The Boom

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 have a conversation with Frank Patterson, president and CEO of Trilith Studios.

Plus, WABE digital editor, Kenny Murry, joins to talk about his list of Black history productions filmed in Georgia.

Mentioned this episode:

Usher is developing a new TV show

Tyler Perry’s forthcoming series “Beauty in Black”

“The Madness” resumes production in Atlanta

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Riley Draper also joins the show to talk about her new docuseries “James Brown: Say It Loud.” The series, which was produced by Questlove and Mick Jagger, debuts on A&E February 19th & 20th at 8pm.

Mentioned this episode:

Will Trent Season 2 starts February 20th

The Color Purple streaming on Max

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 McStuffins,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.” Gary shares his acting origin story, going from Fayetteville to Atlanta to Los Angeles, and explains how he incorporates family and community into his role as “Pops” in the animated Disney series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.”

Mentioned this episode:

Delta partners with African American Film Critics Association

Actor Carl Weathers died January 30

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 this episode:

Now filming in Georgia

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Nathan Deal’s op-ed in the AJC

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Rodney Ho on the return of Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” as well as Tyler Perry’s upcoming BET+ show “Perimeter,” and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Jermaine Johnson talks about “American Fiction’s” Oscar nominations.

Mentioned this episode:

SB 366

Rodney Ho’s reporting on “Rhythm + Flow” as well as “Perimeter”

WABE’s “Sounds Like ATL”

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 continues, Jewel has the latest winners, including a few projects filmed in Atlanta.

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, awards season is here and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, joins to talk about the Golden Globes and Emmys.

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 why she was drawn to her character, Lilly Harper, and Shay Bentley-Griffin shares her experience casting for “I’ll Fly Away” and what work was like in the Georgia’s film and TV industry during the eighties and nineties.

If you have a moment, please vote for The Boom to win the Anthem Awards’ Community Voice Award.

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and how the GFA adjusts their curriculum to address the changing production landscape as technologies evolve.

Mentioned this episode:

SAG-AFTRA members vote to approve new contract

Deadline Interview with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland

Juror #2 scheduled to finish production in Savannah

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

“Reasonable Doubt” show moves production to Atlanta

Kevin Hart’s “Die Hart” season three wraps

This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen.

For more information, visit wabe.org/theboom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.