Will Hollywood ‘Ban’ Georgia?

By Webmaster

  • Will Hollywood ‘Ban’ Georgia?

    The ‘Heartbeat Bill’ might end up killing the heartbeat of Georgia’s booming television and movie industry


    (by Carmichael Phillips)


    (Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash)

    Update: On July 13, 2020, U.S. District Judge, Steve Jones, permanently voided Georgia’s so-called Heartbeat Bill, finding that it violates the U.S. Constitution. Threats by Hollywood actors and producers to boycott the state of Georgia may not take place, after all.

  • The state of Georgia has become America’s third largest state for television and movie production, trailing only California and New York. But, thanks to the state’s new abortion law, dubbed the “Heartbeat Bill”, they might just lose it all.

    Years ago, Georgia began luring production companies into its borders by offering generous tax breaks of up to 30%. And it worked! In the past year, over 400 television shows and movies were filmed in the state of Georgia. The tax breaks, along with good weather and diverse terrain have made some dub Atlanta, Georgia, “the Hollywood of the South”.

    But that may all be about to change, thanks to the new, so-called Heartbeat Bill, signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on May 7. The law, officially called the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, is one of the most restrictive in the country, when it comes to abortion rights. The law bans abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy, which is typically when doctors can first detect a fetal heartbeat.

    The problem, critics argue, is that many women don’t even know they’re pregnant after 6 weeks. By the time they find out, it would be too late to have an abortion, based on the new law.

  • Hollywood threatens to ‘ban’ Georgia

    This new ban on abortion might end up creating a reactionary ban: Hollywood banning Georgia. Actors like Alyssa Milano, Alec Baldwin, and more than 50 other celebrities have threatened to boycott Georgia, and companies like Netflix have voiced reservations, signaling they might pull production from the state altogether if the law takes effect.


    (City of Atlanta)

    Disney CEO Bob Iger echoed Netflix, saying it would be “very difficult” to film in GA if the law takes effect. “I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard. Right now we are watching it very carefully,” Iger told Reuters.


    “I think many people who work for us will not want to work there (Georgia), and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard.”

    (Bob Iger, CEO of Disney)


    Others in the industry have stopped short of calling for a boycott. Actor and movie producer, Jordan Peele, argued that abortion rights advocates in the business should fight the law in court, and pledged to donate funds to that effort.

  • The effects of a boycott

    A large-scale boycott could cripple the state’s lucrative TV and movie business, estimated to be worth $9.5 billion. It would also put 90,000 industry-related jobs at risk. That includes actors, food workers and makeup artists, along with local businesses, such as restaurants and retailers.

    Will Georgia’s abortion ban cause Hollywood to effectively ‘ban’ Georgia from Hollywood’s entertainment industry and return many of those productions back to California? The answer will likely come in January, 2020, when the bill is set to go into effect.


    A large-scale boycott could cripple the state’s lucrative TV and movie business, estimated to be worth $9.5 billion.


    Already, some lawmakers in California are seeking to take advantage of the controversy, by considering tax incentives that might lure productions back to the state.

    The ‘Heartbeat Bill’, meant to protect what anti-abortion activists consider to be the life of a baby, might end up killing the heartbeat of Georgia’s booming television and movie industry, in the process.


  • You Might Also Like:
    Atlanta is Becoming the Hollywood of the South


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • Are 90% of Actors Unemployed?

    Are 90% of Actors Unemployed? The employment realities in the acting industry (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Sasun Bughdaryan | Unsplash) The notion that a vast majority of actors are unemployed is a pervasive…

    Question: Can you be an actor without a degree?

    Question: Can you be an actor without a degree? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Pavel Danilyuk | Pexels) In the dynamic world of acting, the question arises: Can you be an actor without a…

    Body language exercises for actors

    Body Language Exercises for Actors Mastering the Stage: Essential Body Language Exercises for Actors (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Aspiring actors understand the crucial role body language plays in delivering…

    Writing a Thank You Letter After an Audition

    Writing a Thank You Letter After an Audition A Guide to Writing a Thank You Letter After an Audition (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) After the curtain falls on your…

    What to Eat Before an Audition

    What to Eat Before an Audition Fueling Your Success (By Ray Reese) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Auditions are high-stress situations that demand focus, energy, and confidence. To perform at your best, it’s…

  • Ad

  • 10 Easy Ways for Actors to Reduce Stress

    10 Easy Ways for Actors to Reduce Stress Managing stress is essential for maintaining mental and physical well-being (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Acting is an exhilarating and demanding profession…

    Can Actors Have Braces?

    Can Actors Have Braces? Here’s what you need to know (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Alexander Grey | Pexels) For many aspiring actors, having braces may raise concerns about their appearance and potential impact…

    How Long Does It Take to Hear Back After I Submit My Self-tape?

    Question: How Long Does It Take to Hear Back After I Submit My Self-tape? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) The waiting period after submitting a self-tape audition can vary significantly…

  • Ad

  • 10 Essential Things Every Actor Should Have

    10 Essential Things Every Actor Should Have Success in acting is not just about talent (By Ray Reese) (Photo: Mizuno K | Pexels) Embarking on a career in acting requires more than just…

    What Every Actor Should Bring to Set

    What Every Actor Should Bring to Set Actors should come equipped with a range of essential items (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) Embarking on a film or television set is…

    Do I Need to Wear Makeup for a Self-Tape?

    Do I Need to Wear Makeup for a Self-Tape? To Wear or Not to Wear… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Shiny Diamond | Pexels) Self-tapes have become an integral part of the audition process…

    What are the Risks of Becoming an Actor?

    What are the Risks of Becoming an Actor? Navigating the Challenges in the Spotlight (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) Becoming an actor is a dream for many, but it’s a…

    What Does an Extra Do in Filmmaking?

    What Does an Extra Do in Filmmaking? Extras play a pivotal role in the world of filmmaking (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Pixabay | Pexels) In the world of filmmaking, there are many roles…

  • Ad

  • Which State Is Best for Pursuing an Acting Career?

    Which State is Best for Pursuing an Acting Career? It all depends on a number of different factors (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Paul Deetman | Pexels) The pursuit of an acting career often…

    Do Actors Really Drink While Filming?

    Do Actors Really Drink While Filming? The Use of Real Alcohol in Filmmaking (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Dylann Hendricks | Pexels) Watching characters enjoy a glass of wine, raise a toast with champagne,…

    What Happens If an Actor Can’t Remember Their Lines?

    What Happens If an Actor Can’t Remember Their Lines? Even the most seasoned actors occasionally forget their lines (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Chris Ainsworth | Unsplash) The world of acting is both thrilling…

  • Ad

  • What Makes Acting So Tough?

    What Makes Acting So Tough? Actors face numerous challenges that go beyond glitz and glamour (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Mike Greer | Pexels) Acting is often romanticized for its glamour and the allure…

    Do Actors Really Kiss While Filming?

    Do Actors Really Kiss While Filming? Lights, Camera, Kiss! The Art of On-Screen Romance (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Katie Salerno | Pexels) Romantic scenes, including passionate kisses, are a staple in film and…

    What Actors Do When They’re Not Acting

    What Actors Do When They’re Not Acting The life of an actor is not always about acting (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Christian Buehner | Unsplash) Actors, with their glamorous on-screen personas and compelling…

    Do Actors Need to Be Attractive?

    Do Actors Need to Be Attractive? There has been a growing shift towards valuing diversity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Sumit Kapoor | Pexels) The world of acting…

    How Long Does It Take for an Actor to Memorize a Scene?

    How Long Does It Take for an Actor to Memorize a Scene? The process of memorizing lines is a fundamental aspect of an actor’s craft (By Jim Webb) The process of memorizing lines…

  • Ad