Toccoa-Stephens County is Camera Ready!

Press Release: Toccoa-Stephens County More Ready Than Ever for Film, TV Productions

The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office will host the designation ceremony for Georgia’s newest Camera Ready Communities on Monday, March 21st at the State Capitol. Governor Nathan Deal will designate 73 Georgia counties Camera Ready at 10am.

Being named Camera Ready means T-SC has in place a program that provides film and television production companies with easier, faster and better access to local resources and location information. As the Camera Ready liaison for our community, the T-SC Chamber of Commerce is the primary local contact for production companies and will partner with Toccoa Mainstreet and the Development Authority to identify local resources, from locations and hotels to businesses, such as caterers and dry cleaners.

2009 was a banner year for filming in Georgia, with more than 348 productions bringing an estimated $770 million to our state’s economy, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Georgia-lensed movies "Zombieland" and "The Blind Side" both opened at No. 1 at the box office. In 2009, productions were shot in 50 counties in Georgia, impacting local communities like ours throughout the state.

As many communities have also experienced, films and television programs can drive increased tourism inspired by the success of the local production. For example, the church built as a set for the Disney project “The Last Song” is now an event facility in Tybee Island. And the Whistle Stop Café from “Fried Green Tomatoes” put Juliette on the map.

Producers love Georgia for our diverse settings, tax incentives and talented workforce. Today, more than 25,000 Georgians are employed in the entertainment industry, and numbers are only expected to grow. The local economic impact from productions can be significant, including hiring of local residents, hotel stays and purchases of goods and services.

But while Georgia has done an effective job selling itself to production companies, other states have also worked hard to lure films and television programs. Camera Ready will help to ensure we can stay ahead of the competition by meeting the very specific local needs production companies have.

There are a wealth of locations, talent and assets in our community and in our state that production companies can use to everyone’s advantage. Camera Ready is one more way we’re making sure they do.