OZ MAGAZINE
ROBYN WATSON-PRESIDENT OF WIFTA & CEO OF WATSON MEDIA VENTURES
Cover Story: "50 Years fo Women In Film and Television Atlanta," p.24
Robyn Watson is the principal owner and CEO of Watson Media Ventures (WMV), an entertainment consulting firm that advises on film, television, digital media productions, and entertainment events. She has spent over 25 years as an entertainment strategist and corporate communications executive, most recently as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Gannett/USA Today with previous time spent at WarnerMedia, Time Warner, and Verizon. Robyn provided strategic guidance and communications/PR on launches and distribution of major cable and entertainment services such as FiOS, WarnerMedia Podcast Network, and HBO Max.
Robyn Watson is also the President of Women In Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA), one of 45+ Women In Film chapters dedicated to improving the status and portrayal of women in film, television, video, and other screenbased media. Robyn has been involved in the Women In Film organization for over 14 years having also served on the boards of New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) and Women In Film & Television International (WIFTI).
BOB SHELLEY
Feature Story: " Celluloid Ignition," p.32
Bob was in the United States Army for 21 years and retired as a Captain. His field was Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). During his military career, he was appointed to serve in many unique positions. He had a security clearance of TOP SECRET, a special clearance of Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information, and a White House Security Clearance, which included protection services for the presidents – from Kennedy to Reagan, and many foreign dignitaries. His first exposure to the movie industry came while he was still serving in the United States Army to blow up a car for a feature film. Being close to retirement, he learned that day what his next career would be and has not looked back. Since his retirement in 1977, he has been fortunate enough to provide special services to filmmakers for feature films, television, commercials, live shows, industrial safety training, Army training, law enforcement, and Homeland Security projects
MOJISOLA SONOIKI & MONIQUE MCGLOCKTON
Feature Story: "Still Going and Proving to Evoke Change In Cinema and In Life," p.38
Mojisola Sonoiki is the Founder of the African Film & Arts Foundation and has over 25 years’ experience curating, programming, and consulting on various film festivals and cultural events around the world. Amongst other things, she is the founder of the African Film Festival Atlanta, has a signature program, Cinema for the Culture: Film Screening and Masterclass Series, produced an award winning docu-interview series “Indigo Tongues” and produced/co-wrote a made for TV film “Mixed Feelings” for Ebony Life TV in Nigeria (2015). Ms Sonoiki also co-produced and co-hosted 13 episodes of a podcast called “Not just Nollywood” which shared perspectives on African Cinema, Music, Entertainment and Art. Monique McGlockton has over 25 years of experience in various areas of the entertainment industry. From producing, to scriptwriting and consulting. She directed an award winning feature documentary "Dundu Dole,' " which follows a former dancer who introduced her dynamic talents of West African ballet and its rich culture to a community of children and adults. Over their 30 year span, the dance company is nationally known and has traveled all over the country. McGlockton recently worked with Sonoiki on her latest installment of her signature program, Cinema for the Culture: Film Screening and Masterclass Series.
STEVE ROTHSCHILD
Feature Story: "The Georgia Film & Entertainment Tax Credit Program," p.42
Mr. Rothschild's expertise focuses on state and federal tax credits, tax-deferred 1031 exchanges, tax-deferred Opportunity Zone funds, and numerous federal and state-sponsored tax credit/deduction strategies. He founded the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Will's Club and The Foundation for Molecular Medicine. He is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth, CCIM, and his alma mater Vanderbilt University. Mr. Rothschild is also on the Board of Governors of the Buckhead Club and sits on advisory boards of various companies.
EVELYN MIMS
Feature Story: " Southeast EMMYS 50th Anniversary," p.44
Evelyn Mims combines the passion of a trailblazer with the experience of an industry insider in her role as President and CEO of Mims Media Group. Her experience covers both sides of the camera at WXIA NBC Atlanta. As Community Relations Specialist she connected philanthropists, entertainers, entrepreneurs and celebrities using a variety of traditional and digital media. This led her to the creation of her own media agency, Mims Media Group - one of the leading media relations firms in the country with services ranging from devising story angles, event planning, and product placement with promotions and media opportunities to strengthen and leverage client opportunities within their respective industries. This firm’s expertise has resulted in representing some of the most notable names in business and entertainment. With a consistent high bar to generate media opportunities and exposure for regional individuals as well as national organizations, Mim’s Media has won a reputation as a company creating real value.
WINSTON ANDREWS
OzCetera: A compilation of recent news and hot projects , pgs.8-23
My name is Winston Andrews. I am an Atlanta native, lifelong lover of film, and die-hard Falcons fan. Currently, I am a graduate student in the Accounting program at Georgia State.
Macon Film Festival 2024
TheMacon Film Festival hosted its 19th annual edition from August 15th to 18th in the picturesque downtown Macon. The family-friendly event offers daily film screenings, appearances by celebrities, workshops for filmmakers, fulldome experiences, and special showings.
This year’s event opened with the international premiere of “Red Fever” and closed with a screening of "STAX: Soulsville U.S.A." at the Douglass Theatre.
“The creative culture of Macon shines through its time-honored yet burgeoning culinary and music scenes, making it an ideal backdrop for a
film festival where the vibrant flavors and soulful melodies intertwine to inspire cinematic magic," added the festival’s president Justin Andrews.
As part of a new initiative, the festival partnered with the Firestarters Film Festival, which highlights cinema and artwork created by Indigenous filmmakers, especially the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
This new collaboration originated from the efforts of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI), a collective of citizens dedicated to transforming Macon’s Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park into the first National Park and Preserve in Georgia.
As for the closing night screening of "STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.,” Jamila Wignot directed and produced the documentary which interviews the musicians, songwriters, and producers who crafted the iconic Stax sound.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to bring ‘STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.’ to Macon, Georgia, home of Otis Redding,” explained Wignot. “Otis Redding's contribution to Stax Records and its inimitable sound is undeniable. Like so many, he was the first Stax artist I discovered and was my gateway into the wider catalog. I'm honored that our series continues to champion his legacy. Long Live the Love Man!"
"Rejuvenation": Georgia State’s New Thriller
Nowstreaming on Tubi and Amazon Video, "Rejuvenation" is a gripping thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Created and performed by students from Georgia State University, the film embodies their remarkable growth and hints at the bright future of Georgia’s next generation of filmmakers.
Tom Luse is an artist-in-residence at Georgia State who served as an executive producer for the film. Luse is also known for his production work on AMC’s highly successful
series, “The Walking Dead.”
"Rejuvenation" emerged from a semester-long endeavor involving over 30 students and Luse crafting the full-length film, which takes place in a rehabilitation center and follows the story of Trinity, a college track athlete who develops a cruel addiction to painkillers..
“Projects such as this exemplify the College of the Arts’ mission to inspire and empower students and faculty to excel in arts creation and brings to life our vision to be
the model for 21st-century arts education and practice, making the arts visible, vital and innovative,” added Georgia State’s dean of the College of the Arts, Chester Phillips.
Key supporters in the creation of “Rejuvenation” included: FOX Entertainment, AMC Networks Inc., Adobe Inc., and Canon USA, whose involvement enhanced the movie’s production quality and advertising.
Sundance Narrows List of Potential New Locations
Sundance Film Festival is considering leaving Park City, Utah for a new location in 2027 and the foreseeable future.
Three Georgia cities - Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah - were invited to submit proposals to host, but the Sundance Institute recently narrowed its list to a top six:
Boulder, CO; Cincinnati, OH; Louisville, KY; Park City, UT; Santa Fe, NM, and of course, Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta's proposal featured a $2 million commitment, and a website highlighting the city's reputation as a premier location for film and television.
Over the summer, representatives from the vaunted Sundance Film Festival took a trip to Atlanta as they continue their search for a new host city.
“We were really impressed by the messaging that we’ve all
gotten around regarding Atlanta being a place that Sundance can grow,” said the CEO of Georgia Entertainment, Randy Davidson. “Being at Sundance this last year, it’s really tight for Park City to hold. We believe that Atlanta can provide the opportunities for the festival to really expand.”
Although there is optimism surrounding Sundance relocating to Atlanta, many suspect that the congested traffic in downtown will prove a difficult hurdle to overcome for a film festival of this magnitude.
“Sundance right now is so condensed, and that’s why Savannah and even Athens made such good representation,” added Davidson. “But Sundance also knows that this is a chance for them to reshape what they’re doing, and to allow it to be even bigger. The Atlanta scene provides that, even with the challenge of traffic.”
Atlanta-Lensed ‘Megapolis’ Premieres at Cannes
Francis
Ford Coppola's greatly anticipated film “Megalopolis” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival this past weekend.
The futuristic saga, set in postapocalyptic America, follows an architect attempting to rebuild New York in utopian form.
The film was shot at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, as well as various other locations around metro Atlanta, employing many film
industry companies in Georgia.
After Coppola's thirteen year hiatus, the 85-year-old director has generated a mix of anticipation and doubt among fans due to the project’s extensive development, which Coppola claims to have begun over forty years ago.
"It's Francis Ford Coppola's multidecade passion project, and he selffinanced it on the back of his wine business," explained Stephen Brown, a writer at Silver Screen Capture.
"He's always been a renegade, from the very beginning when he did ‘The Godfather’ movies, ‘The Conversation’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’."
The cast includes stars such as Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Talia Shire, Grace VanderWaal, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman.
“The Godfather” Director
Launches All-Movie Hotel Near Trilith Studios
“The Godfather” director, Francis Ford Copolla has totally remodeled a former Days Inn Hotel to build the All-Movie Hotel in Peachtree City.
The hotel has twenty-seven rooms designed by Coppola himself and boasts a cutting-edge production facility as well as two editing suites.
Located just fifteen minutes away from Trilith Studios, the hotel is in the perfect spot to capitalize on Georgia’s bustling film industry, as thousands of
film crews, directors, and performers are looking for places to stay while they work on their current projects.
The idea for a hotel came to Copolla while he was in Atlanta filming his most recent blockbuster, “Megapolis.” The film is set to premiere in theaters everywhere on September 27, 2024.
“When I didn’t want to think about the movie, I would think about this hotel, and when I didn’t
want to think about the hotel, I’d think about the movie,” explained the award-winning director.
During this time, he also conducted some reshoots at the hotel, mentioning that it is well-prepared for film production, offering amenities such as fitting rooms, a recording studio, and a 30-seat screening room.
The hotel held its grand opening on July 25, 2024, and is currently open for business!
World of Esports: Atlanta to Africa
BARBAH Games, an Atlantabased company, is partnering with TechnOrganic to introduce young Africans to the vast opportunities available in Esports as well as the gaming industry.
The Esports industry market size is projected to reach $7 billion by 2030. Furthermore, Esports talent can translate to college scholarships and substantial prize money at tournaments held all over the world.
BARBAH’s founder, Andrew Muriuki, is looking to strategically introduce Fortnite to African children. While Fortnite hasn't gained much traction there yet, Muriuki is optimistic that Disney's partnership with Epic Games, the owner of Fortnite, could significantly enhance its global fanbase.
The impact of Fortnite is more than just teaching kids how to play a video game. It has evolved into
a gaming world where players can monetize their own designs within the creative economy.
Gamers have the opportunity to design their own Fortnite maps and earn income as their creations attract more participants. Muriuki sees esports as a potential gateway to integrating gaming into education, ultimately imparting valuable technological skills.
Tyler Perry’s ‘Divorce in the Black’ Streaming on Prime
As the Madea movies catapulted Tyler Perry to fame, he has continued to craft stories that touch the hearts and minds of audiences.
His most recent creation, “Divorce in the Black,” is now streaming on Prime Video and stars
Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict.
"He loves his artist, he covers us, he makes us feel seen or he sees us rather, and he values us and he doesn't just say it," said Good about Perry. "He shows it in every way that he approaches how he deals
with us, how he handles us, how he takes care of us, everything. And so that's a breath of fresh air too."
The movie begins with Good and Hardict’s characters struggling in a loveless marriage and follows their arcs as they venture into divorced life.
Trilith Institute Now Offering Semester-Length Classes Streaming
Beginning on September 3, 2024, Trilith Institute is implementing semester-length courses for writers and creatives in the film industry.
Classes, offered in-person and virtually, are currently open for enrollment and include:
• Screenwriting Essentials
• Narrative Directing for Screen
•Acting for Camera with Alliance Theatre
•The Business of Independent Filmmaker
•Foundations of Filmmaking
•Sketch Comedy Writing with Dad’s Garage
•Introduction to VFX and Animation
•Cinematic Storyboarding Furthermore, Trilith Institute has introduced an Emerging Creative Residency Program aimed at up-andcoming writers and directors. Participants chosen for this residency program will get to live in the Town of Trilith, receive film production funding, and have connections to the resources of Trilith Institute.
“While Georgia’s film and television production business has seen a remarkable $4 billion boom, our state’s entertainment industry remains incomplete,” explained Trilith’s CEO, Jeffrey Stepakoff. “We continue to send our writers out of state because we do not have a full entertainment ecosystem here. Trilith Institute is building a new model to retain our writers and creative class by fostering their development and providing them with crucial access.”
Coca Cola Film Festival Announces 2024 Schedule
Each year, the Fox Theatre celebrates its legacy as a film haven with the Coca Cola Summer Film Festival. From August 23-25, 2024, the festival screened a selection of anniversary films.
In keeping with tradition, the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival displays movies on the Fox Theatre’s massive 26-by-56-foot screen
underneath its signature blue sky.
This year’s special screenings included: The Little Mermaid (singalong), Bohemian Rhapsody (sing-along), Casablanca, and West Side Story.
Guests recieved a captivating experience, complete with a variety of immersive pre-show activities and entertainment in the Theatre and
the Marquee Club, which offered the chance to meet characters.
Additionally, the Fox Theatre hosted theater tours prior to each film showing. During these one-hour guided tours, guests explored the original projection booth, screening room, and celebrity dressing rooms, among other areas.
Catapult Studios Launches Acting Conservatory
Catapult Acting Studios, a premier institution for film and TV performance studies, is thrilled to introduce the Catapult Conservatory. This innovative new program is seeking to transform the landscape of on-camera acting instruction in Georgia.
The Catapult Conservatory offers specialized training for actors between the ages of ten to twenty-five, with a curriculum that includes one course for emerging talents and four for those at an advanced or professional level.
The comprehensive program spans
two semesters and aims to improve participants’ abilities in both the technical execution and emotional expression required in film and TV acting.
Additionally, the program offers continuous educational workshops for parents looking to guide their children’s careers.
Admission to the Conservatory is selective and based on an audition, ensuring that only the most committed actors are enrolled.
"The launch of the Conservatory marks a major expansion of our
commitment to nurturing professional level acting talent for Georgia's booming film industry,” explained Erik Lingvall, the founder of Catapult Acting Studios. “This evolution of Catapult will reinforce our current goal to prepare and launch the careers of actors in TV & Film, both in the Southeast and beyond! The productions are already here. Now it's time for Georgia to become the hub for the actors as well!"
The program commenced this fall in August 2024.
Classes are held at Catapult Acting Studios in Atlanta.
The Making of a Flannery O’Connor Biopic
Apacked audience of Flannery
O’Connor enthusiasts gathered to listen to director Ethan Hawke and lead actress Maya Hawke discuss their new biographical film "Wildcat," which honors one of Georgia's most renowned authors.
While reading O’Connor’s “A Prayer Journal,” Maya Hawke was inspired to use it during her audition for The Juilliard School. She would then eventually propose the idea of creating a film based on O’Connor to her father.
While crafting the screenplay, Hawke and his team allowed Flannery O’Connor’s
own words from her journals, short stories, and novels to shape the narrative.
“I’m telling you about her life as an artist. I’m going to let her speak about what she has to say about it, and I’m going to let her talk about her faith,” explained Ethan Hawke. “I’m going to let her talk about her mom, and I’m going to let her talk about writing. That was difficult to do, but it was really fun, and it was an invitation.”
Maya Hawke, known for her roles in the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things,” portrays Flannery O’Connor and
also portrays a collection of characters from O’Connor’s short stories.
“Flannery, through her faith, was seeing things,” added Ethan Hawke. “Seeing things that a lot of white people in our community were not seeing about themselves and their hypocrisy about what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a man. She was seeing things, and she offered us the chance to see them, too. And I guess it did open a door for me.”
Out on Film Festival Unveils First Film Selections
OutOn Film, an LGBTQ film festival, has unveiled the first selection of films for its highly anticipated 37th annual event.
The Oscar-qualifying festival will take place on September 26 to October 6, 2024 at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema and Out Front Theatre Company. Additionally, certain films will be available online until October 13th.
“For nearly four decades, our mission has not only been to create a platform for queer stories, but to let people know we’re a strong, vibrant, and diverse community,” explained Out On Film’s new executive director, Justice Obiaya. “The huge volume of incredible submissions we received is a testament to it, and we couldn’t be prouder for this year’s lineup.”
In 2024, the festival set a new personal record for submissions, with close to 1,000 entries from across the world.
Now, a glimpse of the full schedule is available as five of the selections have
been announced.
"Sebastian," directed by Mikko Mäkelä, tells the story of Max, a young writer in London who secretly works as a sex worker to gather material for his first novel. As he navigates this hidden life, Max undergoes a profound personal transformation, exploring new facets of his identity while facing the potential consequences for his budding literary career.
"Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps" is a one-hour film that presents Scott Turner Schofield's journey of manhood using elements like archival footage. The film, adapted from Schofield's longrunning performance, offers a fresh perspective on the transition experience, portraying both the challenges and humor of his life as a trans man.
"Willa Justice: Drag Queen Private Eye," directed by Jonathan Andre Culliton, is a short film set in Twentynine Palms,
California, where Willa Justice, a drag queen and the world's best private investigator, finds herself embroiled in solving the brutal murder of a straight couple at the Out There Bar.
Directed by Michael Perez-Lindsey, "Will I See You Again?" centers on two former college teammates who, after years of separation, must revisit their past during a polygraph test to secure an inheritance from their dead friend’s estate.
"9 Lives," directed by Millie Rose Evans, is a queer comedy-drama that follows Clara and June through a strange night, where a deceased cat named Beans becomes an unlikely catalyst for their journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
These films showcase the uniqueness of the narratives and viewpoints that will be highlighted this year.
Information about tickets is available on the Out on Film website!
Chalkdust Animation Studios Reveals C.S. Lewis TV Series
Producer Jared Mass has officially pened Chalkdust Animation Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with a concentration on 3D animations in both film and television.
The studio will make its debut through a TV adaptation of "Boxen: The Childhood Chronicles of C.S. Lewis," inspired by the earliest writings of the famed author behind the Chronicles of Narnia.
“It’s an absolute honor to be adapting the first stories ever written by one of the greatest authors of all time, C.S. Lewis,” says Mass. “We have a tremendous responsibility to make sure the content lives up to Lewis’s pedigree and his
inspirational worldviews. Our goal is to make a show parents will trust and kids will be entertained and inspired.”
At a young age, C.S. Lewis and his brother created a fantastical realm inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. This imaginative world was the setting for a series of short stories that HarperCollins published in 1986 and later re-released under the title "Boxen: Childhood Chronicles Before Narnia."
Drawing inspiration from the themes and narratives that turned Lewis into a household name, Chalkdust's new series "Boxen: The Childhood Chronicles of C.S.
Lewis" aspires to captivate the imagination of readers.
Noble Road Media, a newly established company in Atlanta created by writer/director/producer Michael Carney (known for "Same Kind of Different as Me" and "A Quiet Town"), is independently funding the series.
Beyond the “Boxen” series, Chalkdust is investing in the creation of unique animated content by utilizing their Atlanta-based real-time virtual production capabilities. These projects can be developed either within the traditional studio system or independently.
‘The Idea of You’: Georgia's Cinematic Transformation
Setdesigners play a crucial role in film production by completely transforming filming locations into various settings. This is exemplified in the recent release of "The Idea of You," starring Anne Hathaway, which debuted at the Atlanta Film Festival in April and is now streaming on Prime Video.
In the captivating romantic tale, Atlanta acts as the backdrop for scenes depicting Los Angeles, New York, and France. The story follows Solène Marchand, portrayed by Hathaway, a single mother in her forties who unexpectedly falls for Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old singer from her daughter's favorite boy band.
While Solène's adventures range from her cozy bungalow in the Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood, to Coachella music festival, to the French Riviera, the filming remained grounded in Georgia.
In fact, Solène's LA home is an Airbnb located in Atlanta's Virginia-Highland neighborhood, with scenes of Coachella filmed at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the French vacation spot is a pool house in Atlanta.
Moreover, Solène's daily activities, such as jogging in Atlanta Waterworks Park and operating her gallery from a store in Candler Park, further integrate the Georgia setting into the narrative. Downtown Atlanta convincingly portrays Manhattan's SoHo, while the film also showcases the enchanting beauty of Savannah as the couple shares a romantic stroll along the waterfront.
The movie is now streaming on Prime Video!
WIFTA Board (L to R: GlenNeta Griffin, Cardellia Hunter, Randie Brooks, Robyn Watson, Teresa Edwards, Aeriel Coleman, Katy Womack, Shelbia Jackson)
WIFTA event at The Lola
Georgia Film Day 2024
In 1973, Tichi Wilkerson Kassel, then publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, suggested that an organization be started to help women in the entertainment industry. A small group of women met on the following Tuesday and sat on the floor of Tichi's office for what was to become a historic brainstorming session.
404 Day Panel (L to R: Robyn Watson, Karen Ceesay)
WIFTA event at The Lola
All agreed that women should help women and that it was time to mobilize. Hence the Women in Film organization was born. Shortly after that, the Atlanta Chapter of Women in Film & Television was founded upon those same principles in 1974 by Beverly Kievman Copen as the first President with Barbara Thomas the VP, making it the second oldest chapter in the Women In Film organization to promote gender parity in the film industry through research, education, and media campaigns.
“Why is being remembered as part of the WIFTA history important to me? Beginnings are important, as they are the beginning of what could be. The idea of planting seeds and watching them grow is part of my passion in life.” ~ Beverly Kievman Copen
Since its inception in 1974, Women in Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA) has been a beacon of creativity and empowerment for women in the film and television industry. This year marks a significant milestone as WIFTA celebrates its 50th anniversary, highlighting the achievements, contributions, and resilience of women in the world of entertainment.
As of 2022, WIFTA's demographic breakdown reflects a diverse and inclusive community, with 85% of members identifying as female; there are also approximately 50 male members who support the organization and members. Through its programs, events, and initiatives, WIFTA has empowered countless women to pursue their dreams and break barriers in a male-dominated industry. The organization's impact extends beyond just networking, offering educational workshops, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy for gender equality.
"I love WIFTA because it not only champions the creative brilliance of Women in Film and Television but also fosters an environment where professional growth and meaningful connections flourish. Through WIFTA, we are not just advancing our careers, but also shaping a more inclusive and
dynamic industry." ~ Ty Johnston-Chavis
WIFTA has empowered countless women to pursue their dreams and break barriers in a male-dominated industry through its various programs, events, and initiatives. From providing educational workshops and mentorship opportunities to hosting networking events and film festivals, WIFTA has been instrumental in highlighting and advancing the careers of women in film and television. Each month WIFTA provides events and educational programming to promote networking and professional development among its members and the general film/television industry at large. Program topics cover a broad range of subject matter about all aspects of the industry and respective of the diverse composition of its membership.
WIFTA also has signature events and programming each year; including:
•Short Film Showcase – an annual showcase highlighting talented filmmakers’ work throughout the Southeast and beyond with a focus, of course, on uplifting the works of strong Women filmmakers, crews, and leads., political, documentary and experimental.
•WIFTA Gala – an annual fundraising event and awards ceremony spotlighting women in the Georgia entertainment community. It’s also where WIFTA awards scholarships to the up-andcoming creatives studying film & television in Georgia
•Women In Production Summit (WIPS) – an annual event hosted by a collaborative partnership of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), WIN (Women’s Impact Network), WIFTA (Women in Film & Television/ Atlanta), Black Women Film Network, Film Fatales, and the Alliance of Women Directors whose mission is to make Georgia the most inclusive and women-friendly media market in the country.
As WIFTA enters its 50th year, the organization remains committed to service and scholarship, supporting the entertainment community in Georgia and beyond. By ramping up its
community presence and partnerships, WIFTA continues to expand its internship program, and nurture the next generation of industry professionals. With these new partnerships, WIFTA will strengthen its internship program by the Spring of 2025. To date, WIFTA offers two types of internships:
• In-House Internships - internships with WIFTA that are based on the organization’s needs. WIFTA currently has interns from The Creative Media Industries Institute at Georgia State and the Fulton County Schools Internship Program
•WIFTA Partners Internshipsopportunities for WIFTA members in a variety of disciplines from top firms across metro Atlanta. WIFTA has had internships with WarnerMedia and Turner Sports.
WIFTA is always looking to provide opportunities for their members so if you’re interested in becoming a partner for the WIFTA Internship Program, reach out to: president@wifta.org and include in the subject “I Want To Be a WIFTA Internship Partner.” And if you want to learn more about WIFTA, go to wifta.org > GET INVOLVED and join the organization.
"Empowering women in film isn't just about breaking barriers, it's about building bridges to a future where every voice is heard and every story is
celebrated. Together, we are not just shaping the present, but also sculpting a brighter tomorrow for the next generation of creative women." ~ Robyn Watson WIFTA’s success can be attributed to its strong leadership and board representation. This year, four of its executive board members and board counsel – Robyn Watson, Cardellia Hunter, Randie Brooks, Shelbia Jackson and Nancy Prager -- were featured as
one of Georgia Entertainment’s 200 Most Influential of Georgia’s Creative Industries.
“As the newest board member and VP of Programming for Women in Film and Television Atlanta ( WIFTA), I am incredibly honored to be part of an organization that champions the voices and talents of women in our industry. I am committed to creating inclusive and
empowering opportunities that will inspire and support our members in their creative journeys.” ~ GlenNeta Griffin, Women in Film and Television Atlanta.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Women in Film & Television Atlanta, we salute the
WIFTA event at The Lola
WIFTA IGLive
trailblazing women who have paved the way for future generations of storytellers, filmmakers, and industry professionals. Through their creativity, resilience, and determination, women in the entertainment business continue to inspire us all and shape the future of film and television. WIFTA is a consistent driving force and advocate for positive
change in the world of film and television.
Robyn Watson ,Cardellia Hunter, Shelbia Jackson, Katy Womack, Randie Brooks, Aeriel Coleman, Teresa Edwards, GlenNeta Griffin, Shellie Schmals, Angi Bones, BJ Arnett.
WIFTA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA IS ON OCTOBER 26 AT THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION AND GET READY TO CELEBRATE WIFTA’S COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND SCHOLARSHIP!
Happy 50th Anniversary WIFTA!
CMII Student Intern Merissa Ware
WIFTA volunteers
By: Bob Shelley
Iwas in the United States Army for 21 years when I retired as a captain. My field was explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). During my military career, I was appointed to serve in many unique positions that had a security clearance of “top secret,” White House security clearance, and a special clearance of CNWDI (Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information).
My White House duties included protection services for the presidents – from Kennedy through Carter and presidential candidates at the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968, as well as the Democrat and Republican Conventions in Miami in 1972. I was also tasked with protection of visiting foreign dignitaries such as King Hussein of Jordan and Anwar Sadat of Egypt. And I was involved in three wars/conflicts including Honduras/El Salvador, Vietnam, and Israel/Egypt.
My first exposure to the film industry came while I was still in the Army and stationed at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, Georgia. My unit was contacted by film director Gyneth Markley “Gy” Waldron, in Georgia to film a movie called Moonrunners, starring James Mitchum, Kiel Martin, and Arthur Hunnicutt, about doing work on the feature film. Waldron said he was looking for someone who could use explosives, and he said he wanted to blow up a car, a moonshine still (a job my unit had frequently performed), and a cotton gin.I happily stepped up
Waldron said, “I can pay you $100 a day, $25 a day per diem, 12 cents per mile, and pay for your equipment and expendables.” That was huge money to me, especially for doing something that I enjoyed, so I had hit the jackpot. I contacted Bill Adams of Adams Explosives in Atlanta to buy what I needed for the job.
The car explosion the director wanted was a very large explosion, as it turns out. “I want a big fireball, and when it’s done I only want to see the engine, the tires, and the seats left.”
Not a problem. I set about rigging the car to blow up as he wanted. So I laced 50-grain detonating cord on the roof, 30 gallons of gasoline, six sticks of 60% dynamite, and a thermite grenade on the engine. He was pleasantly surprised when I was ready the following day.
He asked if Jim Mitchum could crawl out of the car. Since I had not loaded the detonating charge, I assured him it
was safe to have the actor exit the car on-camera. So, with the car on its side, the actor exited the vehicle and started crawling. I observed a cameraman squinting through his fingers and another looking at the rehearsal through a viewfinder.
As the actor reached a point about 20 feet from the car, Waldron said, “Bob, this is where I want you to blow up the car.” At this moment, I realized I knew nothing about making films. I told him that I rigged the car to go away. That everything within a thousand feet of the blast would not be safe.
“Where are you going to be?” Waldron asked. “You see that hill over there?” I answered, pointing to a spot a quarter of a mile away. “That’s where I’m going to be.”
This project turned out to be the pilot for The Dukes of Hazzard. So after retiring from the Army, The Dukes of Hazzard became my first television series to work on.
Using the leave I’d saved up from the Army, I did multiple television shows, industrials, and commercials, including Greased Lightning, starring Richard Pryor, and a film called Whiskey Mountain with Christopher George.
Before long, the film and commercial projects had grown so big that I recruited my Army pals, Sgt. Maj. Vern Hyde and Sgt. First Class Dick Cross, to join me.
In 1977, my term was up in the Army. I was told I could stay in the Army at my enlisted rank, retire, or join active reserves. I felt like I’d found my calling in the film industry, and so I retired from the Army and set out to learn and earn a living in the movie business.
I turned to my supplier from
Cpt Robert M. Shelley
Dukes of Hazzard days, Adams Explosives, and went to visit them in an effort to learn more about the tools I would need. The owner showed me a card with pictures of small igniters and detonators from a company called De La Mare Engineering Inc. in San Fernando, California, and explained that they supplied the explosives for the industry.
So I called up De La Mare and spoke with Betty De La Mare, who invited me to visit her. First thing, I hopped a plane to Hollywood.
Betty was a dear, sweet lady who treated me like family. She took me all around California to meet the giants of the industry -- Ira Katz, a chemical engineer with Tri-Ess Sciences in Burbank; Roger George Special Effects in Van Nuys; and a special effects legend, Joe Lombardi, with Special Effects Unlimited in Sun Valley. Each of them welcomed me into the industry, and they were very helpful to me early on in my career.
Betty then took me to a bookstore and picked out several volumes for me to read, and she urged me forward. To this day, I still have the books.
Next, I joined the I ATSE local 476
(Chicago) where I was the only member with an explosives license. I did The Dollmaker with Jane Fonda and Code of Silence with Chuck Norris, Bad Boys with Sean Penn, and others. In addition, the production manager from Code of Silence, John Wilson, asked me to go to New York for a “silly” movie, Ghostbusters
During the 1980s and 1990s, I traveled all over the country, doing westerns in Arizona and New Mexico,
Robert Shelley Secret Service
Marta Track Explosion
period shows in Georgia and Virginia, action shows in Chicago and Florida, and romances in the Carolinas. I’ve done features in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, and I’ve traveled to Finland to make snow for a Christmas special -- only to be nearly snowed in when it was time to leave.
Eventually, my wife joined me in the company, and all of my children have worked with me at one time or another. I maintained a special effects/ props rental house at the old Lakewood Fairgrounds (later Screen Gems) for some 30 years. Then I moved my operation to Fayetteville, Georgia, in 2011, where we have a full line of special
effects equipment to produce rain, snow, smoke, fire, etc. And I also opened a fully equipped mobile effects shop.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with actors such as Burt Reynolds, Chuck Norris, Bill Murray, Jessica Tandy, Gerald McRaney, Steve Martin, Antonio Banderas, Lou Gossett Jr., Jack Black, Denzel Washington, Adam Sandler, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Rebel Wilson, Dolly Parton, Robin Williams, Bruce Willis, and many others. My crew and I have also been involved in many live shows, including Blue Collar TV, Champions of Magic, and most recently, LEGO Masters.
I no longer travel like I once did. But the 2005 Film Tax Incentive brought more projects to Georgia, so now I am able to leave work and go home to sleep in my own bed. The industry has grown so much since then. For years, I’d see the same faces from one project to the next. Now I’m lucky if I recognize a quarter of the crew on set. Although, I am not going to complain about that.
What used to be a small film family has grown quite large. I am very proud to see how far the industry has progressed. As a founding member of IATSE Local
Antonio Badares and Selma Hyak (DESPERADOS)
Bob Receiving Plaque for Founder and Charter Member IATSE Local
479 and original member of Georgia Production Partnership, I can say that Georgia has some of the most talented people in the business.
Sources and methods have changed a great deal over the years -- most notably in the area of Computer Generated Images (CGI). My initial reaction was negative because the technology was rumored to replace practical special effects with computer generated effects. Yet, my feelings
morphed into love/hate. I do not like to see computer generated explosions, rain, and fire, but I do like what computers can do to enhance my practical effects. With this technology, we could have made it look like Jim Mitchum was in the shot instead of the dummy we had to use back in my earliest days working in film.
After 50 years at my second career, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. My daughter, Lisa, still works with me. I report to our shop for work every day
while I wait for the call to prep our next movie. We can be reached at 770-6810889, for anyone who needs me.
Oh, and that silly show I was called to work on in New York, Ghostbusters, turned out to be a huge blockbuster -- and we just celebrated its 40th anniversary in June.
What a ride, and what an explosive career the film industry has given me!
Rain Scene - Savannah Jazzman's Blues
Condor Rain Scene
Bill Muray and Bob Shelley_Bill autographed the original Slime from Ghostbusters
Ghostbuers 40th Anniversary June 2024
STILL GOING AND PROVING TO EVOKE CHANGE IN CINEMA AND IN LIFE
BY: MOJISOLA SONOIKI & MONIQUE MCGLOCKTON
British born Nigerian Mojisola Sonoiki is a miracle worker able to turn ideas into progress. She has been cultivating programs for over 20 years. Her organization, the African Film and Arts Foundation’s Cinema for the Culture: Film Screenings + Master Class Series took place over the spring and summer 2024 in Atlanta GA.
As an award recipient for a grant from Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (A&E) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the series featured films by award winning filmmakers with a Q and A to follow. Kicking off the series was a film by award winning filmmaker, Apolline Traoré entitled SIRA. It tells the gripping story of a struggle for survival in which the female veil becomes an instrument of resistance, in a film that represents a feminist counterpoint to current reporting from the region. The Q and A discussion was led by attorney Olivia Mugenga.
During black music month, THE JOURNEY OF THE MARIMBA explores the deep musical relationship between Senegal, Mexico, Germany, Ecuador, the United States, and Colombia, all through the journey of this magical instrument was showcased with a virtual Q and A from the filmmaker Marino Aguado and the director of photography, Andres’ Morales.
In 2019, the African Film & Arts Foundation (AFAF) was founded. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit media arts organization dedicated to celebrating people of the African Diaspora through the lens of film arts & culture.
The goal of AFFA is to be part of the conversation as well as provide actiondriven input in improving the image of the continent through the showcase of films that change the narrative of people of African descent. By integrating with Atlanta’s unique features, as a dynamic social, educational, artistic, cultural
and film production hub, AFFA’s goal is to showcase passions, subtleties and trends in African cinema.
AFAF’s ultimate goal is to become a funding body, providing funding opportunities for filmmakers of African descent. AFAF produces the African Film Festival Atlanta (AFFATL) of which Mojisola has been the Festival Director for the last 5 years.
“It is very important to me as an African to reach out to other Africans and support their work. We are a marginalized group in the context of world politics, or anything else within the global context really, so the more we can support each other, the more our voices will be heard, our stories told and our problems solved,” Sonoiki says.
In 2023, she received on behalf of AFAF, a Resolution by a Georgia House of Representatives, congratulating and commending the Foundation for the grand occasion of its signature event, the third annual African Film Festival Atlanta.
Sonoiki has won other awards, including the series she produced entitled Indigo Tongues. Indigo Tongues is an interview series that brings the inspiring voices of dynamic people from Africa and the diaspora onto one global platform. Trailblazers have been recognized in their respective countries for contributing significantly in the development of their area of expertise.
Her production company Iyàlódè Productions, has produced “Occupy Naija: an insider’s view”, a short
documentary about the Occupy Nigeria demonstrations of 2012; co-written a made for TV film “Mixed Feelings'' which aired on the cable channel Ebony Life TV in Nigeria in 2015 and produced an award- winning docu-interview series “Indigo Tongues'' which showcases trailblazers from Africa and the diaspora.
From 2005 – 2012, Iyàlódè Productions also produced the Women of Color Arts & Film (WOCAF) Festival, Atlanta at the historic Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History (AARL) who acted as a venue partner. The WOAF Festival was one of the first home grown arts & film festivals that celebrated the work and achievements of women of color artists and filmmakers. WOCAF’s document archives are housed at AARL and its film archives can be found at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York.
The WOCAF Festival partnered with other organizations including the Lagos International Film Festival and the Zuma Film Festival, Abuja both in Nigeria. As the Film curator, I programmed screenings based on that festival’s themes. WOCAF presented “Best of the Fest '' at the Zuma Film Festival where seven of the nine films submitted won awards including Best Editor, Best Cinematographer, Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film. I also programmed the film screening segment for 4th Women in Africa and the African Diaspora (WAAD) International Conference in Abuja, Nigeria in 2009,
it being the first time the conference had such an extensive screening that showed films that addressed each of the conference topics.
In 2007, The WOCAF festival received a proclamation from the Atlanta city council recognizing the contributions of the Festival in celebrating the contributions of women of color in the arts and film.
Indigo Tongues received the Best Short Documentary award at the BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta (2015) as well as Best Documentary award at the Women’s Only Entertainment Film Festival (2016) for its episode featuring award-winning actress Adepero Oduye.
As an IT consultant (Software Testing) she has worked with NBC Universal, Autotrader.com, Digitas, Teach For America, Blue State Digital, Equifax and Farmers Insurance being some of her most recent clients. Still
honing her skills in filmmaking, Mojisola received a certificate in Screenwriting from New York’s University School of Professional Studies and has been a judge for the International film category at the BronzeLens Film Festival, Atlanta. She co-hosted/co-produced a Podcast called Not just Nollywood; which explored perspectives on Cinema, Music, Arts and Entertainment, of, for and about people of African descent and produced 13 episodes.
Having initially obtained degrees in Computer Science and Intelligent Systems, she worked as an IT consultant in the UK for companies like Compaq Computers, Price Waterhouse, and Glaxo. She took a hiatus from the IT world to pursue a career in academia and attended University of Birmingham in the UK for the MA program in West African Studies where she majored in Ethnography and Film.
Attending this program ignited an interes t in Documentary Filmmaking and fueled her desire to pursue a career in the media after she was disappointed at how she felt western documentarian’s depicted Africans in a derogatory
in Film in historic Brixton, London. When she moved to the US, she worked with Women Makes Movies in New York City, a leading distributor of women’s films and videos in North America, where she worked as the Production Assistance Manager.
When asked about the experiences that inspired her on this path.
“I have been involved in artistic events from a very early age and music and dancing was my first love. From primary through middle school in Nigeria, I was a member of the traditional dance groups that entertained guests at our end-of-school-year cultural event. Then I was one of the organizers of the foundation week at my secondary school, the International School of Ibadan (ISI), which was a celebration of the cultural diversity at our school. At ISI, I was also involved in the Drama Society where I acted in plays, as well as a member of the school band where I played the recorder.
Ms. Sonoiki has over 20 years’ experience curating, programming, nsulting on various film festivals and cultural events around the world. She is a founding member of the Black Filmmakers Magazine International Film Festival in London and also curated and coordinated the first of its kind sold out film festival of short films by Black women filmmakers called È wá wò (come & see): Sistahs
On graduating from secondary school my plan was to study literature in university as I loved to write and had been writing since I was two years old. But being from a middle class Nigerian family and being the first born it was almost an abomination at that time to want to be anything outside of a doctor, lawyer or engineer. As I was adamant that I didn't want to study any of these, selecting computer science was the closest I could come to appeasing my parents.
Still having the artistic itch, during my first year at University of Lagos where I studied computer science, I was the social secretary of the Jazz Club, and we hosted a sold out Fela Kuti show. I was the only woman on the production and I had the nickname "Thatcher" which in retrospect established my leadership qualities I guess. This definitely piqued my interest in organizing cultural events. As I grew older I knew my calling was not in the sciences but in the arts and I have managed to balance both ever since.”
The WOCAF Festival has partnered with other organizations including presenting the WOCAF “Best of the Fest” at the Zuma Film Festival Abuja where 7 of the 9 films submitted won awards including
“My
mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion.”
Best Editor, Best Cinematographer and Best Feature.
“At the Zuma Film Festival, the screenings I programmed included twelve films and seven of them won awards including awards for Best Editor, Best Cinematographer, Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film. I programmed the film screening segment of the 4th Women in Africa and the African Diaspora (WAAD) International Conference in Abuja, Nigeria in 2009 and this was the first time the conference had such an extensive screening that showed films that addressed each of the conference topics.”
The festival received a proclamation from the Atlanta city council recognizing the contributions of the Festival in celebrating the contributions of women of color in the arts and film.
“Over the course of the years, I have taken films that were shown at my festival, the Women of Color Arts and Film (WOCAF) Festival, to other film festivals where I have programmed screenings based on that festival’s theme. I have programmed screenings for two film festivals in Nigeria—the
-Mojisola Sonoiki
Lagos International Film Festival and the Zuma Film Festival in Abuja.”
Did you have challenges from your experiences as festival founder and organizer?
“I have discovered I have a good eye for selecting films that capture people's attention. I have gained the ability to organize large events successfully. I am very good at multitasking at the festival and typically, I run the festival as a one-woman show most of the time, with people coming on board to help a few months before the festival.
The challenges of running a festival of any size in any country is getting the funding to pay for the films that are to be screened, funding for bringing in the filmmakers to talk about their work, funding for paying the artist and her band to perform and funding to market the event. Another big challenge is getting committed and experienced people to work on the festival.
One of the big differences I find is that when dealing with artists and filmmakers from Africa, they make
different demands and have interesting expectations as to how they want to be treated if they are invited to attend a festival. To some degree I understand that they are treated as celebrities in their home countries but at the end of the day what our festival offers them is a free platform to promote themselves and their work in a different country.”
Philosophy I live by: The philosophy I live by can be summarized by the quote below. I couldn’t have put it any better: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion.”
Up next for Sonoiki and her organization is the 2024 African Film Festival - Atlanta in the late fall of 2024. To learn more about AFAF, CFC and other programs, please visit africanfilmfestatl.com and africanfilmartsfoundation.org.
Social Media: @africanfilmarts @ africanfilmfestatl #AfricanFilmArts, #CinemaForTheCulture, #AfricanFilmFestATL
THE GEORGIA FILM & ENTERTAINMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: THE GEORGIA FILM & ENTERTAINMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM:
BY: STEVE ROTHSCHILD
Georgia, often referred to as the "Hollywood of the South," has become a major hub for the film and entertainment industry since 2008. This transformation can largely be attributed to the Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program, a state initiative designed to attract film, television, and digital entertainment productions to the state that will generate jobs and promote
Georgia on an international stage. Launched in 2008,this program has been instrumental in establishing Georgia as one of the top production destinations in the world. This article explores the key components, impacts, and future prospects of the Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program.
Key Components of the Program
The Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program offers a tax credit of up to 30%of the qualified production expenditures incurred in the state. This includes costs such as salaries for Georgia residents, set construction, and other direct productionexpenses. To qualify, productions must spend a minimum of $500,000 in Georgia, whichcan be met through a single production or a series of projects aggregated over acalendar year.
1. Base Tax Credit: Productions that spend at least $500,000 in Georgia are eligible fora 20% tax credit.
2. Additional Credit: An extra 10% credit is available for productions that include a promotional Georgia logo in the end credits and a link to the state’s tourism website on the project’s promotional website.
Economic Impact
The economic benefits of the Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program have been substantial. Since its inception, the program has generated billions of dollars in economic activity and created tens of thousands of jobs. In 2023 alone, the film and television industry spent a record $4.1 billion in the state.
1. Job Creation: The influx of productions has led to significant job creation, not just within the industry but also in ancillary sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and construction. Local businesses, from caterers to lumber suppliers, have seen increased demand due to the steady stream of film and TV projects.
2. Infrastructure Development: To accommodate the growing number of productions, Georgia has seen substantial investment in infrastructure, including sound stages and postproduction facilities. This has not only supported current projects but has also made the state more attractive for future investments. As such Georgia is set to surpass California this year in sound stage square footage and number of sound stages.
3. Tourism Boost: The success of popular films and TV shows shot in
Georgia, such as "The Walking Dead " and the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, has also bolstered tourism. Fans frequently visit filming locations, contributing to the local economy. Trilith Studios, a production studio in Fayetteville County, has built an entire town around its studio. Due to the local growth seeded by the studio the US Soccer teams national training center has announced its headquarters will be in Fayetteville County. There are many other nearby announcements such as The Francis Ford Coppola Group’s new hotel concept to Peachtree City, just outside of Atlanta. The All-Movie Hotel promises an immersive cinematic experience for its guests.
4. Tax Mitigation – Many of the generated tax credits are sold and transferred to taxpayers to help offset their income taxes. This incentive is available for all income tax incurred by individuals and corporations. When deciding on a location to live or establish corporate offices, the opportunity to reduce taxes is a factor.
Cultural Enrichment
Beyond economic benefits, the Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program has enriched the cultural landscape of the state. The program has provided local filmmakers and artists with more opportunities to work on high-profile projects and has fostered a vibrant creative community. Moreover, it has positioned Georgia as a cultural leader, showcasing the state's diverse locations and talent to a global audience. This has leaked over to music and other forms of art.
Future Prospects
The future of the Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program looks promising, with continued interest from major studios and independent filmmakers alike. To maintain its
competitive edge, Georgia may need to consider updates to the program, such as enhancing workforce development initiatives and addressing any emerging industry trends. Some critics and Legislators have questioned the program. A recent study reports that the Tax Credit Program provides a justifiable economic benefit. Thus the industry is fighting to protect meddling of the program that might jeopardize the efforts over the last 16 years.
Conclusion
The Georgia Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program has transformed the st ate into a major player in the global entertainment industry. By offering substantial tax incentives, Georgia has attracted a plethora of film and TV productions, resulting in significant economic gains and cultural enrichment. While the program faces some challenges, its overall success underscores the potential for strategic tax incentives to drive industry growth and regional development. As Georgia continues to evolve as an entertainment hub, the Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program will remain a key component of its economic strategy.
Welcome, we come together as we do annually, to celebrate the best of television. But this year’s special; we’re celebrating a remarkable milestone - 50 Years of EMMY in the Southeast.
Evelyn Mims
Hosts: Monica Kaufman Pearson, Jorge Estevez, with Board of Governors Eric Ludgood
Jonathan Katz, 2024 Board Of Governor’s Award
Our Chapter, for 50 years, has showcased and celebrated “the best of the best” in our industry. When you reach for excellence, you grow taller and stronger. The skill and talent we see in each other’s work informs and inspires us to strive for excellence. The EMMY Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments among a community of your professional peers, and provide a step up for the next generation to achieve even greater feats.
In the past 50 years, we’ve seen tumultuous changes in our industry and in our workplaces - myriad changes that have no doubt affected us all. We rise to each new challenge, often unsure of what is on the horizon, but it’s our experience with each new project that makes us better able to face whatever is next.
As our world evolves toward evermore avenues for the consumption of news, information and entertainment, it is your opportunity to enrich our society with accurate and compelling media. Through your work you put forth your talents, your skills and your heart to better our world. Thank you.
On this occasion, special recognition goes out to one member who has been a steadfast supporter of the Southeast Chapter since its inception - Darryl Cohen. Over the past 50 years, he has served as president, vice-president, trustee, and legal chair. His contributors have ensured the health of the Southeast Chapter as well as NATAS national, where he served as president.
As we move forward, I urge you to lean on the NATAS Southeast Chapter to help remind you to greet the future with excitement - with hope - knowing that through sharing the triumphs and tribulations of the human story, you have what it takes to be a navigator to help make sense of our interconnected world.
Thank you, Evelyn Mims
President, NATAS Southeast Chapter
Life Time Service Award Darryl Cohen & Evelyn Mims Look at that emmy!
Joselyn Dorsey is a legendary Journalist. Atlanta’s first Black news anchor.
Looking Back
Few things over the past 50 years have defined the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences more than change. But there's also been one constant.
From the sound of typewriters, word processors and computers in the newsroom, to advances in video and microwave technology that ushered in a new era of newsgathering in the field, to the rise of the internet, digital journalism and, now, artificial intelligence, excellence has defined our chapter and its members.
“There is a legacy here," said Darryl Cohen, one of the chapter's founding members. "It has increased people's ability to be creative. It has expanded their ability and their reach and it has made a difference.”
In 1974, the general managers of several Atlanta television stations helped steer the early days of the chapter with the help of Cohen, the chapter's first legal chair, and Kathy Hardegree, who owned Atlanta Models & Talent for almost 40 years. “We would go from station to station every month and have a meeting, but people were always late because of the six o'clock news," said Cohen, who later became chapter vice president and president. "So we moved it to lunchtime to make it easier.”
The membership grew and over time drew professionals from local television stations across the region,
Atlanta News First - Team
Brendan Keefe is Chief Investigator for Atlanta News First Investigates. He's one of the most-decorated investigative reporters in the nation.
Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan honors
CNN and The Weather Channel. Cohen, an entertainment attorney and host on Turner, eventually became chair of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
“The EMMY statuette means excellence," said Cohen. "From various stations to CNN, the statuettes are out there where the public can see them. People feel proud because it means they have done good work.”
Moving Forward
The Southeast Chapter is one of 19 chapters throughout the United States identifying and celebrating television excellence at the local and regional level of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Our chapter represents television professionals from all disciplines of the industry in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina.
In addition to the EMMY® Awards, the chapter awards a crystal pillar to winners of the NATAS Student Production Awards and honors a lifetime of achievement to television pioneers by inducting them into the NATAS Gold & Silver Circle.
The Gold Circle honors 50 years or more of work in our industry in a performing, creative, technical or administrative position. The Silver Circle celebrates 25 years or more of work for people who have made significant contributions in the Southeast
region, extending beyond professional excellence and commitment to their craft. These talented people are a force in the community as well, as mentors, educators and volunteers.
The Southeast Chapter holds special events for its members throughout the year and as it celebrates its golden anniversary is looking forward to growing its relationship with its members across the region.
“This chapter believes in class and we are going to build on this over the next 50 years," said Cohen. "Our members reach for the stars and when you reach for the stars you sometimes win an EMMY or two.”
Donna Lowry is an award-winning journalist. She serves as host of GPB’s Lawmakers and Lawmakers: Beyond the Dome.
Monica Kaufman Pearson
Karyn Greer
honors Evelyn Mims, City Proclamation
