From the record-breaking sets of Marvel blockbusters to the chart-topping beats of Atlanta's hip-hop scene, Georgia's entertainment industry isn't just thriving—it's fundamentally reshaping the global landscape of film, television, and music.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Georgia's film industry supported 512 feature film and independent productions with a total qualified expenditure of $4.6 billion
- Georgia ranked as the #1 film production destination in the U.S. outside California for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, generating over 92,000 on-screen talents jobs
- Atlanta's Trilith Studios hosted 18 major blockbuster films in 2022, including Marvel productions, contributing $1.2 billion in local spending
- Georgia's TV industry produced 1,200 episodes of scripted series in 2023, qualifying for $2.1 billion in tax credits
- Netflix invested $650 million in Georgia productions in 2023, including "Stranger Things" Season 5 prep at Pinewood
- Atlanta-based "The Walking Dead" universe generated 450 episodes since 2010, employing 7,000 locals annually
- Georgia music industry generated $5.2 billion in economic output in 2022, supporting 28,000 jobs
- Atlanta recorded 1,200 albums and 15,000 tracks in 2023 at studios like PatchWerk
- Georgia hip-hop artists topped Billboard charts 45 times in 2023, led by Future and Gunna
- Georgia's entertainment industry contributed $14.6 billion to GDP in 2023, representing 3.1% of state total
- Film and TV tax credits issued totaled $1.4 billion in 2023, spurring $7.5 billion in production spend
- The industry supported 278,000 total jobs in Georgia in 2023, including indirect employment
- Georgia's entertainment workforce numbered 92,000 direct employees in 2023, with average salary $78,500
- 45,000 IATSE union jobs filled in GA productions in 2023
- Georgia trained 12,000 new entrants via film academies in 2023 programs
Georgia's entertainment industry is booming, driven by immense film, television, and music production.
Economic Impact
- Georgia's entertainment industry contributed $14.6 billion to GDP in 2023, representing 3.1% of state total
- Film and TV tax credits issued totaled $1.4 billion in 2023, spurring $7.5 billion in production spend
- The industry supported 278,000 total jobs in Georgia in 2023, including indirect employment
- Tourism from entertainment productions added $2.3 billion to visitor spending in 2023
- Georgia's entertainment exports reached $3.8 billion in 2023, primarily film and music services
- Local vendor contracts for productions totaled $1.9 billion in 2023, benefiting 5,000 SMBs
- Property values near soundstages rose 12% in 2023 due to entertainment hub development
- State tax revenue from industry grew 16% to $650 million in FY2023
- Entertainment drove $850 million in construction spending for studios in 2023
- Consumer spending at entertainment events hit $4.2 billion in 2023 across GA cities
- The sector's multiplier effect created $28 billion in total economic activity in 2023
- Film tourism sites saw 1.8 million extra visits in 2023, boosting retail by $300M
- Corporate sponsorships for GA entertainment totaled $450 million in 2023
- Utility revenues from studio campuses increased 25% to $120 million in 2023
- Insurance premiums for productions reached $200 million in GA policies in 2023
- Catering and hospitality for shoots generated $350 million in 2023 sales tax
- Transportation firms earned $280 million hauling equipment for entertainment in 2023
- Retail sales of GA-themed merch from shows added $150 million in 2023
- Philanthropy from industry stars donated $75 million to GA causes in 2023
- Venture capital in entertainment tech in GA hit $250 million in 2023 deals
- Hotel tax collections from productions rose 20% to $180 million in 2023
Economic Impact Interpretation
Georgia is performing the economic equivalent of a perfectly executed heist, where the state's investment of $1.4 billion in tax credits quietly returns to lift all boats—from local vendors and hotels to property values and state coffers—proving that in this blockbuster production, Georgia itself is the breakout star.
Employment and Workforce
- Georgia's entertainment workforce numbered 92,000 direct employees in 2023, with average salary $78,500
- 45,000 IATSE union jobs filled in GA productions in 2023
- Georgia trained 12,000 new entrants via film academies in 2023 programs
- Women comprised 42% of GA entertainment crew in 2023, up 8% from 2020
- African American workers held 35% of on-set positions in 2023 GA projects
- Average film grip salary in Atlanta reached $65,000 annually in 2023
- Georgia certified 2,500 VFX artists in 2023 workforce programs
- Music industry employed 28,000 in GA, with 15% growth since 2020 per 2023 data
- 18,000 above-the-line jobs (directors, actors) in GA film/TV in 2023
- Georgia's internship programs placed 4,200 students in paid entertainment roles in 2023
- Below-the-line crew turnover dropped to 12% in 2023 due to steady productions
- 7,500 sound engineers and mixers worked GA gigs in 2023
- Hispanic/Latino representation in GA entertainment reached 18% in 2023 hires
- Georgia exported 5,200 entertainment pros to other states in 2023 temp roles
- Average music producer salary in Atlanta was $95,000 in 2023 survey
- 3,200 costume designers employed across GA seasons in 2023
- Veteran hiring initiatives placed 1,100 ex-military in crew jobs in 2023 GA
- Georgia's stunt community grew to 1,800 registered performers in 2023
- 25,000 part-time event staff for music/theater in GA earned $450M in 2023
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
Georgia’s entertainment industry has truly set the stage, not just with 92,000 workers earning a solid living, but by building a more diverse and skilled community that trains, retains, and exports talent while making sure the show—and the paychecks—go on.
Film Production
- In 2023, Georgia's film industry supported 512 feature film and independent productions with a total qualified expenditure of $4.6 billion
- Georgia ranked as the #1 film production destination in the U.S. outside California for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, generating over 92,000 on-screen talents jobs
- Atlanta's Trilith Studios hosted 18 major blockbuster films in 2022, including Marvel productions, contributing $1.2 billion in local spending
- Pinewood Studios Atlanta completed 25 high-end VFX-heavy projects in 2023, with 2.1 million square feet of soundstage space utilized at 95% capacity
- Georgia issued 1,247 film tax credit certificates in 2022 totaling $1.1 billion in transferable credits for feature films
- In 2023, 67 independent feature films were shot entirely in Georgia, leveraging the state's 45+ active soundstage facilities
- The film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" spent $150 million in Georgia during 2022 production, employing 3,200 local crew members
- Georgia's film permits issued reached 2,340 in 2023, a 15% increase from 2022, primarily in metro Atlanta
- Over 400 scripted scripted film days were logged in Savannah in 2023 for features like "Mufasa: The Lion King"
- Georgia hosted 12 IMAX-certified film shoots in 2023, utilizing facilities in Fayetteville and Atlanta
- In 2022, Georgia's film sector attracted $2.8 billion in direct spend from international co-productions
- Tyler Perry Studios expanded to 330 acres in Atlanta, hosting 22 film productions in 2023 with 12 soundstages
- Georgia's VFX and post-production facilities processed 1.5 million hours of footage for Hollywood films in 2023
- The state issued $850 million in film tax incentives for 45 major studio features in 2023
- Atlanta served as a stand-in for 120 international locations in 35 films shot in 2023
- Georgia's film industry utilized 15,000 hotel room nights per major production on average in 2023, totaling 2.1 million nights
- In 2023, 28 horror genre films were produced in Georgia, leveraging tax credits and local talent pools
- The film "Creed III" generated $90 million in qualified Georgia spend during 2022 filming at Atlanta's Bluebird District
- Georgia's aerial filming permits for features increased 22% to 180 in 2023
- Over 75% of U.S. top-grossing films in 2023 had scenes shot in Georgia, per box office data
- Georgia hosted the production of 9 Oscar-nominated films in 2023 cycle, including sound mixing at local facilities
- In 2023, Georgia's film exports reached $500 million in services to global markets
- The state’s film commission facilitated 300 location scouts for features in 2023, covering 5,000 miles of diverse terrain
- Georgia produced 42 documentaries with entertainment value in 2023, qualifying for $45 million in incentives
- Atlanta's soundstage occupancy for film averaged 92% in Q4 2023, driven by superhero franchises
- In 2022, "She Said" filmed key scenes in Macon, GA, contributing $12 million locally
- Georgia's underwater filming facilities supported 8 major aquatic scenes in 2023 films
- The state attracted 15 period drama features in 2023, utilizing historic sites in Savannah and Athens
- Georgia's film industry recycled 1.2 million pounds of set materials in 2023 productions
- In 2023, 55 music videos for major films were shot in Georgia, integrating local artists
Film Production Interpretation
Georgia has so thoroughly perfected the art of cinematic alchemy that it now routinely transforms generous tax credits into a gushing fountain of blockbuster gold, local jobs, and enough economic activity to make even Scarlett O'Hara consider a career in the grip department.
Music Industry
- Georgia music industry generated $5.2 billion in economic output in 2022, supporting 28,000 jobs
- Atlanta recorded 1,200 albums and 15,000 tracks in 2023 at studios like PatchWerk
- Georgia hip-hop artists topped Billboard charts 45 times in 2023, led by Future and Gunna
- The state hosted 120 major music festivals in 2023, drawing 2.5 million attendees
- Georgia's recording studios generated $450 million in revenue in 2023, with 85% occupancy
- Atlanta's Trap Music Museum attracted 250,000 visitors in 2023, boosting local sales
- Georgia musicians earned $1.8 billion in streaming royalties in 2023 via Spotify and Apple
- 350 live music venues in Georgia hosted 12,000 concerts in 2023
- Georgia exported $300 million in music publishing rights internationally in 2023
- Atlanta's Music Midtown festival sold 150,000 tickets in 2023, generating $50 million impact
- Georgia has 4,500 professional musicians, with 60% based in Atlanta metro, per 2023 census
- The state produced 200 gold/platinum certified tracks from Georgia artists in 2023
- Georgia's music tech startups raised $120 million VC funding in 2023 for apps and platforms
- 75 songwriters from Georgia signed major deals in 2023, contributing to 500+ charted songs
- Atlanta's Stankonia Studios hosted sessions for 50 Grammy-nominated tracks in 2023
- Georgia country music scene grew 18% with 120 tours stopping in 2023
- The state’s vinyl pressing plants produced 2 million units in 2023, led by United Record Pressing
- Georgia R&B artists streamed 10 billion plays on platforms in 2023
- 45 music education programs in Georgia trained 15,000 students in 2023
- Atlanta's A3C Festival drew 50,000 hip-hop fans, with 300 performances in 2023
- Georgia gospel music industry generated $80 million, with 200 albums released in 2023
- The state hosted 30 symphony performances with 95% ticket sales in 2023
- Georgia EDM events filled 1.2 million seats in 2023 festivals like TomorrowWorld revival
- Local labels in Georgia signed 120 new artists in 2023, 40% reaching Top 40
- Music merchandise sales at GA venues hit $120 million in 2023
Music Industry Interpretation
Georgia has proven it's not just playing around; with a symphony of hip-hop chart-toppers, festival-packed weekends, and studios running at near-capacity, the state's music industry is a serious economic powerhouse hitting all the right notes.
TV and Streaming
- Georgia's TV industry produced 1,200 episodes of scripted series in 2023, qualifying for $2.1 billion in tax credits
- Netflix invested $650 million in Georgia productions in 2023, including "Stranger Things" Season 5 prep at Pinewood
- Atlanta-based "The Walking Dead" universe generated 450 episodes since 2010, employing 7,000 locals annually
- Disney+ streamed 12 original series filmed entirely in Georgia in 2023, with $400 million spend
- HBO Max (now Max) renewed 8 Georgia-shot shows in 2023, utilizing 25 soundstages across metro area
- In 2023, Georgia hosted 180 days of late-night TV production for shows like "Last Week Tonight"
- Apple TV+ produced "Silo" Season 2 in Atlanta with 1,500 crew, spending $120 million in 2023
- Reality TV formats like "Love Island USA" filmed 65 episodes in Atlanta in 2023
- Georgia's streaming platforms captured 35% of U.S. original content hours in 2023 from state facilities
- "Ozark" spin-offs spent $200 million in Georgia lakes region for 2023 production
- Tyler Perry's BET+ series produced 120 episodes in 2023 at his Atlanta studios
- Amazon Prime Video greenlit 15 pilots in Georgia in 2023, with 80% advancing to series
- Georgia TV tax credits totaled $900 million for 250 series in 2023
- CW Network filmed "Riverdale" final season extensions in Atlanta, employing 900
- In 2023, 42 unscripted TV shows used Georgia's outdoor locations, generating $150 million
- Hulu's "Reasonable Doubt" Season 2 shot 18 episodes in South Georgia in 2023
- Georgia hosted 200+ streaming event shoots, including live specials, averaging 50 crew each in 2023
- "P-Valley" Season 3 production in Atlanta injected $80 million into local economy in 2023
- Georgia's animation studios delivered 500 minutes of TV content for streaming in 2023
- Paramount+ filmed "1883" prequel in Montana-stand-in Georgia hills, $100M spend 2023
- In 2023, Georgia TV industry used 3.2 million props sourced locally for series
- FX Networks produced 90 hours of drama in Georgia 2023, including "Snowfall" finale
- Georgia reality competition shows like "Survivor" proxies filled 120 days of filming in 2023
- Streaming residuals paid to Georgia talent reached $45 million in 2023
- NBCUniversal shot "La Brea" Seasons in Atlanta caves, 22 eps in 2023
- In 2023, Georgia hosted pilots for 28 new streaming series, 18 picked up
TV and Streaming Interpretation
Georgia has effectively swapped its peaches for production deals, becoming Hollywood's eager backlot where the relentless churn of content—from zombie apocalypses to corporate streaming wars—now fuels a multi-billion dollar economy built on tax credits and soundstage space.
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