We are glad to see the film industry back up and running and, once again, filming in
Peachtree Corners. We have had 13 requests from production studios so far this
year, which is about the same as in 2019. Obviously, 2020 was a bust, with only one
Capital 1 commercial in January.
But the industry is winding back up, which is good to see. Blue Cat Productions
filmed in Peachtree Corners six times over the past year. You may know their work:
the series Ozark. The series Monarch also filmed in Peachtree Corners this past
summer, and most recently ABC Signature, a subsidiary of Disney Television
Studios, filmed some shots for the series Queens at The Forum shopping center.
A representative from Disney toured City Hall on Nov. 18 for another series.
Apparently, they are interested in filming a new series that involves an FBI agent.
They were looking for a meeting room with “gray government walls.” It’s called
Class of 09 and it’s an FX/Hulu miniseries about the FBI that follows agents in the
years 2009, 2019, and 2065. It is under the Disney umbrella since they own Fox,
who owns FX. They need to make the front of City Hall look like Arizona, however,
which could be interesting.
We mentioned to the Disney folks that if they don’t get exactly what they are
looking for, we do have an extended reality production studio in town that I’m sure
could give them a hand, Music Matters Productions. A lot of people know about
Eagle Rock Studios in Gwinnett County, near Norcross, but they may not realize all
the film activity taking place in Peachtree Corners.
We like to have film crews here because they often bring with them a lot of people
who need to eat and need a place to stay. This benefits our hotels and restaurants.
So, our city staff strives to review film permit applications the same day they are
received. Sometimes we have questions, like “Are you going to blow up any stuff?”
Ozark used some pyrotechnics a few years ago in Technology Park when they were
blowing the windows out of a building. Obviously, we don’t want residents or
businesses to be disturbed, which is why we like the studios to let us know when
they are planning to do some filming here. In fact, we require it, actually. We
require that neighbors be notified and that police officers be on hand for any road
closures to help direct traffic. On occasion, we have had to say “no” because it
would be too disruptive to people or businesses or create safety concerns. But
overall, I think Peachtree Corners has a pretty good reputation for being
accommodating to the film industry.
If you have some vacant space in a shopping center or office building, the film
studios may be interested in renting it for a few months, perhaps longer. Our staff
can get you connected with the right people if you are interested in leasing space to
Disney or other studios. Just take some photos of the building, inside and out, and
send them to our economic development staff. Maybe the film studios will give
Peachtree Corners a mention at the end of the flick.
Stay safe, Mike Mason, Mayor
Source: Mayor’s Letter
