How “Heartbeat” Abortion Law Could Affect Georgian Film Industry – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA – Georgia’s pending abortion law has the potential to oust some of the state’s booming film industry.

Some people in Hollywood are urging the industry to leave Georgia over the “heartbeat” abortion law.

With Georgia’s film industry bigger than ever, Atlanta’s status as “Hollywood of the South” may be in question.

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“I think there’s going to be some people who work in the industry who say they’re absolutely not going to film in Georgia,” Kennesaw State University economics professor JC Bradbury told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon.

Director Nicholas Stoller previously filmed in Georgia, but he said “no more” with a since-deleted tweet that read, “Hey Hollywood, no more filming in Georgia.”

Bradbury says while some in Hollywood may boycott the state over the abortion law, he believes other film productions will stay in Georgia because the state’s tax credit is just too good.

“The reason the film industry is in Georgia is because Georgia pays the industry to film here. So the tax credits really give the film industry a 30% discount when they shoot here. So if you shoot a $10 million movie, you get $3 million off shooting in Georgia,” Bradbury explained.

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When the Heartbeat Act was first passed in 2019, many in Hollywood called on the film industry to boycott Georgia. The law was eventually struck down by a court.

Another court is expected to give the green light to legislation that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which usually takes around six weeks.

Wilfon asked the Georgia Film Office for an interview, but they declined. They released a statement which read:

Georgia is the premier location for film and television production and we will continue to focus on the things that have made us successful and resulted in record-breaking results in the state.

— Georgia Film Office

Bradbury says moving production to places like New York and California would cost the industry millions, which he says seriously challenges their move from the Peach State.

“It’s a pretty costly stance, so it’s going to be interesting to see if film companies are really willing to give up those lower shooting costs,” Bradbury said.

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Wilfon reached out to Stoller, who said he loved filming in Atlanta. He just doesn’t like the abortion law.

Georgia politicians speak out on Heartbeat abortion law

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