Georgia Film Academy

The Georgia Film Academy (GFA) is a not-for-profit entertainment arts program based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a collaboration of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia created in 2015 by Georgia state leadership to meet education and workforce needs for high-demand careers in Georgia's film and creative industries.[1]

Georgia Film Academy
MottoWe Make Makers
Typeeducational and professional
Established2015
DirectorJeffrey Stepakoff
Academic staff
40
Students2,000 per year
Location
Atlanta
,
Georgia
,
United States
NicknameGFA
Websitegeorgiafilmacademy.edu

Mission and history

The GFA offers professional training to prepare students for union-covered film and television and post-production production craft internships and placement in creative industries, apprenticeships, and jobs.[2][3][4]

The GFA High School Initiative offers training to high school teachers in GFA-developed courses. High School teachers receive training in current methodologies and equipment used in motion picture production, along with training in how to teach Avid Media Composer editing and dramatic writing on the high school level. The dramatic writing course meets the U.S. Department of Education standards for English language arts and theater.[5]

Partner Institutions

GFA started with three campuses — Clayton State, Gwinnett Tech and Southern Crescent, and has expanded to 24 partner colleges and universities across the state of Georgia.[6] Students sign up within their college and then take classes at one of these GFA locations: Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayetteville; OFS Studios in Norcross. Tyler Perry Studios trains students as well.[7] A typical class is one day a week for six hours. Successful students are placed on a paid internship. Currently, 75 percent of GFA students receive one-semester internships. GFA program graduates receive a GFA production certification card after completing the three courses required for the certificate.[8]

Academics

GFA courses include Intro to On-set Film Production, Set Construction & Scenic Painting, Lighting & Electric, Grip & Rigging, Editing with Avid Media Composer 100, Media Composer 200 and Pro Tools, Special Makeup Effects, Production Accounting & Office Management, Production Design, and Motion Picture Set Lighting.

In 2020, the GFA partnered with the University of Georgia (UGA) to offer film programs with the UGA Masters of Fine Arts.[9]

History

The Georgia state legislation created tax incentives for production companies in 2002, and then boosted these credits again in 2008. A film production company that meets the requirements can receive up to 30% back in Georgia State tax credits.[10]

To create more local jobs in the film industry, Governor Nathan Deal worked with the Georgia legislature in 2015 to set aside an appropriation, administered by the Board of Regents, to create and fund GFA. The Board of Regents appointed Atlanta native Jeffrey Stepakoff to be executive director the same year and GFA began offering courses in January 2016: [11][12] Introduction to On-Set Film Production and an accompanying internship program. The two programs were initially offered on the campuses of Clayton State University, Gwinnett Tech and the Southern Crescent Technical College. Twenty GFA interns were used for the first time for the production of Krystal (film), starring William H. Macy, in March 2016.

In June 2016, Stepakoff negotiated an arrangement with IATSE to allow GFA interns to train/intern in union covered crafts where they would be able to work under experienced union members on production sets.[13]

The GFA has issued over 1,000 certificates since its founding in 2016.[14]

See also

References
  1. Georgia Film Academy Helps Fill Industry’s Workforce Gap By Martha Dalton, WABE in Atlanta, Jul 12, 2017
  2. Classes and Workshops: Georgia Film Academy The Georgia Department of Economic Development
  3. New film pathway prepares GHC students for careers in fast-growing industry By Donna Harris, The Daily Tribune News, Cartersville, GA, July 19, 2020
  4. Major movie and TV studio launching locally. The goal is 10 films in three years By Tony Adams, Ledger-Enquirer, June 16, 2018
  5. Georgia Film Academy welcomes high school students By Alexa Liacko, FOX 5 Atlanta, February 19, 2019
  6. GFA Partner Institutions Georgia Film Academy
  7. Tyler Perry Studios partners with Georgia FIlm Academy Tyler Perry Studios
  8. What’s Filming In Georgia: The Georgia Film Academy Can Help By Parrish Walton, Georgia Public Broadcasting, October 30, 2018
  9. UGA Partners With Georgia Film Academy On MFA Film Program By Sophia Saliby, Georgia Public Broadcasting Education : News, January 03, 2020
  10. Film, Television and Digital Entertainment Tax Credit: Georgia Film Academy The Georgia Department of Economic Development
  11. Georgia Film Academy opens registration for Spring 2016 by Ellie Hensley, Atlanta Business Chronicle December 7, 2015
  12. With Jeff Stepakoff at the helm, the Georgia Film Academy begins classes next month by Jeff Stafford, December 18, 2015, ARTS ATL
  13. Local 479 Partnering With Georgia Film Academy In 2016 December 8th, 2015, IATSE Local 479
  14. Academy provides workers for Georgia’s growing film industry By Tammy Joyner, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 9, 2016

Sources
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