Entertainment Jobs in Atlanta: How to Break Into the Industry Locally

Atlanta has become one of the busiest entertainment hubs in the country, earning nicknames like “Y’allywood” and the “Hollywood of the South.” If you’re searching for entertainment jobs in Atlanta, you’re in the right city—film and TV production, music, theater, live events, gaming, and digital content all have strong footprints here.

This guide walks you through where the jobs are, what roles exist, how hiring works in Atlanta, and practical local steps you can take to get started or move up.

Why Atlanta Is a Major Entertainment Job Market

Atlanta’s entertainment scene is anchored by:

• Film & TV production (major studios, streaming projects, and network shows)
• Music and recording (hip-hop, R&B, gospel, pop, and film scoring)
• Theater and live performance (from regional theaters to touring shows)
• Sports & live events (arenas, stadiums, festivals, conventions)
• Digital media & gaming (content creators, esports, app and game studios)

A combination of Georgia’s film tax incentives, relatively lower cost of living (compared with LA/NYC), and a strong talent pool has made Atlanta a long-term production hub, not just a passing trend.

If you live in metro Atlanta, many entertainment opportunities are within commuting distance, especially around:

• Midtown & Downtown Atlanta
• South Atlanta/Fayette County (Trilith Studios area)
• Southwest Atlanta & Union City
• Norcross, Duluth, and Gwinnett County corridors

Major Sectors for Entertainment Jobs in Atlanta

1. Film and Television Production

Film and TV are among the largest entertainment employers in metro Atlanta.

Common roles include:

• On-set crew: production assistants (PAs), grips, electrics, camera assistants, script supervisors, art department, set dressers
• Office roles: production coordinators, office PAs, accounting clerks, travel coordinators
• Post-production: editors, assistant editors, colorists, sound editors, post supervisors
• Creative talent: actors, background actors (extras), stand-ins, stunt performers
• Support services: hair and makeup, wardrobe, transportation, catering, security

Where production happens:

While productions film all over metro Atlanta, several studio complexes and production clusters are significant employers or points of contact:

• Trilith Studios – Fayetteville, GA
• Tyler Perry Studios – southwest Atlanta
• Shadowbox Studios (formerly Blackhall Studios) – southeast Atlanta
• EUE/Screen Gems Studios – near Lakewood, Atlanta
• Assembly Atlanta – Doraville, GA

Many crew jobs are project-based. You may work on a series or film for a few months, then move to the next production.

2. Music and Recording

Atlanta is a long-established music capital, especially for:

• Hip-hop and trap
• R&B and soul
• Gospel
• Pop and crossover genres
• Film and TV scoring and sync

Common job paths:

• Creative: recording artists, songwriters, producers, beatmakers, composers
• Technical: recording engineers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, live sound techs
• Business & support: artist managers, A&R reps, publicists, marketing coordinators, label assistants
• Live performance: session musicians, touring musicians, DJ’s

Music jobs depend heavily on relationships and reputation. Many people start by:

• Interning at local studios
• Working at small labels or management firms
• Volunteering at venues, churches, and local festivals
• Collaborating with independent artists in the city

3. Theater, Performing Arts, and Cultural Venues

Atlanta has a strong live performance scene, from regional theaters to community companies.

Common roles:

• Onstage: actors, dancers, singers, musicians
• Backstage: stage managers, lighting designers, sound technicians, set builders, costume designers
• Front-of-house and admin: box office staff, ushers, house managers, marketing and development staff, education and outreach staff

Key Atlanta-area organizations that regularly hire or use talent include:

• Alliance Theatre – Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Horizon Theatre Company – 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Actors Express – 887 W Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Fulton County and City of Atlanta arts programs (for teaching artists and coordinators)

Many theater professionals work multiple jobs across theaters, schools, and events to create a full-time income.

4. Sports, Live Events, and Venues

Sports and entertainment often overlap, and Atlanta’s major venues employ large event-focused teams:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – NFL/MLS games, concerts
• State Farm Arena – NBA games, concerts
• Georgia World Congress Center – conventions, trade shows
• Gas South District (Duluth) – concerts, events
• Coca-Cola Roxy, Tabernacle, Variety Playhouse, Center Stage, and other music venues

Common jobs:

• Event production staff
• Audio-visual (A/V) and lighting techs
• Stagehands and riggers
• Guest services, ticketing, and security
• Event coordinators and operations staff

These often start as part-time or event-based jobs but can lead to full-time roles in venue operations or touring production.

5. Digital Media, Content Creation, and Gaming

Atlanta also has a growing digital entertainment ecosystem:

• Social media and YouTube content studios
• Podcast production companies
• Marketing and branding agencies
• Video game and app developers
• Esports organizations and gaming bars/arenas

Common roles:

• Video editors and motion graphics designers
• Content producers and social media managers
• Community managers
• Game designers and programmers
• Voice actors and streaming talent

Positions may be a mix of freelance, remote, and hybrid depending on the company.

Types of Entertainment Jobs: Onstage, On Camera, and Behind the Scenes

To navigate entertainment jobs in Atlanta, it helps to know three broad categories:

Performance & On-Camera Roles

• Actors (film, TV, commercials)
• Background actors (extras)
• Models and commercial talent
• Hosts, emcees, and presenters
• Musicians, dancers, and theater performers

These roles usually involve:

• Casting calls and auditions
• Talent agents or managers (though extras often work directly with casting companies)
• Marketing yourself via headshots, reels, resumes, and online profiles

Crew & Technical Roles

• Camera and lighting crews
• Sound and audio techs
• Editors and post-production staff
• Hair, makeup, and wardrobe
• Stagehands and riggers
• Production assistants and coordinators

Crew jobs rely more on:

• Technical skills and training
• Referrals and relationships with department heads
• A good reputation for reliability and professionalism

Office, Administrative, and Support Roles

• Production office staff
• HR and recruiting for entertainment companies
• Marketing, PR, and social media
• Venue management and event planning
• Arts administration and development/fundraising

These often resemble standard office jobs but require comfort with the pace and culture of the entertainment world.

Entry-Level Entertainment Jobs in Atlanta

If you’re just getting started, look for roles where employers commonly hire newcomers:

Common Entry Points

• Production Assistant (PA) – on set or in the production office
• Background actor (extra) – no experience often required
• Theater crew or usher – at local theaters or venues
• Internships – at production companies, studios, labels, venues, or arts nonprofits
• Front-of-house staff – box office, ticketing, concessions, or guest services
• Junior social media or content roles – at agencies or entertainment brands

These positions help you:

• Build a network
• Learn how local productions run
• Get real credits and experience on your resume

How to Find Entertainment Jobs in Atlanta

1. Use Local Job Boards and Industry Portals

When searching, use keywords like “Atlanta entertainment jobs,” “film production Atlanta,” “PA Atlanta,” “music jobs Atlanta,” or “theater jobs Atlanta.”

Look in:

• General job boards (use filters for arts, media, or events)
• Entertainment-specific boards that frequently list Georgia/Atlanta projects
• Venue and theater careers pages for FOH and tech jobs

2. Follow Casting and Crew Calls

Background work, low-budget films, and some commercial shoots often hire via public casting calls. Search for:

• “Atlanta casting calls”
• “Atlanta background extra work”
• “Atlanta film crew calls”

⚠️ Tip: Be cautious about any casting that demands upfront fees, private meetings at homes/hotels, or cash-only payments. Legitimate projects usually pay you, not the other way around, aside from standard headshot or class costs.

3. Check Local Venues and Organizations Directly

Many organizations post openings directly on their own sites or bulletin boards. Examples:

• Fox Theatre – jobs in operations, guest services, and technical roles
• Alliance Theatre / Woodruff Arts Center – artistic, education, admin, and tech roles
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena – guest services, event staff, A/V and control room roles
• Georgia World Congress Center Authority – event production, A/V, and operations

Because these are stable, established venues, their HR pages and on-site postings are worth checking regularly.

4. Network in Person Around Atlanta

In entertainment, who you know and who knows your work matters.

Helpful local networking moves:

• Attend film festivals (e.g., Atlanta Film Festival), screenings, and Q&As
• Join local acting classes or improv groups to meet working performers
• Visit open mics and jam nights (often at Atlanta music venues and cafes)
• Participate in meetups for filmmakers, content creators, or game developers
• Volunteer at arts and film events to meet coordinators, producers, and programmers

Choose events in areas like Midtown, Downtown, West Midtown, East Atlanta, and Decatur, where many creative communities and venues are clustered.

Training and Education Options in Atlanta

Formal training isn’t always required, but skills give you an edge.

Film & TV-Related Training

In or near Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Film programs at local colleges and universities (community colleges and universities across metro Atlanta often offer film, media, or production tracks)
• Private film schools and workshops that focus on camera, lighting, grip, or editing
• Short-term PA bootcamps or production seminars hosted locally by industry groups

Look for training that includes:

• Hands-on equipment use
• Set etiquette and safety basics
• Opportunities to meet working professionals

Acting, Voice, and Performance Training

Common local resources:

• Acting studios offering on-camera, improv, and audition classes
• University or community theater programs
• Voiceover training and demo production services

For acting in Atlanta, self-taping skills are especially important, since many auditions are virtual.

Music and Audio Training

Look for:

• Recording and audio engineering programs at technical or community colleges
• Private studios offering engineering internships or shadowing opportunities
• Workshops on live sound for venues and churches

Atlanta Organizations and Offices to Know

The following public or widely recognized offices and organizations can be helpful starting points for information, resources, or community connections:

Georgia Film Office (State-Level, Serves Atlanta)

• Address: 75 5th St NW, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Provides:
  • Statewide production resources
  • Georgia crew and vendor directories
  • Information for those seeking to work on productions in Georgia

City of Atlanta – Office of Film and Entertainment

• Typically located within the city’s economic development or mayor’s office structure
• Provides:
  • Information on permitting for filming in the City of Atlanta
  • Contacts for productions working inside city limits
  • Opportunities to stay aware of local production activity

Arts & Culture Agencies

Local arts agencies can connect you to grants, calls for artists, and arts jobs:

• Fulton County Arts & Culture – supports arts programming and artist opportunities in Fulton County
• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs – supports cultural programs, public art, and local arts events

These are useful for performers, teaching artists, and arts administrators.

Typical Pay Structures and Work Conditions

Entertainment jobs in Atlanta can be structured very differently from traditional 9–5 roles.

Common Pay and Work Patterns

• Day rates – especially for crew, extras, and some performers
• Hourly pay – often used for venue staff, front-of-house, and some production office roles
• Salaried – more common in full-time roles with studios, venues, agencies, and universities
• Freelance or contract – widely used in film, music, and digital media

Expect:

• Irregular hours: nights, weekends, long days on sets or during events
• Seasonal fluctuations: production surges and slow periods
• Multiple income streams: many professionals combine several roles (for example, PA work + editing + event staffing)

Building a Career, Not Just a Gig, in Atlanta Entertainment

To move from “getting jobs” to building a sustainable career in Atlanta’s entertainment industry:

1. Choose a Direction (Even if Broad at First)

You can start with a general interest (film crew, acting, music, events) but gradually narrow down. For example:

• From “film crew” → to grip/electric or assistant director track
• From “acting” → to focus on TV co-star roles or commercials
• From “music” → to producing, engineering, or live performance

2. Build a Local Portfolio

In Atlanta, real-world, local experience often beats a long resume from another industry.

• Keep footage, photos, and documentation of your work
• Maintain an updated resume and simple portfolio site or reel
• List Atlanta-area projects clearly (short films, theater, local artists, etc.)

3. Stay Professional and Reliable

Reputation spreads quickly across productions and venues. Traits that matter:

• Showing up on time (or early)
• Following set/venue rules and safety guidelines
• Being respectful and calm under pressure
• Communicating clearly about availability and capabilities

Many people in Atlanta get repeat calls and referrals based on reliability alone.

4. Use Atlanta’s Size to Your Advantage

Atlanta is big enough to offer a steady stream of projects but small enough that word gets around. That can work for you if you:

• Are visible (attend events, keep in touch with contacts)
• Are consistent (say yes to reasonable work, follow through)
• Are patient (it can take time to break in, but projects cycle often)

Quick Reference: Common Entertainment Paths in Atlanta

Practical First Steps If You’re in Atlanta Right Now

1. Decide your starting lane: film/TV, music, theater, events, or digital content.
2. Update your resume to highlight relevant skills (customer service, tech skills, teamwork, etc.).
3. Search for “Atlanta entertainment jobs” plus your target role and apply to at least a few postings each week.
4. Attend at least one local industry event or workshop this month (film meetup, open mic, theater audition, or class).
5. Create simple professional materials:
   • For crew: basic resume + any portfolio samples
   • For performers: headshot + short bio + reel or clips
6. Stay alert for scams: avoid jobs asking for large upfront fees or unclear “membership” payments.

With steady effort and a local focus, Atlanta offers real, concrete opportunities to build a career across almost every corner of the entertainment industry—from studio sets in south Atlanta to stages in Midtown and recording booths all over the metro area.