The Georgia film and television industry is a large and prosperous entity, earning $5.1 billion this fiscal year. Georgia attracts film companies for reasons ranging from its varied geography to its tax incentives for film and television productions. Most recently, Georgia has been used as the filming location for scenes in movies such as the “Hunger Games” franchise and “Selma.” 

As a result, there is a demand for a workforce with the skills necessary to support these endeavors, but production companies that shoot in Georgia say they often struggle to find the workers they need.

One measure that is being taken to meet this need is the establishment of the Georgia Film Academy. In January, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that a portion of the 2015 state budget would fund the new initiative, which is expected to launch this fall as a collaborative effort between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia.

A new effort at Georgia Southwestern State University is also preparing students for careers in the film industry.

The Department of Theater, Communication and Media Arts is now giving students the opportunity to experience the process of creating a movie, as it is currently shooting the department’s first major feature film.

The film, entitled “Which Way There,” is being directed by Joey Watson, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication and media arts at Georgia Southwestern. The lead role is being played by Natalie Donner, an Atlanta-based actress. Joanna Miller, a writer from Los Angeles, co-wrote the screenplay with Watson. Both Donner and Miller are former students of Watson.

Many of Watson’s current students at GSW are working as cast and crew members, filling roles like assistant director and production coordinator.

“I have learned so much about myself and the whole process of film making by being the production coordinator,” said Anna Hall, a sophomore dramatic arts major from Buena Vista, Ga. “It's really shown me that to be successful in the industry you have to be organized, know how to manage your time and be able to get things done under stress.”

Watson started the production company Old School Pictures in 2001 that works in Memphis, Los Angeles, Baton Rouge and Dallas. At the Memphis Indie Festival, he won Best Narrative Feature in 2002 and 2005. He has also had the opportunity to work on large-budget feature films such as “The Expendables” and “The Firm.”

He hopes to give his students the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the film industry.

“As Georgia film production continues to boom, it has never been more imperative to support and sustain programs like this one that offer these unique experiences to our students,” said Watson. “It prepares them for an industry that we want to keep here – one way to ensure that is to properly train students for success.”

The production was aided by collaboration from the GSW School of Nursing, where the simulation lab was used to shoot hospital scenes and by several local businesses. Perry Brothers Oil Co., the Windsor Hotel, the Rylander Theater and the Sumter Historic Trust all allowed the film to shoot on their properties.

“It was truly magical to get that kind of collaborative support from within GSW as well as the city of Americus,” said Watson. “Honestly, it has to function like that – a community must rally behind projects like this that are locally based in order for them to happen because, at the end of the day, the project will represent our city and university.”

Shooting for the film began in November and picked up again at the end of February. Filming wraps next week.

For more information on the film or information on participating as a background worker or extra, contact Joey Watson at [email protected].