The ever-growing Georgia film industry could be under threat, due to recent online protests to “Boycott Georgia.” Many Hollywood names took to social media following the midterm elections, condemning any future business in the state after Gov. Brian Kemp took the victory against Stacey Abrams.
The trend can be traced to HBO executive producer for “Veep” and “Succession”, Frank Rich.
“If Kemp wins in Georgia, Hollywood should put its money where its mouth is and pull all production out of the state,” Rich said in response to a tweet about Kemp’s use of robocalls that claimed Abrams wanted to steal the election with undocumented votes.
Following this, a dialogue between Abrams and Rich began on the impact of a boycott.
“The Georgians who make a living and take care of their families through entertainment are not to blame for the gross mismanagement of our democracy here in Georgia,” Abrams said in reply.
Some students agree with Abrams sentiment; just because people aren’t happy with Georgia politics, a boycott will hurt those just trying to pay their bills the most.
“As much as I believe a lot of people despise Kemp and didn’t want him as governor, why make the whole industry in a state suffer?” student Drenay Dreanna said.
Although Rich was one of the first to call for a boycott, other stars chimed in as well.
“Is the entertainment industry willing to support the economy of a totally corrupt state that suppresses democracy; where the winner isn’t the best choice for the people but the best schemer or crook?” actress and liberal activist Alyssa Milano said.
Ron Pearlman, who is featured in the film “Hellboy” and TV show “Sons of Anarchy,” refuses to participate in any future production in the state and even furthermore, refuses to work with anyone who does.
“To all my friends who are studio and network executives if you choose to shoot movies and TV in Georgia, don’t bother to call me,” Pearlman said.
Pulling production out of Georgia certainly would hurt the economy, as the industry has generated $9.5 billion a year for the state.
But these benefits extend beyond the government — Georgia residents see the profit as well. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, the Georgia industry includes 92,494 jobs and $2.15 billion in wages.
The industry is growing each year; in 2017, there were 65 films produced in Georgia, up by 14 films from the previous year and 83 TV series, up by 16 series.
The boom is contributed by many to the state’s generous incentives including the film tax credit, The Georgia Entertainment and Industry Investment Act.
The Fiscal Research Center at Georgia State found $228 million in tax incentives used for tax year 2013. The study concludes that this is one of the more competitive and giving incentives, especially in the Southeast.
During the campaign, Kemp said he would preserve the film tax incentive as governor and keep Georgia the top filming location in the country.
Following the growth of Boycott Georgia online, 11Alive reports that Kemp was preparing with his transition team to move into the governor’s office when he said he would continue toward the claims made during the campaign.
“I’m not worried about what some activists from Hollywood are saying about the elections process in Georgia,” Kemp said.
However, this isn’t the first time the Georgia film industry has been threatened because of political action.
When the religious liberty bill made its way to Gov. Deal’s desk in May of 2016, many film leaders threatened to pull production out of the state if signed. Critics of the bill said that it would virtually allow discrimination of LGBT people based on religious beliefs, a state version of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Kemp has also vowed to sign a religious liberty bill during his campaign, should one come to his desk. Although, he has walked back exactly what he would sign as well.
“Boycott won’t be a problem until Georgia decides to sign a ‘religious freedom’ bill into law,” student Rashard Leonard said. “Kemp plans on signing a religious freedom bill. Thus the pre-emptive boycott.”
With the growing industry, many students have taken to pursuing a career in the field and Georgia State’s School of Film, Media and Theatre hopes to prepare them just for that.
Philip Lewis, associate director of the school, commented that they have been teaching on the industry long before any Georgia incentives were set in place.
“I don’t believe the boycott will have any real teeth in removing the industry from here,” Lewis said. “I believe only the new policies of the new governorship can motivate people to ‘stay calm and keep making movies,’ or make them ‘question the state of Georgia’s dedication’ to keeping this clean, high-profile and lucrative industry here at home.”
Lewis said that even if the boycott takes hold of the Georgia industry, the industry will still exist.
“If the movement has any impact on the Georgia industry and the industry fails or waivers here, it must move to another place,” Lewis said. “The jobs don’t disappear.”
Lewis said politics can play a role in a producers decision on where to film.
“What I would like to see is the governor publicly assure the industry and the people of Georgia that $9 billion a year is more important than petty politics,” he said.
While the incentives are important, Lewis sees one key necessity for the Georgia industry moving forward.
“If we want to sustain this industry in Georgia in the long run, we need to build local infrastructure that supports local industry and allows local filmmakers to make their films here at home,” Lewis said.
