Webinar: A Peach of a Deal

In this webinar, presented by Smith Gambrell Russell and Aprio, we will focus on the film industry in Georgia and the benefits of doing business in the State.

Throughout the years, America’s most popular television shows such as “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The Walking Dead,” “Stranger Things,” and “The Vampire Diaries,” along with high-profile feature film productions including Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Thor: Ragnarok” were produced in the State. Georgia currently has 47 television series, reality shows, and feature films in production.

We will discuss production in Georgia, the relationship with real estate and film in the State of Georgia, and the new tax regime in Georgia.

Why Produce in Georgia?

• Marquee Projects
• Production Statistics
• Talent

Relationship between Real Estate and Film in Georgia

• Ownership
• Facility Construction and Lease
• Sale

New Tax Credit Regime in Georgia

• Investor & Production Perspective
• Old & New Tax Regime
• Secondary Market for Tax Credit in Georgia

Speakers

Moderator

Michael Riesen, Partner in the Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices of Smith Gambrell (Atlanta, GA)

Michael is an Intellectual Property (IP) and Entertainment lawyer, a U.S. Patent Attorney, and a U.K. Solicitor (England and Wales). Michael counsels clients on all aspects of IP, including procuring protections, managing transfers, agreements, and litigation.

Panelists

Jess Johannesen, Senior Manager in the State and Local Tax practice – Aprio (Atlanta, GA)

Jess is a senior manager in Aprio’s State & Local Tax (SALT) practice. He has over 8 years of SALT consulting experience, assisting domestic and international clients in all industries with multistate tax issues, including income/franchise, sales/use, real estate transfer and recording, withholding, and other State and local taxes. He puts cash back into his clients’ businesses by identifying their eligibility for and assisting them in claiming various tax credits, including jobs/investment, retraining, and film/entertainment tax credits.

Collin Freer, General Counsel – Blackhall Real Estate (Atlanta, GA)

Collin Freer handles transactional and litigation matters for Blackhall Real Estate, which oversaw Blackhall Studios, a leading Atlanta-area media production facility. In this role, he manages and supports outside litigation counsel and corporate counsel and has been involved in negotiating and drafting a broad scope of agreements with entertainment industry partners.

1.5 hours of CLE Credit for Georgia is pending.

Related Capabilities

Media Contact

Public Relations Contact
Kate Lenders
Senior Marketing Manager
klenders@sgrlaw.com
312-360-6478