Georgia Film Jobs Vanish: From Hollywood Boom to Bust

Chris Ratledge, a digital imaging technician, has seen his income drastically reduced, falling from as much as $9,500 weekly to relying on food stamps. He moved to Atlanta in 2017, drawn by the state's lucrative film tax credits that transformed the city into a major production hub. Ratledge previously enjoyed high-paying, albeit demanding, work on numerous blockbuster films and popular series.

However, those prosperous times have ended. Since May 2024, Ratledge has only found four days of work in the film industry. His current part-time job and side hustle barely cover his family's expenses, forcing them to downsize and his wife to seek cleaning work. His deep financial distress and longing for his film career highlight the sector's sharp decline.

Georgia's film and television production spending has fallen significantly, from $4.4 billion in 2022 to $2.3 billion in the last fiscal year, with the number of productions dropping from 412 to 245. The decline was exacerbated by the 2023 writers and actors strikes and increased competition from other states offering better incentives. Productions are increasingly moving overseas, seeking more stable environments and lower costs.

This industry shift has led to a scarcity of work for local professionals. Many experienced workers are facing extended gaps between projects, forcing them to conserve resources. The relocation of major players like Marvel and streamers such as Netflix, along with other states enhancing their incentives, has created a challenging environment for Georgia's once-thriving film sector.