As Georgia officially passes the “hidden gem” stage when it comes to the film and television industry, more studios are getting in the game. While cinematic touchstones like 1972’s “Deliverance” and 1991’s “Fried Green Tomatoes” put Georgia on the big screen, the state’s film industry skyrocketed in recent years, cementing itself as a primary filming location with blockbuster hits like “Avengers: Endgame” and record-busting shows like “Stranger Things.”

And while COVID-19 brought the industry to a standstill in 2020, it’s now rebounding in a spectacular fashion. During fiscal year 2022, 412 film and television projects were produced in Georgia spending a record $4.4 billion in the state.

Those huge numbers are a testament to Georgia’s status as a prime spot for movie makers and television producers to craft their content. From an experienced crew base and diverse locations to tax incentives and robust transportation infrastructure, Georgia has what film and television need.

Georgia is also prioritizing one asset film crews are always looking for more of: studio space. From Trilith Studios in Fayette County to Cinelease Studios-Three Ring in Covington, the state is working hard to bring studio capacity up to meet demand.

The state currently has 4 million square feet of sound stage space, but it isn’t enough, according to film experts.

Visionaries like Atlanta-based Gray Television, for example, are working to fill the gap. The company is currently building new state-of-the-art studio facilities among the amenities at its 135-acre, mixed-use complex in Doraville called Assembly Atlanta. The development is located at the former site of the General Motors Assembly Plant and its signature feature, Assembly Studios, will include everything that television and film productions could need, including soundstages, production offices, and warehouses.

Assembly Studios is being leased to NBCUniversal and is being built adjacent to Third Rail Studios, another movie and television production facility that opened in 2016 and was recently acquired by Gray.

With an anticipated opening date of 2023, Assembly Studios is expected to create thousands of jobs and take advantage of local talent and resources. When Assembly Studios and Third Rail Studios are fully operational, over 4,000 people are expected to be employed, with thousands of additional new jobs generated within the community.

Georgians are ready to be put to work in these high-demand fields in part due to resources like the Georgia Film Academy, which produces skilled workers who are not only ready to dive into the film industry immediately after certification, but are more likely to remain in the state for their careers. Tens of thousands of people are currently employed in film production in Georgia.

Want to learn more about this transformative project? Starting August 8, Grays Television’s “Why Georgia?” series will walk viewers through the details of the under-construction studio space at Assembly Atlanta and what it will mean for Georgia’s booming film industry. Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the site as it progresses and provide insight on the TV and film industry’s growth trajectory in Georgia. Atlanta news station CBS46 will also be airing special segments through the week with interviews and more, highlighting television and film’s “big boom” in Georgia. You won’t want to miss it!

Learn about the site here and catch up on the series on the Gray Television YouTube channel.

In the meantime, keep up with all things film in Georgia through resources provided by the Georgia Film Office:

• For some of the more than 30 productions currently filming in Georgia, visit “Now Filming in Georgia.”

• For a list of Georgia-lensed productions currently in theaters, streaming online, or set to premiere, visit “Release Dates for Georgia-Lensed Productions.”

• Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and view our behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube.