AMC’s Walking Dead: a Post-Apocalyptic Downtown and the New Atlanta Film Scene
The talk of the television this fall is without a doubt the new AMC series The Walking Dead, based on the comic series of the same name. What makes this success story so unlikely is thatWalking Dead isn't a period drama like Mad Men or the heart-wrenching Breaking Bad, but a story of the zombie apocalypse. Not exactly what you would think of as "great television." But the show appears to be the next big thing.
Like the comics, the story takes place in and around Atlanta, and the first season was filmed in the city. Already in the first episode, viewers see the horde of undead chasing the main character around the campus of Georgia State University and the rest of downtown. Perhaps it's not the most flattering view of this city of ours, but it is nice to see Decatur Street on TV.
Interestingly enough, this is becoming increasingly more common, as more films and television shows are coming to metro Atlanta and Georgia due to our favorable tax credits and diversity of landscape. With the old Lakewood Fairgrounds being turned into the EUE/Screen Gems soundstage for all sorts of productions, Atlanta is poised to become a new hub of film and television production. In 2009, more than 400 productions were filmed in 50 different communities around the state.
For Hollywood types looking to transplant from LA for a production or a lifetime, the city may seem a little different...where are the palm trees? But Atlanta and Los Angeles actually have a great deal in common, including historic downtown areas undergoing a vibrant rebirth. Much like downtown Los Angeles, downtown Atlanta is home to some of the city's most rapid growth in new businesses and luxurious living, as evidenced by our ownPencil Factory Flats & Shops. If the film industry finds a second home in Georgia, even the most particular Hollywood elite can rest assured that Atlanta won't disappoint.
So as you curl up and watch zombies ravage downtown Atlanta, sit back and think about how nice it is that it's just a TV show, and that instead of zombies, we have thriving industry, fantastic restaurants, and a lovely place to call home.
