The Boom

In addition to his work as the senior vice president of scripted programming at Tyler Perry Studios , Mark E. Swinton produces and writes on shows like “Sistas” and “House of Payne.” Mark talks with Jewel about his move from theatre into television, relocating from Los Angeles to Atlanta to work for Tyler Perry, and what fans of the studio can look forward to thanks to the TPS deal with Netflix. &...

When film programmer Millie De Chirico was on The Boom , we asked her what cult films she recommended that had an Atlanta connection. One of the recommendations was Michael J. Paradise’s “ The Visitor ,” a sci-fi, horror romp through the heart of Atlanta. Millie returns to The Boom to discuss the film with Jewel, Ian Deaton (composer, writer, and musician who also happens to work at Videodrome) ,...

Actor Glynn Turman’s career has spanned the majority of his life and that means he’s able to bring lived experience into many of his roles. After starring in the original Broadway production of  “A Raisin in the Sun,” he’s gone on to act in many TV series and films. “A Different World,” “The Wire,” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” are just a few examples. His latest role is playing Walter...

Visual effects producer Matt Akey knows he’s done his work effectively if you never notice that he touched a film or TV show in the first place. From “Creed III” and “The Holdovers” to “The Boys” and “West World,” he’s worked on an array of projects requiring different kinds of imaging. Akey talks about his visual effects work and his path to becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Crafty Apes , a VFX...

Millie De Chirico got her start in the film and television industry at Turner Broadcasting in the programming department. From there, she programmed “TCM Underground,” which broadcast cult classics and late-night films. These days, she co-hosts the podcast “ I Saw What You Did ,” dissecting films every episode and is teaching about film as an adjunct professor. Millie shares exactly what a film pr...

Film Pitch ATL is a monthly event where all levels of filmmakers at any point in the creative process can go to pitch their project to a panel of industry experts receiving feedback in real time - in front of a live audience.  There’s also ample opportunity to meet other people working in or exploring the industry. The Boom visited an event earlier this year and talked with attendees, pitcher...

Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Arts Society goes far beyond music. From fashion and literature to film and TV, they’re working to tell stories across all mediums. Chuck Lightning , co-founder and creative director of Wondaland, talks about the expansion into film and TV. Then, musicians Nate Wonder and Roman GianArthur provide a glimpse into the execution of that expansion, sharing their approach to co...

Actress Tiffany Elle Burgess (The Color Purple, The Wonder Years) has only been acting since 2020 but has already found herself in some big productions. Notably, she played Olivia, Celie’s biological daughter, in the 2023 musical adaptation of “ The Color Purple .” Tiffany explains how writing screenplays, before jumping into acting herself, has helped her become a better actor. She also talks abo...

What does pursuing a degree related to film and television look like? What can you actually study? SCAD students Grace Lawell , Jack Savage, and June Hauser share their experiences working toward degrees related to film and TV at the school and how Atlanta factors into their careers. Grace graduated in 2022 with a B.F.A in performing arts, June Hauser is a senior pursuing a B.F.A in film and telev...

Alpha Tyler got her start in casting as an intern on James Cameron’s “Titanic.” Since then, she’s worked on shows like “Martin” and as the casting director for Tyler Perry. Ready for a career change, Alpha became a professor of performing arts at SCAD in 2016 and is also the faculty adviser for SCAD’s Casting Office. Alpha talks about her career path and explains how SCAD’s Casting Office acts as...

Sean Albertson approaches editing film the way he does cooking a meal: Try a little of this, what should I add here, does all this work together? Sean shares his editing philosophy, working on the horror film “ Imaginary ,” and how he’s plugging in to the industry here after his recent move to Atlanta. Mentioned this episode: What’s filming in Georgia AJC on “Tulsa King” This episode of The Boom w...

The Civil War epic film “Gone with the Wind” premiered in Atlanta 85 years ago. Much like the book, it was met with critical acclaim and continues to be considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time. “Gone with the Wind” isn’t without problems, however. Morehouse College Professor Stephane Dunn and Georgia State University Professor Emeritus Tim Crimmins discuss the film’s problemati...

Legalized segregation was a system of discrimination put in place by whites in power, used to oppress Black Americans. Segregation during Jim Crow touched nearly every aspect of life in the American South, including movie theaters and the content of the films played therein. Film and media Scholar Nsenga Burton and Matthew Bernstein, professor of film and media studies at Emory, explore the histor...

The Georgia General Assembly's 2024 session ended on Thursday and HB1180, which proposed changes to the state's film tax credit, did not pass. WABE's business reporter Marlon Hyde has the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From zombie attacks to a white-tablecloth dinner, if an actor needs to eat something on screen, there’s a good chance a food stylist created something from an unexpected recipe. Food stylist Elizabeth Grove talks making edible blood, historically accurate food, and concoctions found only in science fiction for the screen. HB1180, the bill that would have made changes to Georgia’s film tax credit,...

The Georgia Film Office was created by former President Jimmy Carter in 1973, when he was governor of the state. Lee Thomas , Deputy Commissioner, has been at the Film Office since 1996, working to bring film and television productions to the state. Lee explains how she and her team accomplish that mission and tells the story of how the Film Office and film scene in Georgia have changed during her...

When composer EmmoLei Sankofa moved to Los Angeles to begin her career in film and TV composition, things didn’t flow quite as smoothly as she hoped. EmmoLei shares her story of working and making important connections in Los Angeles, and then moving back to Atlanta, where she would become an NAACP Image Award nominated composer for her work on “The Other Black Girl.” Some of EmmoLei’s other credi...

With proposed changes to Georgia’s film tax credit making their way through the state legislature as HB 1180 , film accountant Jessica Feder believes that the film and TV industry here could look drastically different in the next decade. Jessica talks about her work as a film accountant and shares her concerns with the proposed changes to the state’s film tax credit. Mentioned this episode: BMF Se...

Shay Bentley Griffin is one of those people in the industry who can say they helped make the Georgia’s film and TV industry what it is today. From casting on early shows like “ I’ll Fly Away ,” to working to create the film tax credit, Shay never gave up on making the state a viable location for a film or TV production. She talks about the early days of film and TV in Georgia, why she decided to s...

The second-largest film and TV production facility in the world is just over twenty miles from the heart of Downtown Atlanta, in Fayette County. Trilith Studios not only counts 32 sound stages (with two more on the way), the Georgia Film Academy, and all the functions of a one-stop production facility, it also includes the Town at Trilith . We head to the 1000-acre development for a tour and then...

Iyana Halley lived in Atlanta during high school and then began acting in Los Angeles but says, these days Atlanta is a great market to get your start. Halley talks about her starring role in “ One Night Stay ” from BET+, acting in “Beast” alongside Idris Elba, and the fan response she got after playing Taylor, Gregory’s girlfriend, on “Abbott Elementary.”   Atlanta-based filmmaker Deborah Ri...

Georgia state legislators have introduced a bill that would make changes to the state’s film tax credit. WABE business reporter Marlon Hyde talks with Jewel about House Bill 1180 . One thing you can’t say about Gary Anthony Williams is that he isn’t staying busy. From voice-acting to live-action, among his 256 (and counting) IMDB credits are “The Boondocks,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Doc McStuffin...

Mercedes Cook never thought she’d be a costume designer. Even though it wasn’t on her radar, she’s found success in the film & TV industry. Mercedes talks about designing costumes for Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, and other civil rights leaders for “ Genius: MLK/X ,” as well as her work on “ The Chi .” She also shares tips on how to get started in costuming. Mentioned...

Georgia’s state legislature is in session and Senate Bill 366 has been filed, which aims to make audits and economic analyses of tax credits, including the one for film productions, more visible. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali shares what he’s hearing at the state capitol as lawmakers hint at additional legislation that could make changes to the film tax credit. Plus, AJC entertainment reporter...

When it comes to the film and television industry, Rashidi Hendrix sees lots of potential for growth. The partner at Independent Artists Media explains what he sees as the next steps Atlanta’s industry must take to become an established market like Los Angeles or New York, how he stays creative as a manager, and shares lessons learned from the pandemic and two strikes. And, as awards season contin...