Oconee Designated As "Camera Ready"

Film and television producers may take a closer look at Oconee County now that it has been named "Camera Ready."

Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office made the announcement on March 21. Oconee County is one of 73 Georgia counties to receive the distinction. Barrow and Gwinnett were also included.

"The economic impact of production activity increased 440 percent between fiscal years 2007 and 2010, surging to $1.4 billion," a news release stated. "Georgia is now among the top five states in the nation for film and TV production with more than 335 productions shot in Georgia in fiscal year 2010 bringing in more than $759.3 million in investment to Georgia."

The designation means film and television production crews looking to shoot footage for various projects may consider Oconee County businesses, government buildings, and private and public facilities as possible sites. 

"Oconee has a number of intriguing locations from rural settings to public facilities to parks and buildings," Rusty Haygood, Director of Oconee County Economic Development, said.

Haygood, who is Oconee's Camera Ready Liaison,  said the community would benefit in many ways if the film industry chooses to come to Oconee because cast and crew would frequent local restaurants and hotels.  Tourist groups that enjoy seeing where movies and television shows are made would also likely stop through, he said, which would boost the local economy.

The application process began at the end of 2010, Haygood said, and involved collecting a gallery of photographs and description of suitable locations from around the county.

The picturesque scenery at may attract film producers.  The venue, which hosts many events and a Concert on the Lawn series each year, is included in the inventory.

is another location on Oconee's Camera Ready list because of the park’s playground, picnic and barbecue pavilions, and waterfalls, the georgia.org website notes.

To his knowledge, Oconee has yet to be featured on the silver screen, but the appeared in the Drive-By Truckers Go-Go Boots Episodes.  Although the project did not result from the Camera Ready initiative, Haygood said it helps draw Hollywood's attention to Oconee County.

"Over the past couple of weeks, inquires from the state film office have been coming in," he said.

Anyone who has a property that he or she would like to add to the database to be accessed by the Georgia Film, Music & Entertainment Division should contact Haygood at (706) 310- 3522 or by e-mail at rhaygood@oconee.ga.us.