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DeKalb County Georgia. Source: Google Maps.

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Dear Decaturish,

We’re moving towards putting a “wrap” on 2018 and for DeKalb County residents, there’s never been a better year to launch a career in the entertainment industry!

December ends the first full year of the DeKalb Entertainment Commission. But before the holidays hit, we’re offering a series of workshops on Dec. 1. Three classes at Lakeside High School will focus on building careers in film and television (details via this link.)

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Throughout the year we’ve offered dozens of classes in film, tv, music, and gaming. Those have included options that focused on the basics, understanding how a film or TV show is made and crafting your resume, and also more advanced production and writing classes.

It’s been a year full of great offerings for residents, companies and professionals. Our goal for the year was to improve employment in our entertainment sector and be recognized as a great place where people can connect with resources, collaborate with talented professionals, and create outstanding content.

We’ve been expanding the visibility of our resources across film, television, music and digital entertainment. Some of our highlights for this year have included:

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• Music – We partnered with ChooseATL and held a music competition for local artists. The winner got to attend the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, where she performed for an audience from around the world. The city’s music industry leaders also came together in a Music Roundtable we hosted to discuss ways to boost opportunities.
• Film – We brought hundreds of students to a special screening of the new Black Panther movie and our team talked with them about the film and opportunities in the industry.
• Gaming – eSports is fast becoming a huge industry in Georgia. This year we’ve offered classes on the eSports basics, livestreaming and shoutcasting.

A focused public relations and marketing campaign has told our story across Georgia. Our annual Entertainment Expo in November drew more than 300 people to learn and enjoy panels, workshops, one-on-one mentor sessions, pitch opportunities, industry vendors, and, of course, productive networking!

We’ve worked with our elected officials to talk about these opportunities at Town Hall Meetings, festivals and events throughout the county.

Get Your Home in a Movie!

For those who want to get their homes or businesses on TV or the silver screen, we rolled out a new Location Mapping resource this year. Homeowners and businesses can showcase their properties as potential locations and location scouts can easily secure locations and permits through this online resource. The online portal is accessible at DeKalbEntertainment.com and works with any mobile device.

The system allows location scouts a one-stop portal to find, secure and pay for ideal sites throughout the county for film, television and commercial productions. It streamlines permitting and approvals through every county department involved in the process.

By the Numbers

$178,253 in County film permit revenue since June 2016; $75,631 YTD (thru October) film permit revenue

Productions

• 174 Film Permit applications in 2018 (thru October)
• Feature Films: Superfly, Shaft, Jungle Cruise, Haunting of Hill House
• TV: Black Lightning, The Passage, Doom Patrol

2018 Academy Award Nominated Movies Filmed in DeKalb

• Baby Driver
• I, Tonya (Best Supporting Actress Win for Allison Janney)
• DeKalb Elementary School (Live Action Short Film)

2018 Grammy Award Nominated Artists with DeKalb Connections

• Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover (Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Redbone”)
• 6lack

Economic Impact

• DeKalb County economic impact $1.98 Billion in 2016
• 5,689 jobs generated an additional 8,711 jobs
• Every job generates 1.45 additional jobs in ancillary industries
• 12 percent job growth estimated for 2018
• Job Growth amongst Writers, Artists, Performers

Keep checking our website at www.DeKalbEntertainment.com for the latest opportunities!

– Shelbia Jackson, Director, DeKalb Entertainment Commission

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