Atlanta has emerged as a powerhouse in the film and television production industry, earning its reputation as the Hollywood of the South. With the state of Georgia hosting 273 productions between July 2023 and June 2024, and film productions spending $2.6 billion during fiscal year 2024, the demand for executive-level leadership in this sector has never been more critical. As the industry continues to expand despite recent challenges, specialized executive search firms are playing an increasingly vital role in connecting production companies, studios, and entertainment corporations with the leadership talent necessary to navigate this complex and evolving landscape.
The Scale of Atlanta’s Production Industry
The growth of Atlanta’s film industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the film tax incentive was revised in 2008, stage space has increased from 45,000 square feet in 2010 to more than 4.5 million in 2024, making Georgia second in the United States for stage space. This expansion includes major facilities such as Tyler Perry Studios, Trilith Studios, Assembly Atlanta, and Lionsgate Studios Atlanta, representing a combined total of 4.4 million square feet of soundstage space across the state.
“The infrastructure development in Atlanta has created unprecedented opportunities for executive talent,” said Jim Hickey, President Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, Atlanta headhunters. “We’re seeing production companies seeking not just creative executives, but also operational leaders who understand the complexities of managing multi-million dollar facilities and coordinating large-scale productions in a competitive market.”
The state’s commitment to the industry extends beyond physical infrastructure. The Georgia Film Academy provides workforce development, while the Georgia Film Office maintains a comprehensive locations database and provides scouting assistance. This ecosystem supports nearly 60,000 jobs statewide, with over 5,000 technicians and crew members in metro Atlanta alone. The industry’s high wages, averaging well above state medians, have attracted a skilled workforce that requires sophisticated leadership to maximize productivity and creative output.
Executive Search Challenges in a Shifting Market
Despite Georgia’s ranking as the number one state for film production by Business Facilities Magazine, the industry faces significant headwinds. Production spending in Georgia dropped from $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2022 to $2.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, reflecting broader industry contractions following the Hollywood strikes and changing market dynamics. The number of productions decreased substantially, with major studio feature films declining from 31 to 25, independent films from 55 to 30, and television productions from 241 to 166 during this period.
“The contraction has fundamentally changed what production companies are looking for in their executive teams,” Hickey explained. “There’s a premium on leaders who have successfully navigated downturns, optimized budgets without sacrificing quality, and maintained strategic partnerships during uncertain times. Companies need executives who can do more with less while positioning for the anticipated rebound.”
The competitive landscape has intensified as productions increasingly relocate to Canada and Europe for financial incentives and lower labor costs. This shift has made executive recruitment more challenging, as companies seek leaders who can leverage Georgia’s competitive advantages while implementing cost-control measures. Executives with experience in international productions, tax incentive optimization, and multi-jurisdictional operations have become particularly valuable in this environment.
The Evolution of Executive Roles
The executive positions in Atlanta’s film industry have evolved significantly beyond traditional studio management roles. Modern production facilities require leadership teams with diverse expertise spanning real estate development, technology integration, financial structuring, and creative operations. The rise of streaming platforms and changes in content distribution have created demand for executives who understand both traditional theatrical releases and digital-first content strategies.
“We’re recruiting for positions that didn’t exist five years ago,” said Hickey. “Companies need Chief Content Officers who understand algorithm-driven audience preferences, Vice Presidents of Production who can manage virtual production technology, and CFOs who specialize in entertainment tax credits and incentive programs. The skill sets required have become highly specialized, making traditional recruitment approaches insufficient.”
Studio executives must also navigate the complexities of maintaining occupancy rates during industry fluctuations. With many facilities experiencing lower bookings compared to peak years, leadership teams are implementing innovative strategies such as hosting their own productions, investing in content companies, and diversifying revenue streams. Companies like Trilith Studios have launched content divisions to ensure consistent facility utilization, requiring executives with entrepreneurial vision and risk management capabilities.
Strategic Recruitment in a Competitive Talent Market
The specialized nature of executive roles in film production requires recruitment firms with deep industry connections and understanding of both creative and business operations. Successful executive searches in this sector demand comprehensive knowledge of production cycles, distribution channels, financing structures, and the rapidly evolving technology landscape affecting everything from pre-production to post-production workflows.
“The best candidates aren’t actively looking for opportunities,” Hickey noted. “They’re currently leading successful operations in Los Angeles, New York, or internationally. Our approach involves relationship-building over years, not months, to understand career trajectories and identify when executives might be receptive to opportunities in Atlanta’s market. The pitch isn’t just about the role, it’s about the region’s growth potential and quality of life advantages.”
Executive compensation packages in Atlanta’s film industry have become increasingly sophisticated, often including equity positions, profit participation, and performance incentives tied to facility utilization rates or project greenlight success. Recruitment firms must structure competitive offers that account for the cost-of-living differences between Atlanta and traditional entertainment hubs while highlighting the career advancement opportunities available in a rapidly growing market.
Looking Toward Recovery and Growth
Industry experts anticipate production activity will increase by late 2025, driven by new studio developments and a pipeline of projects that were delayed during the strikes. Georgia’s planned investments of nearly $3 billion for 2024-2027 are projected to expand stage space to 7 million square feet by the end of 2025, surpassing all other states and potentially creating an additional 15,400 jobs with $5.7 billion in economic impact.
“The companies making strategic executive hires now will be positioned to capitalize on the recovery,” said Hickey. “Forward-thinking organizations are building leadership teams during the downturn, knowing that when production volume rebounds, having experienced executives already in place will provide a significant competitive advantage. This is about playing the long game in talent acquisition.”
The future of executive search in Atlanta’s film industry will likely emphasize adaptability, technological proficiency, and proven crisis management capabilities. As the industry continues to evolve with artificial intelligence, virtual production, and changing audience consumption patterns, the executives who can navigate these transitions while maintaining creative excellence will be in highest demand. For production companies and studios operating in the Hollywood of the South, securing this leadership talent remains the critical factor in long-term success and market positioning.
As Georgia celebrates 50 years of the Georgia Film Office and looks toward the future, the region’s continued prominence in film and television production will depend significantly on attracting and retaining executive talent capable of leading through transformation. The partnership between specialized recruitment firms and production companies will prove essential in building the leadership teams that will shape the next chapter of Atlanta’s entertainment industry story.
