What makes
Filming in the South Ideal
COME ON DOWN! How our state and local governments are working to make this area more appealing to the movie biz. States all over the country are realizing there is big money in the film industry. Not only do these films create thousands of jobs, but they also stir up the economy. Georgia jumped on the film bandwagon early and is already starting to reap in the benefits. Major production studios are popping up within our state lines, big time films are slated for the next few years, and more productions were completed in Georgia in the past year than California! Our state is quickly becoming Hollywood South because of the amazing tax incentives our government has implemented to entice production companies to want to film in Georgia. The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office offers Georgia production incentives up to 30 percent of a project’s production expenditures in transferable tax credits. The program is available for qualifying projects, including feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, animation and game development. GEORGIA TAX INCENTIVE HIGHLIGHTS:
> 20 percent base transferable
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tax credit > 10 percent Georgia Entertainment Promotion with inclusion of Georgia logo on approved projects > $500,000 minimum spent to qualify > No limits or caps on Georgia spend, no sunset clause > Both resident and non-resident workers’ payrolls and FICA, SUI, FUI qualify > No salary cap on individuals paid by 1099, personal service contract or loan out > Travel and insurance qualify if purchased through a Georgia agency or company > Original music scoring for projects produced in Georgia qualify > Post production of filmed-inGeorgia movies and television projects qualify Now that the production companies are looking at Georgia, Savannah wants those companies to settle themselves in the Hostess City. And why not? You can film virtually any scene here from ocean and jungle to city and farms. Our area has a plethora of backgrounds that are appealing to any possible genre. So, in order to pull those moviemakers down our way, Film Savannah offers production incentives on top of the already lucrative deal that the state offers. These incentives include: > Cash rebates for feature films and televisions series for qualified productions. > Relocation expenses reimbursement of up to $2,000 per household for qualified moving expenses for approved applicants. With these offers, it’s no wonder more and more movies are coming to the Savannah area. They’d be losing money if they went anywhere else! For more information about how our state and local governments are working to bring production to the area, visit savannahfilm.org.
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5 Tips from Devious Maids'
Officer Carter
Rivers as Officer Carter on Devious Maids.
JERMAINE RIVERS LIVES IN SAVANNAH AND HAS BEEN WORKING AS A FULL-TIME ACTOR FOR THREE YEARS. WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM FOR A LITTLE INSIGHT ON HIS STEADY CLIMB TO THE TOP.
SOME OF THE CELEBRITIES HE'S WORKED WITH:
Going from the military to the big screen doesn’t seem like a natural transition, but for Jermaine Rivers, there was no better fit. “The military taught me to train and prepare for any situation, and that’s what you have to do if you want to make it as an actor. You have to train not so you get it right, but so you don’t get it wrong.” We believe in his intensity and his work ethic, I mean how else would he be booking recurring roles on shows like Devious Maids and working with the likes of Tyler Perry? After sitting down with Rivers, we learned some more insight on how to make a living as an actor. Here are his five tips for holding your own in an industry known for being cutthroat: 1. Figure out your brand. “Knowing what you bring to the game is important.”
ROSELYN SANCHEZ
DANNY GLOVER
2. It’s just a business. “You’ve got to be willing to sell them. Figure out what problem they have and let them know you can fix it.” 3. Train. Train. Train. “Constantly educate yourself. You’ve got to train so you’re ready for anything they might throw at you.” 4. Know Your Support. “Support is important in this industry. You’ve got to know where to look for it and know your expectations of it. Build relationships with the right people, separate yourself from negative energy, and don’t ask permission to do what you love.” 5. Be a good person. “You’d be surprised how far just being nice and genuine will get you in this industry. People don’t like to work with people with bad attitudes. How you make someone feel when you enter and exit a room says a lot about your character. Go out of your way to be good and genuine and you’ll get love in return.”
RICHARD DREYFUS
CHANNING TATUM
TIM MATHESON