Everything your production needs to know before rolling camera in Atlanta — permits, locations, the film tax credit, unions, craft services, and more.
Get Craft Services for Your Shoot →Georgia has become the undisputed capital of American film and television production. What started as a trickle of runaway productions in the early 2000s has grown into a full-scale industry ecosystem — one that rivals Hollywood in output and surpasses it in cost efficiency.
The combination of a generous tax incentive, a mild climate, diverse locations, a deep local crew base, and world-class studio infrastructure has made Atlanta the go-to destination for major studio tentpoles, streaming originals, and independent features alike.
A production that spends $10 million in Georgia can receive up to $3 million back in tax credits — money that goes directly back into the budget or the studio's bottom line.
The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act (O.C.G.A. § 48-7-40.26) is the engine that drives the state's film industry. Understanding how it works — and how to maximize it — is essential for any production planning to shoot in Georgia.
| Credit Component | Amount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Base credit | 20% | Minimum $500,000 in qualified Georgia expenditures |
| Georgia logo bonus | +10% | Display the Georgia peach logo in the production's end credits |
| Total maximum credit | 30% | Both conditions met |
Qualified expenditures include most production costs incurred in Georgia:
Every dollar spent on craft services and production catering from a Georgia-based vendor like Atlanta Craft Services qualifies for the 30% tax credit. On a $50,000 catering budget, that's $15,000 back. Productions that understand this use it to justify premium catering — the net cost is significantly lower than it appears.
Georgia film tax credits are fully transferable. Productions without Georgia tax liability can sell their credits to Georgia businesses or individuals at a discount (typically 88–92 cents on the dollar), effectively converting the credit to cash.
Tax law changes frequently. Always consult with a Georgia entertainment attorney or CPA before making financial decisions based on the credit.
Georgia has a well-developed permitting infrastructure built specifically to accommodate film and television production. The Georgia Film Office serves as the central resource, but most permitting happens at the local level.
The Georgia Film Office (part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development) is your first call for any production in the state. They provide:
Filming in the City of Atlanta requires a permit from the Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment. Key requirements:
Each of the 159 Georgia counties has its own permitting process. The most production-active counties — Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Chatham (Savannah) — all have dedicated film offices or liaisons. Contact the county government directly for requirements.
Filming on state-owned property (state parks, DOT rights-of-way, state buildings) requires coordination through the Georgia Film Office. Lead times vary from 2 weeks to 60+ days depending on the location and complexity.
Georgia's diverse geography means you can often find a local stand-in for expensive or difficult-to-permit locations. The Film Office's location library has thousands of pre-scouted options. Many productions have doubled Georgia locations for New York, Chicago, and even international settings.
Georgia is a right-to-work state, which means union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment. However, major studio productions shooting in Georgia typically operate under IATSE agreements, and the local union presence is strong.
IATSE Local 479 is the primary below-the-line union for film and television production in Georgia. It covers most craft departments including:
Local 798 covers makeup artists and hair stylists. Local 665 covers studio mechanics and related crafts on certain productions.
Craft service is covered under IATSE agreements on union productions. The Key Crafty (Key Craft Service) is typically a union position on IATSE shows, working under the jurisdiction of Local 479 or the applicable agreement.
Atlanta Craft Services is experienced working on both union and non-union productions. We understand IATSE work rules, meal penalty requirements, and the specific needs of union crews. Our team has worked on major studio productions operating under IATSE agreements throughout our history.
SAG-AFTRA covers actors and performers. Georgia productions working under SAG-AFTRA agreements must comply with all applicable rules including meal breaks, turnaround, and working conditions. Craft service plays a direct role in SAG compliance — proper meal periods and craft service availability affect whether productions stay in compliance.
Teamsters Local 728 covers transportation on union productions — drivers, transportation coordinators, and picture cars. On large productions, the transportation department is one of the largest departments on set.
Craft service is the department responsible for keeping the crew fed and energized between meals throughout the shooting day. On a Georgia production, craft service is not an afterthought — it's a critical logistics operation that directly affects crew morale, productivity, and SAG compliance.
Atlanta Craft Services offers tiered packages designed for productions of different sizes and budgets:
Essential craft service for smaller productions and tight budgets. Core snacks, beverages, and daily setup.
Full craft service with expanded menu, specialty dietary options, and dedicated crafty cart for set.
Premium craft service with gourmet selections, full cast trailer service, welcome baskets, and dedicated Key Crafty.
The Key Craft Service person (Key Crafty) is responsible for the entire craft service operation. On union shows, this is an IATSE position. A good Key Crafty knows the crew's preferences, manages inventory efficiently, and keeps the table stocked without waste. Atlanta Craft Services provides experienced Key Crafty personnel who've worked on major productions throughout Georgia.
For productions shooting on location away from base camp, a mobile craft service trailer is often the most efficient solution. Atlanta Craft Services operates a fully equipped mobile trailer that can be deployed to any Georgia location, providing a self-contained craft service operation with refrigeration, storage, and prep space.
Production catering — the formal meals served to cast and crew during the shooting day — is one of the most important logistics elements of any production. In Georgia, the combination of local culinary talent, fresh regional ingredients, and competitive pricing makes production catering a genuine advantage.
Under SAG-AFTRA and IATSE agreements, productions must provide:
A full catering operation with a dedicated catering truck, chef, and service staff. Meals are prepared fresh on location and served hot. This is the standard for major productions and provides the highest quality and flexibility.
Pre-prepared meals delivered to set at a specified time. Lower cost than full-service catering, appropriate for smaller productions or specific shooting days. Atlanta Craft Services offers drop catering throughout the Atlanta metro area.
A food truck deployed as the production caterer. Increasingly popular for mid-size productions, offering a more casual atmosphere and often higher crew satisfaction. Atlanta Craft Services operates food truck catering for film and TV productions.
Georgia's agricultural bounty — peaches, Vidalia onions, pecans, peanuts, fresh seafood from the coast, and world-class BBQ traditions — gives Atlanta production caterers a genuine edge. Crews that have worked in other states consistently comment on the quality of Georgia catering.
Major productions in Georgia regularly feed crews of 200–500+ people per meal. Efficient catering logistics — truck placement, line management, dietary accommodation, and cleanup — are as important as food quality on large shows. Atlanta Craft Services has experience catering to large crews on major studio productions.
Georgia's studio infrastructure has grown dramatically over the past decade. The state now has more stage space than any location outside of Los Angeles and New York.
Located in Fayetteville, GA (30 miles south of Atlanta), Trilith is one of the largest purpose-built film studios in the world. With over 700,000 square feet of stage space across 18 stages, it has hosted Marvel productions, major studio tentpoles, and prestige television. The adjacent Trilith community provides housing and amenities for long-running productions.
Situated on the former Fort McPherson military base in southwest Atlanta, Tyler Perry Studios spans 330 acres with 12 sound stages. The facility is primarily used for Tyler Perry's own productions but also rents to outside productions.
Located in Norcross, GA, Eagle Rock offers multiple stages and production support facilities. Popular with television productions and commercials.
Based in Doraville, GA on the former General Motors plant site, Third Rail offers large stages and extensive backlot space. The facility has hosted major productions and is known for its flexibility.
Beyond the major studios, Georgia has dozens of smaller stage facilities, warehouse conversions, and production-friendly spaces throughout the metro area and across the state. The Georgia Film Office maintains a comprehensive database of available facilities.
Georgia's geographic diversity is one of its greatest assets for production. Within a few hours of Atlanta, you can find virtually any environment a script might call for.
Urban streetscapes, modern architecture, and iconic landmarks. Has doubled for New York, Chicago, and generic "American city" in hundreds of productions.
Historic squares, antebellum architecture, and Spanish moss. One of the most filmed cities in the South. Savannah Film Office is highly production-friendly.
Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and the Appalachian foothills. Waterfalls, forests, and rural Americana. Popular for period pieces and outdoor adventure stories.
Jekyll Island, St. Simons, Cumberland Island. Pristine beaches, salt marshes, and historic sites. Unique coastal environments unavailable elsewhere in the Southeast.
Madison, Senoia (The Walking Dead's home base), Newnan, and dozens of other towns offer authentic small-town Americana with cooperative local governments.
Atlanta's industrial corridors, former factories, and warehouse districts provide gritty urban environments popular for action sequences and period settings.
Georgia's climate is one of its production advantages — mild winters allow year-round exterior shooting, and the state's four distinct seasons provide visual variety for productions that need it.
Ideal shooting conditions. Mild temperatures (55–75°F), blooming dogwoods and azaleas, and long days. The most popular season for exterior production. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible but typically brief.
Hot and humid, with temperatures regularly reaching 90–95°F. Heat management becomes a significant production concern — craft service and catering play a critical role in keeping crews hydrated and energized. Early morning calls are common to beat the heat. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent.
In Georgia summers, craft service must prioritize hydration. Atlanta Craft Services provides enhanced beverage service, electrolyte drinks, cooling foods, and shade-appropriate setup for summer productions. Heat-related illness is a real risk on Georgia summer shoots — proper craft service is a safety issue, not just a comfort one.
Excellent shooting conditions return. Temperatures moderate (60–80°F), foliage color in north Georgia peaks in October–November, and the light quality is exceptional. One of the best seasons for Georgia production.
Mild by national standards (40–60°F), but Georgia winters can occasionally bring ice storms that shut down production. Snow is rare in Atlanta but possible. The mild climate makes Georgia viable for winter production when other locations are frozen.
Atlanta's production infrastructure extends well beyond the studio gates. The city has developed a robust ecosystem of production-friendly housing, transportation, and support services.
Long-running productions (series, multi-month features) typically establish housing blocks at hotels near the primary studio or shooting location. Key considerations:
Atlanta is a car-dependent city. Productions should plan for:
Georgia's production ecosystem includes virtually every support service a production might need:
Georgia's local crew base has grown dramatically over the past two decades. What was once a thin talent pool requiring significant fly-in crew from LA and New York is now a deep, experienced workforce capable of staffing major productions at every level.
Productions must balance the cost savings of hiring local (no travel, housing, or per diem) against the specific experience requirements of key positions. The general rule: hire local wherever possible, fly in only for positions where specific experience or relationships are essential.
Beyond the direct cost savings, local hires bring knowledge of Georgia-specific logistics, vendor relationships, and location familiarity that fly-in crew simply don't have. A local Key Grip who's worked at Trilith for five years knows the facility in ways that save time and money every day.
Use this checklist to ensure your production is set up for success before cameras roll in Georgia.
One of the first calls any production should make when planning a Georgia shoot is to their craft services and catering vendor. Top vendors book out months in advance, and locking in your food service early removes one major logistics variable from your pre-production checklist.
Atlanta Craft Services has been feeding film and TV crews across Georgia since 2014. Let's talk about your next shoot.
Get a Quote →