The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum has announced an upcoming exhibition celebrating the ever-growing Georgia film and entertainment industry, also known as ATLwood. Georgia's tax breaks have made it the third largest filming location in the U.S., behind only New York and California. The state has invested a lot in building up an infrastructure to invite more and even bigger productions to the scene, including the massive Pinewood Studios south of the city that's home to some of Marvel's blockbuster films.
But two of the productions that have had the biggest impact on the Georgia film scene are The Walking Dead and Stranger Things, both of which will be featured in the exhibition called "Georgia on My Screen: Jimmy Carter and the Rise of the Film Industry." As the press release explains, "Beginning with then-Governor Jimmy Carter’s creation of the first state film office, the exhibition traces the development and impact of a multibillion-dollar industry in the state." It continues,
"Created with the generous support of the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, major production studios, local film offices and museums, the exhibition includes artifacts from over 60 productions, filmed over the last 46 years in Georgia, including critically-acclaimed films, blockbuster movies, and major television series."
A few highlights of the exhibition include:
- The Best Picture Oscar for Driving Miss Daisy
- More than twenty objects from AMC’s hit TV show The Walking Dead, including Negan’s bat, “Lucille” and Daryl’s motorcycles
- A white oak stake from the Warner Bros. vampire series The Originals-- the only weapon on Earth that can kill an Original vampire
- Iconic costumes and artifacts from Netflix’s Stranger Things, including Eleven’s dress and Chief Hopper’s uniform
- Vinny’s boots and Mona Lisa’s dress from the 20th Century Fox film, My Cousin Vinny (1992)
- Denzel Washington’s coaching uniform from Walt Disney Picture’s film, Remember the Titans (2000)
Throughout the exhibition there will also be a host of related events, including lectures and talks, screenings, and family-day events, all of which can be tracked via the Jimmy Carter Library's events page, as well as their Facebook and Twitter. (Of note, if you haven't been before, the Library has a gorgeous view of downtown Atlanta).
Yours truly will be hosting one of those panels in the upcoming months, which will focus on women in film, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how this local film industry runs through the women who make it all happen. From crew members to producers, the panels should be really interesting and informative discussions that explore the many, many different TV shows and movies that call Georgia home.
"Georgia on My Screen" will open May 3rd and be on display through the end of the year.
