Georgia Film Academy in Atlanta: Your Guide to Getting Started in Film and TV

Atlanta has become one of the busiest film and television hubs in the country, and the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) is right in the middle of that growth. If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or are visiting to explore film opportunities, understanding how GFA works can help you connect your interests with real training and potential on-set experience.

This guide walks you through what the Georgia Film Academy is, how it operates in the Atlanta area, who it’s for, and what to expect if you enroll.

What Is the Georgia Film Academy?

The Georgia Film Academy is a statewide training program designed to prepare people for below-the-line jobs in film, television, and digital entertainment production. It’s not a traditional standalone school; instead, it partners with:

• Public universities (like Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University)
• Technical colleges (including Atlanta Technical College and Gwinnett Technical College)

GFA focuses on hands-on, workforce-oriented training for roles that are in demand on Atlanta-area productions, such as:

• Set production assistant
• Grip and electric crew
• Camera and sound crew
• Props, set dressing, and costume support
• Post-production and editing roles (at certain partner schools)

Courses are taught using industry-standard equipment and often take place in or near Atlanta-area soundstages and production facilities.

How the Georgia Film Academy Works in Atlanta

Partner Schools in the Metro Atlanta Area

Rather than attending a single “GFA campus,” you enroll through a partner institution and then take GFA-branded courses as part of your schedule.

Common Atlanta-area institutions that collaborate with GFA include:

• Georgia State University (GSU) – Downtown Atlanta and surrounding campuses
• Kennesaw State University (KSU) – Kennesaw and Marietta
• Atlanta Technical College – South Atlanta
• Gwinnett Technical College – Lawrenceville and Alpharetta-North Fulton
• Clayton State University – Morrow (south of Atlanta)

GFA courses at these schools typically:

• Count toward a degree or certificate
• Follow a standardized GFA curriculum
• May lead to on-set internships with productions filming in and around Atlanta

For the most accurate, current list of partners, it’s best to check with individual schools or the Georgia Film Academy directly.

Who the Georgia Film Academy Is For

GFA is designed for people who want a practical path into film and TV production in Georgia, especially around Atlanta. It tends to serve:

• College students enrolled in partner universities and technical colleges
• Career changers who want to transition into production work
• Local residents seeking skills for entry-level film crew jobs
• Aspiring crew members more interested in working behind the camera than acting or directing right away

It may be a good fit if you:

• Prefer hands-on training over purely academic study
• Want access to internship or on-set opportunities in the Atlanta market
• Are comfortable working long, often irregular production hours once you enter the industry

It may be less ideal if you’re focused solely on screenwriting, acting, or directing; GFA is more about the technical and crew side of production, though broader exposure can still be useful.

What You Can Study Through Georgia Film Academy

Core Focus Areas

While course offerings can vary by partner school, GFA typically covers areas like:

• On-Set Production Basics

  • Set etiquette and communication
  • Breaking down a call sheet
  • Safety protocols
  • Department structures and job roles

• Grip & Electric (G&E)

  • Lighting setups
  • Rigging and stands
  • Power distribution and safety

• Camera and Sound

  • Camera systems and lenses
  • Basic operating principles
  • Field sound recording fundamentals

• Art, Props, and Costumes

  • Set dressing and continuity
  • Prop handling and storage
  • Wardrobe support roles

• Post-Production Foundations

  • Editing workflows
  • Intro-level work with professional software (varies by school)

Typical Course Structure

Many students start with:

1. Introductory course (often classroom plus lab-style sessions)
2. Practicum or internship course that places them on an actual set or studio environment, when available

These courses may be built into:

• Associate degree programs at technical colleges
• Bachelor’s degree programs at universities
• Certificates or standalone training tracks for non-degree-seeking students (depending on institution)

How to Enroll in Georgia Film Academy Courses in Atlanta

Because GFA works through partner schools, your path depends on whether you’re already a student.

If You’re Already a College Student in Atlanta

1. Check if your school partners with GFA.
   Schools like GSU, KSU, Clayton State, Atlanta Technical College, and Gwinnett Tech commonly list GFA courses in their catalogs.

2. Meet with an academic advisor.

   • Ask how GFA courses fit into your major or electives
   • Confirm prerequisites and when courses are offered

3. Register for GFA-designated classes.

   • They may be labeled with a specific prefix or clearly marked as Georgia Film Academy offerings.

If You’re Not Currently Enrolled Anywhere

You can often:

1. Apply to a partner institution as:

   • A degree-seeking student
   • Or a non-degree / certificate / continuing education student (availability varies by school)

2. Indicate interest in film or media programs during the admissions process and ask specifically about:

   • Georgia Film Academy coursework
   • Film production tracks or certificates that include GFA training

3. Confirm tuition, fees, and scheduling, as policies differ between universities and technical colleges.

Where GFA Activity Happens Around Atlanta

Georgia Film Academy courses and labs are typically conducted:

• On partner school campuses (classrooms and labs)
• At production facilities and rented stages around Metro Atlanta
• In active studio environments, when internships or practicum courses are in session

While locations for practical work can change based on available productions, GFA activities are heavily centered in and around Atlanta because:

• Most of Georgia’s major soundstages and studios are in the Atlanta metro area
• A large volume of TV series, films, and streaming projects are shot here

Students may find themselves traveling to areas such as:

• Fayette County / Trilith area
• South Atlanta and Hapeville
• Midtown and Downtown Atlanta
• Suburban studio zones around Gwinnett, Clayton, and Cobb counties

Sample Georgia Film Academy Path for an Atlanta Student

Below is a simplified look at a common path someone in Atlanta might follow through GFA-related training:

The exact sequence and time frame can vary based on your school, availability of courses, and your own schedule.

Cost, Time Commitment, and Workload

Tuition and Fees

Costs for GFA courses are typically:

• Charged through the partner institution you attend
• Similar to other courses at that school (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition may apply)
• Sometimes covered by financial aid or HOPE/Zell Miller for eligible Georgia residents enrolled in qualifying programs

To understand precise costs, you’ll need to:

• Contact the financial aid office of your chosen school
• Ask whether GFA courses are included in regular tuition or carry additional fees

Time Commitment

Expect:

• Regular weekly class sessions (often several hours per week)
• Lab or workshop time handling equipment
• For practicums or internships: full production days that can exceed traditional class hours, sometimes early mornings or late nights

The workload is usually comparable to other technical or lab-based college courses but can be more physically demanding due to equipment handling and long production days.

How GFA Connects to the Atlanta Film and TV Job Market

Atlanta’s film and TV ecosystem includes:

• Major studios and production companies
• Streaming series filming long-term in the area
• Feature films, commercials, and independent productions

The Georgia Film Academy is designed to:

• Give students practical skills that match entry-level crew needs
• Introduce them to industry-standard practices used on Atlanta sets
• Offer pathways to internships or practicum placements when productions are available

While no program can guarantee employment, many local residents use GFA coursework as a stepping stone into roles such as:

• Production assistant
• Utility crew support
• Departmental trainees (grip, electric, camera, costume, art)

From there, workers often build careers by:

• Networking on set
• Gaining experience from one project to the next
• Gradually moving into more specialized or higher-responsibility roles

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents Considering Georgia Film Academy

• Clarify your goal first.
  Decide whether you’re most interested in on-set crew work, post-production, or exploring multiple roles. This helps you choose the right path at your partner school.

• Consider commute and location.
  Atlanta traffic can be a real factor. When comparing partner schools and course locations, think about how easily you can get to campus and to potential studio sites.

• Ask about real-world exposure.
  When speaking with advisors, ask:

  • “How often do your students get on set?”
  • “Which departments do your graduates most commonly enter?”

• Prepare for irregular hours.
  Production work rarely follows a standard 9–5 schedule. If you move into on-set roles, be ready for early call times, late wraps, and long days.

• Build connections early.
  Your instructors, classmates, and staff you meet through GFA-linked programs may later be working on sets across metro Atlanta. Treat these relationships professionally from the start.

Key Contacts and Next Steps in Atlanta

To move forward:

1. Identify a partner school near you.
   Look at public institutions in and around Atlanta such as Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Clayton State University, Atlanta Technical College, and Gwinnett Technical College.

2. Contact admissions or advising.

   • Ask whether they offer Georgia Film Academy courses or film production tracks.
   • Request to speak with someone familiar with their GFA partnership.

3. Reach out to Georgia Film Academy directly.
   The GFA office can typically provide:

   • A current list of partner institutions
   • General information on course structure and pathways
   • Guidance on how their programs interface with Atlanta’s production industry

When you speak with any school or GFA representative, have a short list of questions ready about:

• Program length and structure
• Internship or practicum opportunities in the Atlanta area
• How past students have entered the local workforce

By understanding how the Georgia Film Academy operates specifically in Atlanta, you can choose a path that lines up with the city’s fast-growing film and TV scene and your own goals in the industry.