Atlanta, GA
Is Atlanta still the ‘Hollywood of the South’? A film boomtown faces a test
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Ratledge used to make as much as $9,500 a week working on film sets around Atlanta. Now, he’s on food stamps.
The 48-year-old digital imaging technician moved from Indiana to Georgia in 2017 as studios — lured by generous tax credits — turned Atlanta into the “Hollywood of the South,” the backdrop for hundreds of productions like “The Hunger Games,” “Stranger Things” and more than a dozen Marvel blockbusters.
Ratledge said the work was grueling — 70-hour weeks were normal — but the $72-an-hour pay was transformative. “I paid off three years of back taxes in one year, just from the money I made,” says Ratledge, who worked on the Netflix movie “Red Notice,” as well as shows like TBS’ “Miracle Workers” and Starz’s “P-Valley.”
Those times are long gone: Ratledge has worked just four days on set since May 2024.
Instead, he’s been working part-time at the front desk of a local tennis center and stringing rackets on the side, trying somehow to support his family of four on $15 an hour without health insurance. His wife, a cancer survivor, has started cleaning houses a few days a week, and they’ve downsized their rental home. But their $2,000-a-month income hardly even covers their rent, a shortfall that has left Ratledge in debt and deeply depressed.
“All I want for Christmas is for my film career back,” Ratledge wrote on Instagram in December.
Georgia’s boom goes bust
After hitting a peak of $4.4 billion in 2022, spending on film and TV production in Georgia has tumbled, reaching just $2.3 billion in the last fiscal year, as total productions dropped from 412 in 2022 to 245 last year. The decline accelerated after the 2023 writers and actors strikes halted productions for months, dealing a blow to an industry still recovering from COVID-19 shutdowns.
“We saw a lot of productions start looking overseas, knowing that they wouldn’t have another work stoppage,” said Lee Thomas, the deputy commissioner of the Georgia Film Office. “We knew that it would be like a reset to the industry … but it certainly was a bigger, harder fall than we anticipated — and longer.”
Marvel has left Georgia’s market — its last movie filmed there was 2025’s “Thunderbolts” — and shifted its massive productions to the United Kingdom, where labor and production costs are cheaper. Streamers like Netflix are also increasingly filming abroad, while producing fewer shows in general. Other states, including California and Texas, have upped incentives to compete with Georgia’s tax credits, which can cover up to 30% of production costs.
Local industry Facebook groups are filled with complaints about a lack of work, with some people griping about well-established veterans taking up the few jobs available, said Monique Younger, an Atlanta costume supervisor. Younger says her work is less than half what it once was, making her “feel a little bit useless.”
Jen Farris, an Atlanta native and longtime location scout, said she used to reject offers because she had too much work. Now, she’s navigating two- or three-month gaps in between projects, forcing her to “watch her pennies.”
“You just pray that you have nested away enough to float a little bit,” she said.
Training crews for an uncertain future
Despite the bleak landscape, Shadowbox Studios, one of metro Atlanta’s largest soundstage operators, is betting on the area’s future and has urged local filmmakers and industry leaders to rethink what’s possible.
Shadowbox has been pitching its mammoth spaces to everyone from indie filmmakers to content creators and esports organizers. But it also wants to make sure the city’s crew base remains robust.
Atlanta has for years served as the country’s “antidote” to Hollywood blockbusters moving overseas, said Shadowbox COO Mike Mosallam, pointing to the city’s experienced crews, comparatively lower production costs, extensive soundstage space and diverse landscapes. Keeping that talent pipeline strong is key to keeping more productions from leaving, he said.
In November, Shadowbox hosted about 25 Black college students for Backlot Academy, a program launched in 2022 to diversify the ranks of professions where personal connections often determine who gets hired.
Veteran crew members taught the participants how to decipher call sheets, use walkie-talkie lingo and survive 12-hour days on their feet. Participants could enroll for free in a multiweek digital course on the ins and outs of production and get mentorship as they try to book their first gig.
Trainee Julian Williams grew up in Atlanta and watched his city become a playground for Hollywood. One of the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movies was even filmed on his street. Now a 24-year-old digital media student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Williams is determined to break into the industry as a production assistant, with the hope of one day becoming an assistant director.
He’s prepared to follow his film dreams wherever they lead, but for now, he’s betting on Atlanta and its collaborative film community.
“People are genuinely helpful and willing to share what they know,” Williams said.
Among those helping Williams and the other trainees was Joseph Jones, a Backlot alumnus who credits Shadowbox with helping him embark on a rewarding career as a production assistant. “It changed my life,” said Jones, 53, who spent years working in hotels but always knew he wanted to work on films.
But Shadowbox officials aren’t downplaying reality: The industry is down, especially in Atlanta. On the day of the training, just one of Shadowbox’s nine soundstages was booked for a production, said Jeremiah Cullen, director of sales.
Cullen said Shadowbox has been forced to adapt, cutting deals to meet filmmakers’ budgets while frequently calling former clients to see how they can fit their needs.
“Hey, we miss you on the lot,” he tells them. “You got anything cooking?”
Searching for a reset
Ratledge grew up loving movies, too, especially when, as a 9-year-old, he saw his rural Indiana town of Milan immortalized in 1986’s “Hoosiers.” He has continued to reach out to his network, but he’s ready to move on.
Ratledge said he isn’t looking for a miracle — just one steady TV job that would give him breathing room to stabilize his finances and figure out his next move. A five- or six-month series, he said, would allow him to restore his health insurance, file for bankruptcy and “hit the reset button.”
“I don’t think I’m any different than the people who worked in Detroit when the auto industry collapsed in the ’70s and everything went overseas,” he said.
It’s a concern even President Donald Trump has weighed in on, calling last year for tariffs aimed at keeping film production in the U.S. — a plan that experts have called vague and impractical.
Thomas, of the Georgia Film Office, said that business is up significantly from the last fiscal year. She partially credits the rebound to a new state law that allows Georgia’s tax incentives to apply to more types of productions, including short-form vertical videos and free ad-supported streaming channels like Tubi.
Some Atlanta veterans still see a path forward, including Farris, the location scout. She said too many talented, creative people are in Atlanta for it all to simply fade away.
“People moved their families here. They’re raising children here. This wasn’t just about film,” she said. “It changed our landscape — it brought in brilliant new minds. Artists. Creators. And I really believe Georgia will find a way to foster an entirely new wave of artistic possibility.”
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Dream hold off Chicago Sky 82-75, Rhyne Howard becomes youngest player to hit rare WNBA milestone
The Atlanta Dream beat the Chicago Sky 82-75 Tuesday night, pulling away in the fourth quarter to move to 3-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play.
Atlanta outscored Chicago 25-17 in the fourth to put the game away after the Sky had cut it to one point midway through the third quarter. Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard each made key plays down the stretch to secure the win.
Howard became the youngest player in WNBA history to reach 2,500 career points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocks, finishing with 17 points and five assists.
Angel Reese added 17 points and 17 rebounds, her second straight 17-rebound game, the first time any player in Atlanta Dream history has done that back-to-back. It was also her eighth double-double of the season and the 57th of her career, the most double-doubles in WNBA history through 75 games.
Naz Hillmon chipped in a season-high 16 points on 50% shooting, knocking down three 3-pointers, while Allisha Gray added 14 points and three steals off the bench.
Atlanta led after the first quarter, 18-17, then fell behind by as many as three in the second half before pulling away in the fourth quarter. Canada controlled the floor all night, finishing with 14 points and six assists.
Natasha Cloud led Chicago with 18 points off the bench, and Skylar Diggins added 17. But the Sky couldn’t stop Atlanta’s second-half surge.
With the Dream’s third Commissioner Cup win, they have raised $10,000 for The King Center, their designated charity for the competition.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other city leaders are expected to gather in downtown Atlanta Wednesday to share plans aimed at helping visitors and residents safely enjoy FIFA World Cup events in the city.
Ahead of the press conference, Dickens spoke about safety concerns, and MARTA announced its planned changes for the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
MARTA’s safety plan announcement comes less than a week before Spain and Cape Verde are set to face each other inside Atlanta Stadium.
It also comes during a violent stretch for MARTA, with a shooting last week and two stabbings, one of them deadly, more than 10 days ago.
MARTA is under a federal investigation following those incidents.
“A lot happened in a short amount of time and it’s time for us to show the world that they can course-correct,” Dickens said Tuesday.
Dickens said the recent incidents have put new pressure on MARTA as the region prepares for an influx of riders heading to matches and related events.
“This is go time. So MARTA is going to step up big, I think, to make sure they meet the moment. I am optimistic about what has occurred over the last couple of weeks has really lit a fire for MARTA that they will be able to meet this moment,” Dickens said.
MARTA has shared a safety plan it says will begin Thursday, June 11.
Under the plan, MARTA Police will work 10- to 12-hour shifts, six days a week, patrolling trains, stations, buses, bus transfer hubs and parking lots. MARTA also says its Real Time Crime Center will monitor the system around the clock through a network of cameras.
The agency says officers will also be stationed in a Mobile Command Vehicle positioned at key locations, and MARTA’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated for match and fan fest days.
MARTA said other changes are aimed at reducing crowding at stations on match and fan fest days, including trains running every five minutes to shorten wait times.
The agency also plans to keep at least 30 buses on standby and use special shuttle trains near Atlanta Stadium to handle ridership surges, while urging riders to spread out by using multiple downtown stations such as SEC District, Vine City and Peachtree Center.
MARTA has also launched a new safety feature in its transit app: integrated incident reporting that allows riders to report safety concerns in real time without needing the standalone “See & Say” app.
Some riders said the changes should have come sooner.
“Y’all are going to do it for some people coming across? What about the people of Atlanta?” MARTA rider Michael James said.
Other riders welcomed the update, calling it “much better” and saying it was “a good addition” with a “simple display.”
Meanwhile, James questioned how effective an app can be in a fast-moving emergency.
“I mean, you talking about an app, by the time you get to the phone, you’re already stabbed to death,” he said. “How am I getting stabbed and I’m looking for a phone?”
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
World Cup bag rules explained in under 60 seconds
From clear bags to clutch size limits, here’s everything fans need to know about the World Cup stadium bag policy.
The eyes of the world will be on the United States, Canada and Mexico as the three countries are just days away from hosting the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
While soccer has billions of fans worldwide, there are plenty of Americans (and others) who may be turning the sport on the for the very first time.
Worried about keeping up with the matches this summer? Here’s what to know about World Cup matches as the tournament begins.
How long is a World Cup match?
Matches are scheduled for 90 minutes, a typical regulation length. However, just like in professional matches, referees can add “stoppage time” to the end of each half to account for the amount of time play was stopped for substitutions, goals, injuries and other interference.
The match is played in two, 45-minute halves with a 15 minute halftime. Typical matches last around 100 minutes once additional time is added.
However, during the knock-out stage of the tournament (after the group stages), if there is a tie at the end of regulation and additional stoppage time, then the match will go to “extra time,” similar overtime in American football.
An additional 30 minutes is put on the clock in two, 15-minute halves. If it is still tied after extra time, then the match goes to a penalty shootout, which means each team will send a player to try and score on the goalie one-on-one. This can add an additional 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how many shootout rounds there are to finally declare a winner.
How many players are on the field?
There are 22 players on the field at any given time, 11 from each team. This includes 10 outfielders and one goalie on either side of the field.
Each team will typically keep 26 players on their roster because coaches are able to make substitutions throughout the game. A player may get injured, tired or a coach may just want to switch up strategy and replaces one player on the field with one from the bench. Each team is allowed five substitutions per match, plus an extra substitution if the match goes into extra time.
What are common penalties? What is a penalty kick?
Like any sport, soccer has a set of rules that help the game keep moving and prevent players from interfering with the ball. Soccer players are unable to touch the ball with their hands or arms, and if they do it earns them a handball penalty.
Other common soccer penalties include tripping, kicking, holding or pulling jerseys, pushing or charging players, and dangerous plays like high kicks or kicking near another player’s head.
If a player is hit with a penalty, the other team will get a penalty kick. This means the ball will be placed at a specific spot, depending on the penalty, and the non-penalty team will get to kick the ball off again to a teammate, typically close to the goal.
What are yellow and red cards?
Some penalties are worse than others, and they can earn yellow or red cards for players.
For more severe penalties, or “reckless fouls,” players will be issued a yellow card. This includes deliberately wasting time, persistently breaking rules, trying to trick the referees or unsportsmanlike behavior. Warnings to players are typically issued before a yellow card is called. If a player receives two yellow cards in a match, it leads to a red card.
A red card issued to a player means they are ejected from the match and can not come back. It also means another player cannot join the field in their place, so a match could become 11-on-10. In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.
How many teams are playing in the World Cup?
For the first time, the World Cup tournament has been expanded to 48 teams from around the world.
These teams are divided into 12 groups of four teams for the group stage matches. These matches are not elimination rounds, and teams will play in multiple matches during this stage against the other teams in their groups.
The United States, for example, is in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. The team plays their first match on June 12 against Paraguay. No matter the outcome of that match, the United States will play again on June 19 against Australia. The U.S. team plays Turkey on June 25 to round out the group stage.
Then, from the results of the group stage, 32 teams will make it to the elimination rounds. The winners of those matches will play in the round of 16. There will then be four quarterfinal matches, two semifinal matches and a match for third place, and one World Cup Final played on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
In total, there will be 104 matches played between June 11 and July 19 across three countries.
When are the World Cup matches in Atlanta?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) will host five group stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match and one of the tournament’s semifinal match.
- Monday, June 15 — Spain vs Cabo Verde, Group H – Shop tickets
- Thursday, June 18 — South Africa vs Czechia, Group A – Shop tickets
- Sunday, June 21 — Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Group H – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, June 24 — Morocco vs Haiti – Shop tickets
- Saturday, June 27 — Uzbekistan vs Congo, Group K – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, July 1 — Group L winners vs third place from Group E/H/I/J/K – Shop tickets
- Tuesday, July 7 — Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, July 15 — tournament semifinal, teams TBD – Shop tickets
The World Cup is over. Does Atlanta have a professional soccer team?
The end of the World Cup does not mean you have to turn off professional-level soccer in Atlanta.
Atlanta United, the city’s MLS team, paused their season with the rest of the league for the World Cup, but will pick back up again.
The MLS season resumes July 16 and 17, and the All-Star Game will be played on July 29. The end of the regular season is Nov. 7, with an international break, then playoffs will begin for the MLS Cup Final.
Irene Wright covers the FIFA World Cup as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
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