The governor visits a Georgia studio amid a new law on abortion

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Governor Brian Kemp visited Wednesday Atlanta's cinemas to show his support for an industry facing dramatic fallout from his decision to sign the Georgian anti-abortion "heartbeat" law. The damage, however, is just beginning.

Several Hollywood personalities announced this week that they were withdrawing television and film productions that originally had to shoot here. And more and more actors, directors and producers have announced that they will not do business in Georgia if the new stringent restrictions come into effect.

The backtrack has been highlighted not only by the renowned celebrities who have displayed their disdain for the social media law, but also by the projects that have run more smoothly. Kris Bagwell, who runs EUE Screen Gems in Atlanta, said he recently lost a film on Netflix that would have created about 300 jobs.

"The passage of this law is likely to destroy much of Georgia's eleven years of goodwill with the national film and television industry," said Bagwell, who also heads Georgia Studio and Infrastructure Alliance. "Is not the first rule of job creation not to shoot at the jobs you've already created?"

The governor had originally planned to fly to Los Angeles to attend an event Wednesday in Hollywood to woo film executives, but he postponed it last week while it was all about manifestations and defections.

Instead, he privately visited the state-funded Georgia Film Academy and a neighboring studio. A few hours later, his office issued a statement touting the benefits of an industry "generating economic opportunities in every corner of our great state".

The pressure on the industry has increased since Kemp passed Bill House 481 earlier this month at a ceremony surrounding abortion rights advocates. The changes, which would ban most abortions as early as six weeks, will come into effect in January but will be the subject of a court challenge before that date.

Kemp has long claimed that he had signed the measure to keep a campaign promise and defend "Georgia's values," but he took a more confrontational tone this weekend when he said he was "out of control." is ridiculed Hollywood celebrities who have sworn to boycott Georgia by law.

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"We are the party of freedom and opportunity," Kemp said at the Georgia GOP convention in Savannah. "We value and protect innocent life – even if it creaks C-list celebrities."

"Rest and fight"

Georgia's films are fears that the flashback threatens the country as the third largest state in the US for film and television productions, behind California and New York. In 2008, the state passed generous legislation allowing film companies to obtain tax credits corresponding to 30% of their expenses.

During the 2018 fiscal year, Georgia organized 455 qualified cinema and television programs generating direct expenditures of $ 2.7 billion. While other states cap their tax credits, the amount of Georgia is unlimited. As a result, last year, the state gave more tax credits than any other state: $ 800 million.

The magnetic appeal of these incentives has led the studios to invest in an infrastructure network in Metro Atlanta, including lighting, sprawling decors, and mounting bays. The state has also helped create a Film Academy that trains hundreds of students for jobs in fields such as lighting, post-production and editing.

With every big name grooming Georgia, however, the industry grumbles. Alec Baldwin, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ben Stiller and Gabrielle Union have recently joined a long list of celebrities threatening to boycott this measure. Some producers have promised never to work in Georgia again.

And two Hollywood personalities made headlines when they announced that they were withdrawing projects from Georgia because of the law.

Director Reed Morano canceled her project to shoot her new show on Amazon Studios, "The Power", in Savannah, because, she told Time Magazine, it was "impossible for us to report our money in this state by turning there. ", said Kristen Wiig. his next Lionsgate comedy will not be shot in Georgia for the same reason.

The Georgia films, suddenly on the defensive, underline the decisions of several celebrities, including J.J. Abrams, Ron Howard and Jordan Peele remain in Georgia but will donate fees to opponents of the law.

And a "stay and fight" movement has pushed celebrities to think twice about their boycott threats, warning that leaving Georgia would devastate the tens of thousands of people working as crew members, catering workers or other roles support for the expensive productions in which this film is shot. l & # 39; state.

"It's so maddening. I do not understand why people think that uprooting an industry that employs tens of thousands of people here will probably help women in Georgia, "said state representative Teri Anulewicz, a Democrat from Smyrna who objected. to the law.

"They are extremely well-intentioned to be interested in this fight, but they are men and women who work very hard," she said. "It's their livelihood, and we can not complain about closing an entire area."

"Celebrities List C"

Some industry officials hope that the upcoming legal battle and the adoption of even stricter restrictions in Alabama will attract Georgia's attention. Moreover, they add, the existing series filmed here for years are unlikely to uproot immediately and leave the state.

This includes actress and producer Alyssa Milano, who has promised to repeatedly boycott the "heartbeat" law in Georgia – but is now filming her "Insatiable" Netflix project in the Atlanta subway because She is contractually obliged to do so.

"Many new issues have opened accounts in recent weeks," said Bob Lucas, owner of Central Atlanta Props & Sets in East Point, who added that he had not yet seen a slowdown. of his activity.

Some local filmmakers, however, fear that the damage to the state's reputation is immeasurable – and could last longer than the legal battle against the law.

"There had been some skepticism within the industry about Kemp early and rightly so," said Rhonda Baraka, a local screenwriter who directed a film produced in Atlanta that will debut on Lifetime in June.

"The bill – and the mentality that underlies it – cast a negative light on our state. It sends us a message that does not describe exactly who we are, "said Baraka. "Even if this bill is sabotaged, I do not think people will easily forget it."

Ask Kemp about the consequences, and he will answer you that he is not worried about what "someone in Hollywood thinks of me". He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week that he was not impressed by the backlash of his recent remark on "C-list celebrities".

"I'm sure people will protest. People protested during the session, "he said.

"Many of these people are the same people who worked against me in the elections. They said the same thing after my swearing. Now, they say the same thing after doing what I promised Georgians, "said Kemp. "I know they're mad at me for doing what I said I would do, but I think most Georgians appreciate that."

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