Written by on Oct 30, 2013. Posted in On Location

Georgia location filming boost likely with The Walking Dead renewal

Georgia is likely to get a location filming boost with the renewal of massively-successful TV zombie drama The Walking Dead. The show has spent four seasons filming in the state and consistently high audience ratings for the latest series have prompted a rapid renewal.

“This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast,” said Charlie Collier, president of the AMC network: “Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently - and most notably - with the season-four premiere earlier this month, which broke viewership records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history.”

The Walking Dead has had a troubled production history, losing original showrunner Frank Darabont when the budget was slashed after a stellar first season. Reshuffles among the creative team have since become commonplace, but while the quality of the writing dropped when Darabont's tenure ended, this hasn't affected the show's soaring popularity.

Georgia has been given a huge boost by The Walking Dead and the state’s support for the production industry - including a 20% location filming incentive - has turned it into one of the top filming hubs in the US.

This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast.

Charlie Collier, AMC

Recent major film productions have included Denzel Washington’s Flight, Clint Eastwood’s Trouble with the Curve and the upcoming Fast & Furious 7.

The state has also attracted international attention, with Pinewood Studios agreeing earlier this year to help develop a Pinewood Atlanta facility along with River’s Rock LLC.

“Georgia has excellent fiscal incentives and a great crew base,” explained Pinewood’s Ivan Dunleavy when the agreement was first announced in the spring: “With River’s Rock we have a well-resourced partner that is committed to building a first-class studio facility.”

(Photos: AMC)