Why “25 Words or Less” Moved to Atlanta: What Locals Should Know

If you’ve heard that “25 Words or Less” moved to Atlanta and you’re wondering why a TV game show would relocate here, you’re not alone. Atlanta residents are used to seeing production trucks around town, but it helps to understand why so many shows choose Atlanta and what that means for people who live, work, or plan to move here.

Below is a clear look at the common reasons TV and media productions move to Atlanta, how that likely applies to “25 Words or Less,” and what it means from a relocation and living standpoint for Atlantans.

The Big Picture: Why TV Productions Choose Atlanta

Even if you don’t follow entertainment news, you’ve probably noticed more film and TV activity in Atlanta over the last decade. When a show like “25 Words or Less” moves to Atlanta, it usually ties back to a few recurring factors:

  • Favorable tax incentives for production
  • Access to experienced film crews and studios
  • Lower operating costs compared with Los Angeles or New York
  • A growing local talent pool
  • Strong transportation links and infrastructure

So while the show itself might not spell out every reason for the move, those are the standard drivers that influence game shows, scripted series, and reality shows to set up in Atlanta.

1. Georgia’s Film Tax Credits: A Major Draw

One of the biggest reasons productions relocate to Atlanta is Georgia’s film and TV tax credit program.

For a show like “25 Words or Less,” this can mean:

  • Lower overall production costs when shooting in Georgia
  • The ability to produce more episodes within the same budget
  • More flexibility to hire local crew and services

These incentives are administered at the state level in Atlanta, often coordinated through the Georgia Department of Economic Development and its Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office.

For Atlanta residents, this translates into:

  • More consistent work for local camera operators, editors, sound technicians, and set crews
  • Increased use of Atlanta-area vendors, from catering to security
  • A steady flow of productions that can help stabilize the local entertainment job market

2. Atlanta’s Growing Studio Infrastructure

Many productions that move here take advantage of Atlanta’s expanding studio network. Around the metro area, you’ll find:

  • Large studio complexes with multiple sound stages
  • Post-production facilities for editing, audio, and visual effects
  • Nearby equipment rental houses and supporting vendors

For a game show or studio-based series—like “25 Words or Less”—Atlanta offers:

  • Ready-made studio spaces that can be configured for a game show set
  • Easy access to lighting, cameras, staging, and audience seating
  • Proximity to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport for flying in guests, hosts, and producers

Many Atlantans notice this through increased filming near Midtown, Downtown, and surrounding studio zones. While exact studio choices can vary from show to show, the general pattern is that productions can find everything they need within the Atlanta metro area.

3. Lower Cost of Doing Business Compared with Traditional Hubs

Compared with Los Angeles or New York, Atlanta often offers lower costs for:

  • Studio and office rentals
  • Housing and lodging for cast and crew
  • Transportation and logistics
  • Local services and vendors

For a show moving from a high-cost market, this can be a major factor. It allows producers to:

  • Stretch their budgets further
  • Allocate more money to prizes, set design, or additional episodes
  • Maintain or improve production quality while keeping expenses under control

From a relocation and living perspective, this also affects people who move here for work on such shows:

  • Crew members relocating to Atlanta may find more affordable housing options in neighborhoods like East Atlanta, West Midtown, or parts of the suburbs compared with coastal cities.
  • Short-term visitors working on the show can access a mix of extended-stay hotels and rentals throughout the city at a range of price points.

4. Access to Local Talent and Crew

Atlanta has built a reputation as a serious production hub, which means a game show moving here can tap into:

  • Experienced camera crews, sound engineers, and stage managers
  • Local casting resources for background audience members and contestants
  • On-air and off-air professionals who already live in the metro area

For Atlantans, this may create opportunities like:

  • Job openings on production teams (lighting techs, production assistants, editors)
  • On-camera chances for residents interested in participating as contestants or audience members when casting calls are open
  • Closer access to entertainment-industry work without needing to move to Los Angeles

5. Logistical Convenience: Getting People In and Out

Game shows often bring in:

  • Celebrity guests
  • Contestants from other cities
  • Specialized production staff

Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport makes this simpler because it:

  • Offers frequent direct flights to and from many U.S. cities
  • Reduces travel time and complexity for participants
  • Helps production teams coordinate tight shooting schedules

This is a significant reason producers see Atlanta as practical and predictable for ongoing shows that tape regularly.

6. What a Move Like This Means for People Living in Atlanta

Whether or not you watch “25 Words or Less,” its move to Atlanta is part of a larger trend that affects daily life in the city.

More Entertainment-Industry Jobs

Residents may see more:

  • Job postings related to TV production, even for entry-level roles
  • Opportunities for freelancers in makeup, hair, set construction, and design
  • Growth in related services, from catering to transport and security

More Filming Around Town

You might notice:

  • Street closures or parking restrictions near studio zones or filming locations
  • Production signs and trucks in and around neighborhoods and commercial districts
  • Occasional crowd or noise activity when shows tape with live or partially live audiences

These disruptions are usually temporary and regulated through permits managed by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment.

Potential Audience and Contestant Opportunities

When a show is based in Atlanta, local residents may:

  • Have better chances to join the live studio audience, if the show uses one
  • Be able to apply as contestants more easily when local casting calls are open
  • Experience tapings firsthand without needing to travel out of state

Check typical casting channels or the show’s official outreach when they announce Atlanta-based opportunities.

7. Living in Atlanta While Working on a Show Like This

If you’re considering moving to Atlanta or already live here and want to work on productions that have relocated, it helps to understand how work and daily life fit together.

Typical Areas Production Workers Gravitate Toward

People employed in film and TV in Atlanta often choose neighborhoods based on:

  • Commute to major studios
  • Affordability and housing type
  • Access to MARTA and major highways

Common choices include:

  • Midtown and Downtown – close to many office spaces and stages
  • West Midtown and Upper Westside – popular with creative professionals
  • East Atlanta, Kirkwood, and Edgewood – mix of residential and creative communities
  • Suburban areas like Sandy Springs, Decatur, or parts of Cobb and Gwinnett for quieter living with access to the Perimeter

Balancing Irregular Production Schedules

Game shows may tape multiple episodes in batches, which can mean:

  • Intense, long working days during taping weeks
  • Breaks between tapings, depending on production cycles
  • Need for reliable transportation to get to studios on time

Atlanta’s mix of interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285) and public transit via MARTA can help, but many production workers still rely heavily on personal vehicles due to early call times and late wrap times.

8. Quick Summary: Why “25 Words or Less” and Similar Shows Choose Atlanta

Here is a simple overview of the main drivers that often explain a move like this:

ReasonWhat It Means for the ShowWhat It Means for Atlantans
Tax incentivesLower production costs, more budget flexibilityMore productions and jobs in metro Atlanta
Studio availabilityReady-to-use soundstages and support servicesIncreased filming activity near studio zones
Lower cost of operationsBetter control over expenses vs. LA/NYCompetitive housing and living costs for workers
Skilled local crewEasy hiring of experienced professionalsMore local work in film and TV sectors
Transportation accessSimple travel for guests and staffMore visitors and short-term residents tied to production

If You’re in Atlanta and Curious What to Do Next

If the move of “25 Words or Less” to Atlanta has you interested in local opportunities, here are practical steps:

  • Interested in working on productions?

    • Look for entry-level production assistant roles or crew listings with local production companies.
    • Keep a current résumé and be prepared for nontraditional hours.
  • Want to be a contestant or audience member?

    • Watch for casting calls that mention Atlanta tapings.
    • Have your schedule and transportation options ready, since tapings can run long.
  • Already affected by nearby filming?

    • Check with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment if you need clarity on permits, street closures, or filming activity in your neighborhood.

In short, when a show like “25 Words or Less” moves to Atlanta, it rarely happens for a single reason. It’s usually the result of Atlanta’s combined strengths: cost efficiency, strong incentives, professional infrastructure, and a growing, experienced workforce—all of which shape what it’s like to live and work in the city while the cameras are rolling.