A big name movie company is proposing to build one of the largest film studios in Georgia. Pinewood Studios is looking at Fayette County, which could mean more movie jobs and more money to the Atlanta economy.
The studio from England has made movies in the popular "Harry Potter" and "James Bond" franchises.
At the Screen Gems Studios in southeast Atlanta, Kris Bagwell said that when movie companies build buildings, it means that filmmaking is here in Georgia to stay.
"We're thrilled that there's more infrastructure coming into Atlanta, because the more investment that we get in the ground here, the more real the whole movie business is here and it employs a lot of people, and this is a huge industry for Georgia now," Bagwell said.
Along with creating jobs, the film industry pumps money into the economy. Fayette County Commissioner Steve Brown says he's seen it his community, with neighboring Raleigh Riverwood Studios.
"It is a huge boom, not just for Fayette County, but for the southern crescent, south metro region and for the entire Atlanta region as a whole," said Brown.
Scott Tigchelaar, the president of Raleigh Riverwood Studios, said he would welcome a studio competitor in the area.
"I think it's good for everybody in the state of Georgia. You know, they passed the tax incentive that was supposed to bring the industry here and this is just evidence of a marquee name, Pinewood Studios, coming to Georgia and setting up," said Tigchelaar.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/Xp1kYw) that the studio is set to open next year with five sound stages on 288 acres in Fayette County, just south of Atlanta.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Photo courtesy of Pinewood Studios Group
