The Boom

When he isn’t busy leading university courses on directing and screenwriting, Booker T. Mattison is making films. The University of Georgia professor and filmmaker talks about working in film and TV in Georgia and how he applies lessons learned from the industry to the classroom. Booker’s recent projects include “ The Sound of Christmas ” on BET+ and “ Twisted Marriage Therapist ” on Tubi. Plus, a...

For the final episode of 2023, a special look back at the television show “I’ll Fly Away,” which filmed in Georgia from 1990-1993 and thoughtfully tackled issues related to race, racism, family, and more. WABE digital editor Kenny Murry reflects on how he discovered the show and what he heard from cast and crew when interviewing them for his retrospective last year . Actress Regina Taylor explains...

The State of Georgia is all in on workforce development for TV and film production. C. Scott Votaw , assistant vice chancellor with the University System of Georgia, explains how the Georgia Film Academy (GFA), which he leads, trains Georgians in a variety of film and TV careers. Scott shares how you can take GFA courses, the GFA’s work with unions and production companies to provide internships,...

There is no one path to a career in the film and TV industry. Writer Brian Egeston had an entire career as an engineer before diving headfirst into writing for TV. Brian talks about going from the intense schedule of shows like “House of Payne” to the pace of NBC series “Perfect Harmony,” as well as the feature film “On a Wing and a Prayer.“ Mentioned this episode: SAG-AFTRA contract details “Reas...

What’s in the new SAG-AFTRA contract? What resources are there for union members to learn more and make an informed vote? SAG-AFTRA board member Shaan Sharma talks with Jewel about the contract, his reservations surrounding AI agreements, and how the strike strengthened the union. Mentioned this episode: Atlanta Local contract informational meeting on 11/21 (in-person) SAG-AFTRA voting is open thr...

With SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP having reached a tentative agreement to end the actor’s strike after a record-breaking 118 days, national and local SAG-AFTRA board member Shaan Sharma shares his thoughts and breaks down important details of the agreement. Listen to Jewel’s full conversation with Shaan in Friday’s episode. This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additio...

Georgia’s film tax credit is just one example of the many tools available to municipalities that want to encourage and support film and TV production. LaRonda Sutton, founder of Entertainment.gov , joins to talk about how her consulting firm works with local governments to help streamline production. LaRonda also shares how she transitioned from working in music to film and TV.   Mentioned in...

How does Atlanta come to life on screen? Lane closures, neighborhood meetings, public safety, workforce development – these are just a few of the areas Cardellia Hunter oversees during a typical week. As the director of film and entertainment for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office , Cardellia plays an integral role in cultivating and supporting Atlanta’s film and TV industry. Cardellia joins Jewel...

As SAG-AFTRA works to negotiate a new contract with the AMPTP, they’re looking to update self-taped audition rules , a method of auditioning that casting director, consultant, and coach Erica S. Bream is very familiar with. Erica talks with Jewel Wicker about those rules, how the audition process has changed over the years, and shares some tips for those starting out in the film and TV industry. M...

With offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Toronto, production and talent management company 3 Arts Entertainment added an Atlanta location in 2022. Manger and producer Jermaine Johnson heads up that office and joins Jewel Wicker to talk about why they wanted an Atlanta Location, the local talent they’ve signed, and some of their upcoming projects. Mentioned this episode: Glamour Profiles Mil...

The production landscape for documentary films in Atlanta looks different from that of narrative features and TV. Jewel Wicker discusses those differences with Anjanette Levert , a filmmaker, producer, director, and professor at Spelman College. They also talk about “ The Only Doctor ,” a documentary Anjanette produced about the sole working doctor in Clay County, Georgia.  Plus, WABE’s Rahul...

Working a second or even third gig is not unusual for folks in the film and TV industry. When a strike or two brings production to a standstill, those gigs become a lifeline for workers, which is why actor and barber David Alexander created the website Talent Supporting Talent . Jewel sits down with David to talk about the importance of a side hustle for film and TV workers and how his website hel...

From appearing as Peaches on Outkast albums and managing Organized Noize Production to record promotion at Capitol Records and serving as the “free money lady” on Atlanta’s V-103 radio station, Dee Dee Murray has had a storied career in Atlanta’s arts and entertainment scenes. Jewel talks with Dee Dee about how she got started in the music industry before moving into film and TV and working on bot...

It took losing a job she’d held for 20 years at a sheet music company for costumer Kenya Morgan to enter the film and TV economy. Kenya sits down with Jewel to talk about how the Georgia Film Academy helped make that transition possible and the experience of being a costumer in the industry. Mentioned in this episode: Comedian Roy Wood, Jr. on City Lights with Lois Reitzes Ruth E. Carter in Atlant...

Dr. Jose Marquez, co-founder of the Georgia Latino International Film Festival , joins Jewel for a discussion about the festival’s past, present, and future. One of the goals of the festival is to increase the Latino presence in all aspects of film and TV, from acting and directing to financing and producing. Mentioned this episode: Fran Drescher's re-election Spectrum reaches carriage agreement w...

Jewel talks with actress, producer, and co-founder of North Rose Pictures , Emily Rose , about her production company, acting, and how she’s navigated through a pandemic and two strikes. Jewel, Emily and producer Kevin also share their favorite television and film remakes. Mentioned this episode: The Little Mermaid The Other Black Girl Film Festivals in Georgia Have a question for The Boom? Email...

Screenwriter Topher Payne joins Jewel to talk about how the Writers Guild of America strike is impacting him, both professionally and personally. Find all of the works that Topher discusses on his website . Jewel also shares how listeners can list their Georgia home to be a possible filming location.   Mentioned this episode: Hollywood Reporter on AMPTP proposal Letter from the WGA to members...

Jewel sits down with Kathleen Bertrand, executive producer of BronzeLens Film Festival . Kathleen discusses the origins of the festival, the necessity of diversity behind and in front of the camera, and what’s on tap for this year’s festival, running now through August 27. Jewel also covers how the strikes are impacting productions in Georgia and other industry news. This episode of The Boom was p...

The Boom is here. In our first episode, Jewel speaks with the current and former presidents of the SAG-AFTRA Atlanta chapter, Eric Goins and Mike Pniewski. Eric and Mike give updates and discuss the larger meaning of the current strike, explaining how it impacts local actors and artists. Jewel also shares how she got here and covers this week’s biggest industry news stories. Thanks for joining us...

Atlanta on Film: The Podcast is now The Boom, a weekly look at Atlanta’s growing film and television industry, through trending topics and origin stories of local filmmakers, cast, and crew. Hosted by entertainment and culture reporter Jewel Wicker, The Boom premieres on Friday, August 18. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern day lynching, preserving your family's legacy and getting out of a rut. Hosts Brianna Carr and Alphonso Whitfield look at three short films from the last episode of Atlanta On Film's first season. Yasmin Neal's " Target Practice ," Gabrielle Morse's "Bug Hill" and "Blue Jay" from Andre McCoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doing the work, even when the odds are stacked against you. Hosts Alphonso Whitfield and Brianna Carr discuss "It Is Well," a documentary about the Reverend Doctor Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr . by filmmaker Bennie R. Mitchell, III. and Eddie G.'s short film "Guilty Until Proven Innocent," about a black man who has been arrested for killing a police officer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

The impact of speaking up. Hosts Brianna Carr and Alphonso Whitfield talk about two documentaries. " The Defenders " from Roderick Red and Sarah Campbell plus another film from Hal Jacobs , " Lillian Smith: Breaking The Silence ." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mom overcomes her prejudice. Offering college courses to people in Georgia's prisons. Hosts Alphonso Whitfield and Brianna Carr take a look at Harrison Chandler's short film "Perception" and talk about the documentary " Common Good Atlanta: Breaking Down The Walls Of Mass Incarceration " from Hal Jacobs . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding courage and finding love. Hosts Brianna Carr and Alphonso Whitfield talk about the short film " Read Between The Lines " from Adante Watts and Cindy L. Abel's documentary " Surviving The Silence ." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.