U.K.-based Pinewood Shepperton announced that it plans to build a state-of-the-art film and television production studio on 288 acres of land south of Atlanta, Ga. as part of a joint venture with River’s Rock, (an independently managed trust fund). Pinewood will maintain a 40 percent stake in the joint venture to be named Pinewood Atlanta.
Pinewood Atlanta will give producers access to attractive fiscal incentives from the State of Georgia, in a conveniently located U.S. hub for productions to base themselves. Georgia offers film, television and digital entertainment tax credits of up to 30 percent.
Construction of the new facility is expected to commence immediately.
“Today’s agreement is another step forward for the Pinewood brand internationally,” Pinewood CEO Ivan Dunleavy said. “This new studio will target U.S. productions. Georgia has excellent fiscal incentives and a great crew base. With River’s Rock we have a well resourced partner that is committed to building a first-class studio facility.”
“We are tremendously excited to be creating a world class studio in the state of Georgia and are looking forward to working with Pinewood in the many years to come,” said Jim Pace, managing partner, River’s Rock. “The Pinewood brand is so well recognized in the global film industry and together there is a great opportunity to build an excellent facility that will attract the very best producers.”
In 2012, 333 productions shot in the state. Recent films shot in Georgia include 42, Catching Fire, Flight, Trouble With The Curve, Lawless, Parental Guidance, Madea’s Witness Protection, Footloose (2012), Joyful Noise, Wanderlust, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, American Reunion, The Three Stooges, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Fast 5 and X-Men: First Class. A record number of television series are also shooting in the state, including The Walking Dead, Single Ladies, Auction Kings, Necessary Roughness, Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva.
