Georgia On My Mind: A Runner-Up Hub in the Film Production Industry

The future is bright for Metro Atlanta as the entertainment business and its paralleled technology continue to grow; placing the state of Georgia from third runner-up to the number one leading production hub in the United States. The state’s ability to outshine both California and New York (who held the top two spots in showbiz until 2016) is all in thanks to The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act and its Georgia Film, Television, and Digital Entertainment Tax Credit.

The rise to number one began in 1954 when the once the sleepy, farmstead town of Covington, GA embraced the invasion of the California film industry and has since transformed into the infamous “Hollywood of the South”. Within the last decade, movies such as The Accountant, Halloween II, Footloose, as well as the hit television series The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries, have collectively put Covington on the map. Located just 35 miles east of Atlanta, the small town has steadily worked on creating a one-stop-shop for entertainment production crews within the music, film, and video game industries.

Three Ring Studios, which broke ground in January, already overshadows its competition against other major Georgia studios like Tyler Perry and Pinewood in both size and novelty. So, what makes Three Ring Studios stand out among the rest of Y’allywood? The excitement goes beyond square footage and lies within the development of a mixed-use space with a multitude of unique facilities and amenities. Rahim Charania, president of Three Ring Studios, told Covington’s Newton County Chamber of Commerce that the studio will ultimately consist of three campuses that will include sound stages, loading docks, office space, as well as tenant space. Most important of all, Three Rings Studios will provide the means to educate and train the next generation of film leaders by creating a mass amount of new jobs, both entry-level and senior specialist, and partnering with schools to offer classes for students. Charania also proudly noted that this new studio will host Georgia’s first fully operational post-production and game development campus.

Much to the citizens of Covington’s luck, this isn’t just another bubble fad that will burst within the next few years. Aside from the never-ending hustle and bustle of Hollywood, the state of Georgia still offers production companies a better tax incentive than any other state. As part of the Georgia Film, Television, and Digital Entertainment Act companies who produce music videos, commercials, interactive games like virtual reality, television shows, and movies in the state of Georgia can receive a tax credit of up to 30%. The details of the Act affirm a company may receive 20% of the credit for having a minimum budget of $500,000 and the remaining 10% is available if the finished project includes a promotional logo provided by the state. If a company has little or no Georgia tax liability, it can even transfer or sell its tax credits. For more information on production incentives in Georgia’s film, music and digital entertainment industries, visit the

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