Several road closures could cause delays for drivers -- but film crews say it's worth the hassle
DRIVERS have been warned that they might face some car congestion for the next couple of hours.
Film crews have stopped traffic for a high-budget studio production.
Drivers should expect street closures in midtown Atlanta as crews wrap up filming for a new Tyler Perry series.
Atlanta's Tech Square -- which has numerous startups, corporate innovators, academic researchers, and students -- will be blocked off.
This includes some parking spaces on Ponce De Leon Avenue and sections of West Peachtree, Spring Street, and Williams Street, as reported by Cox Media Group's local Atlanta affiliate, WSBTV.
"We might have a few delays," the Director of Film and Entertainment for Atlanta's Mayor's Office, Cardellia Hunter, told Channel 2's Audrey Washington.
"We're excited to have Tyler Perry Studios on our streets," she said.
There will be full street closures from February 19 to 20 from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Spring St NW between 5th St NW and Ponce De Leon Ave NW as well as Williams St between 5th St and Spring St NW.
Additionally, there will be full street closures on February 19 to 20 from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. on W Peachtree St NW between North Ave and 6th St.
3rd St NE between Cypress St and Dead End will also be closed during that time frame.
Atlanta drivers should steer clear of Cypress St and Williams St NW, Armstead Pl NW between W Peachtree St NW and Spring St NW, and finally 5th St NW between West Peachtree St NW and Spring St NW.
There will also be certain lanes that drivers will not be able to access during this period due to production.
Film enthusiasts are excited for production to resume in Georgia after a necessary hiatus due to the writer's strike.
"It's just not coming back. It is back," said Atlanta Film Society's marketing director, Laura Williamson.
"You have the resources, you have the equipment, you have the versatility of Georgia. As a state you can go to the beach, you can go to the mountains, you can go to the city," Williamson said.
"Georgia as a landscape is very diverse and that enables diverse storytelling," she added.
Several notable TV shows have been filmed in the state including "The Vampire Diaries," "Stranger Things," "Forrest Gump," and "The Blind Side."
The Georgia Film Office reported that film and television productions spent over $2.5 billion during fiscal year 2024 and $11 billion over the last three fiscal years.
The state hosted over 270 productions las summer, including "25 feature films, 30 independent films, 37 commercials, and 15 music videos," as reported by Georgia's Department of Economic Development.
"Following tremendous post-pandemic growth, the direct spend numbers from the past two fiscal years show the market beginning to adjust to new norms," the website read.
"At the beginning of the fiscal year, there was a union work stoppage, and productions were on hiatus."
"In spite of the potential of additional strikes in 2024, Georgians worked with productions to bring billions of dollars in direct spend to the state, supporting thousands of industry jobs and small businesses," they added.