production in Georgia, either on a single production or on multiple projects. An additional 10% is available if the finished production includes a promotional logo provided by the state.

This program has boosted Georgia in recent years to become one of the world’s largest production centers. In the U.S., only California and New York can claim more film and television activity.

The Town From Hallmark Channel’s ‘The Beach House’ Is a Real Place You Can Visit

One of the additional benefits of film production in our community: TOURISM!

If Hallmark Channel’s adaptation of The Beach House is making you want to jet off to your very own low-country beach house, you’re not alone: The real-life Georgia setting is both a popular spot for vacations and film crews.

While The Beach House is set in Charleston, South Carolina, most of the movie was actually filmed just further south on Georgia’s Tybee Island, a scenic, coastal area slightly west of Savannah and south of Hilton Head Island.

Full Article Here 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

*City of Savannah Moses Jackson Advancement Center Seeking Bids for Film Instructor for our Summer Career Camp of the Arts

Camp is composed of 6th to 12th graders / approx. 12 to 18 years old

SCCPSS presents the Student Film & Media Festival with the best selection of work from local students.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Yamacraw Center for the Arts

Please RSVP to https://tinyurl.com/y9hvzdcv by May 1st

CREW CALL: EMPEROR

The feature film ‘Emperor’, is currently hiring.

Email resumes to EmperorMovie2018@gmail.com

Please specify your desired position and department in the subject line.

Award-winning filmmaker and Savannah native Deborah Riley Draper kicks off the SSU Indie Film Fest this Saturday

The SSU Indie Film Festival kicks off on April 21, 2018 with the screening of the NAACP Image Award nominated documentary Olympic Pride, American Prejudice.  Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and Savannah, GA native Deborah Riley Draper (Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution) and narrated by Blair Underwood, Olympic Pride will be screened at 4:00PM at the Torian Auditorium located at at 3219 College Street, Savannah, GA 31404.

The screening is free and open to the public.

“As a filmmaker, I am inspired and eager to shine light on the untold and intentionally and unintentionally dismissed stories, voices and characters that make up the rich tapestry of African American history. Olympic Pride, American Prejudice follows 18 African Americans who are little known but the impact of their efforts at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin is a seminal moment in civil rights, the integration of sports and the use of sports as a social justice platform. It’s an unbelievable story and we are honored to tell it,” says Writer/Director Deborah Riley Draper.

A Q&A session with Ms. Riley Draper will follow the screening.

View the trailer for the film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Icc35DJPM

How was Savannah? ‘Gemini Man’ production talks ‘wonderful’ city, and hope for a return

April 12 is the last day of shooting in Georgia for “Gemini Man,” the film most of Savannah has been talking about since it set up shop a number of weeks ago. The film, which stars Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Clive Owen, is moving production to Colombia and Hungary, but wanted to leave the Hostess City with their impression of the town so multiple members of the production took the time to answer questions from the Savannah Morning News.

What made you all decide on Savannah as the filming location?

Savannah had everything (the) production was looking for, as well as terrific infrastructure, great assistance from the Savannah Film Office, as well as city and state authorities, talented local crew, and fine housing for cast and crew. It’s a wonderful place to make a feature film.

What have the interactions with locals who have shown up while you all have been filming scenes been like?

Local people have been consistently and genuinely polite, friendly, kind and hospitable, as well as very patient and understanding. We could not ask for more. #GeminiMan

Read here the Full Savannah Morning News Article

Variety Reports: Savannah’s 10% Rebate Sweetens Georgia’s Transferrable Tax Credit

Bustling Atlanta may be the third-largest production center in the U.S. (after L.A. and New York), but the coastal Georgia city of Savannah offers far more charming allures for producers looking to shoot amidst cobblestone streets, green parks and historic buildings – not to mention in the haunting Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the novel and film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Plus, the city provides a 10% rebate on qualified film and TV spend on top of Georgia’s already generous 20-30% transferable tax credit.

To qualify, films must be budgeted at $1.75 million or higher. Qualifying TV series must include a minimum of five episodes.

The minimum spend must be $500,000 per film; $500,000 is also required of TV, per season. There’s a project cap of $150,000 for film and $250,000 for TV, per calendar year. In addition, at least 60% of the filming days must take place in Chatham County, where Savannah is located.

Recent projects shot in Savannah include “The Front Runner” (2018), “Baywatch” (2017), “Gifted” (2017), “Live By Night” (2016), “The Birth of a Nation” (2016), “Z: The Beginning of Everything” (TV Series, 2015 to present), “Magic Mike XXL” (2015), “The Legend of Bagger Vance” (2000), “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” (1997), “Forrest Gump” (1994), “Cape Fear” (1991) and “Glory” (1989).

Information courtesy of EP Financial Solutions, a production incentive consulting and financial services company.

http://variety.com/2018/artisans/production/savannah-production-incentives-2-1202743939/