Atlanta's Film Industry Struggles: Workers' Stories

0:00Durham's story is making news on March 12, Atlanta's film industry, once booming as the Hollywood of the South, has hit hard times, leaving many workers like digital imaging technician Chris, Ratlage and tough spots. He used to earn up to $9,500 a week on big productions, but now the 48-year-old is on food stamps after just four days of set works since May of last year. The boom peaked with $4.4 billion in spending back in 2022, fueled by generous tax credits that Drew shows like, Stranger Things and Marble Movies. But productions dropped to $245 last year, with spending falling to $2.3 billion amid the riders and actors. Strikes plus COVID recovery issues. Workers are feeling the pinch deeply. Ratlage now makes $15 an hour at a tennis center, while his wife cleans houses and their family of four struggles to cover $2,000. Dollars a month in rent. Location scouts and others face long gaps between jobs, dipping into savings just to

1:02give buy. Studios like Shadowbox are pushing back by training new crew members for free, teaching basics like call sheets and long shifts to keep local talent, sharp. They're pitching spaces to indie filmmakers and even esports groups to fill empty sound stages. Officials know some rebound this fiscal year, thanks to expanded tax incentives for more content types like short videos. While big players eye cheaper spots overseas or rival states, Atlanta's experienced crews and community spirit offer hope for a reset. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor, see the description. A pillow that sounds as good as it feels, built for listening and bed, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.