Atlanta

Meet the 1st Black woman to own a major movie studio in Georgia

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — Every year, Georgia seems to become more represented at the Oscars as more production studios set up in the state.

One new studio in Fayetteville is not built yet, but it’s already making history. The woman behind it will become the first Black woman to own a major studio in our state.

“We are excited about being a part of this Georgia film industry that has just exploded over the years,” said Tammy Williams.

Williams is the owner of Cinema South Studios. She will soon be making history as the first Black woman to own a major production complex in the state of Georgia.

“I see it as, if you’re the first at something, then you won’t be the last,” she said.

Channel 2 got a first look at the new 80+ acre site located off Highway 138 in Fayetteville. The $135 million project will spread over 1 million square feet, and it will house about 17 buildings that will include sound stages, warehouses, two lakes, a back lot, prop house and a three-story office building and that’s not everything.

“We’re talking about thousands of jobs, coming to the state and we’re talking about millions of dollars coming here,” Williams said.

“As you can see behind me, these are all students, so we’re talking job training, for those who want to work in this film industry. That’s from everybody, from the student that’s coming out of school, who’s trying to get a job, who’s trying to figure out how to put their resume together, to the adult, who has never gone to school, but they always had the desire to work in the film industry,” she said.

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Williams said she may be the face of Cinema South Studios, but she can’t do this alone.

“It’s not just me, it’s a whole team of people,” she said.

Many are calling Atlanta the new Hollywood of the South, especially since mega producer Tyler Perry also opened his own production studio in the city. Channel 2′s Larry Spruill asked Williams if there is room for another one.

“There are people, productions waiting to get here. There is not enough sound stages. So, when I think about, Tyler doing his thing, I’m a big fan of Tyler. He has set a bar,” Williams said.

Williams said she’s doing this for little boys and girls who look like her.

“I believe they can make their dreams happen. If it’s magic, I called it blessed,” she said.

Williams said she has a team of investors backing the project. She has partnered with Gary Guidry, investor and CEO of G-Squared Events and Black Promoters Collective LLC, to expand the studios.

The studios are projected to open in 2023.

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