After several voter suppression laws passed, Hollywood has debated whether or not pulling out of the state makes sense.
In recent years, so many Hollywood films and TV shows have flocked to Georgia thanks to the state's generous tax credit for shooting there. The industry there is responsible for nearly $10 billion in revenue. But a recent law that suppresses Georgia voters has angered people of the state and Hollywood.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed a new bill into law requiring rigid voter restrictions like ID requirements for absentee voting, limiting the number of ballot drop boxes, and making it illegal to give food and water to voters in line. President Biden dubbed it "Jim Crow in the 21st Century," while Stacey Abrams called it "a reminder of Georgia’s dark past."
Hollywood has reacted negatively, with some calling for a boycott of filming in the state, while others are trying to figure out another way to not punish the people and crews of Georgia.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Bernice King wrote on Twitter, "That would hurt middle-class workers and people grappling with poverty. And it would increase the harm of both racism and classism."
Please stop the #BoycottGeorgia talk. That would hurt middle class workers and people grappling with poverty. And it would increase the harm of both racism and classism.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) March 26, 2021
Director James Mangold and actor Mark Hamill were both in favor of the boycott. Mangold said he wouldn't be directing another movie in the state while this law stands, and made a very compelling argument as to why, saying other states would be happy to have the business and benefits—and are allowing people to vote.
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/mang0ld/status/1375288110758567939?s=20
This is obviously a complicated issue, as many people in Georgia would lose regular work and probably have to move elsewhere. While there are ways to protest and change the law, the governor seems to be in power with a republican legislature for a while. So if the boycott began today, you could expect it to last a few years.
There is no clear issue as to how to respond to this voter suppression, and it seems like it will be a case-by-case basis unless studios get involved. Disney shoots many of their Marvel shows and movies in Georgia, as does Netflix's Stranger Things.
If those cash-cows pull out, you could see a landslide of people following.
Organizer and Democratic party leader Stacey Abrams has yet to voice her opinion on the issue. She has not supported a boycott in the past, instead favoring organizing and education.
Let us know what you think in the comments.
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11 Comments
If anyone in Hollywood or in GA actually "Read" they would clearly understand this law is not what they are saying it is...there is nothing about the law that is racist.. ignorance is very dangerous..... I fully understand "Why" they want it to be racist it just simply is not...Hollywood seems to think it is in the "Know" and it can punish those who they do not like however the only ones they hurt is themselves by not making "Cheap" ( compared to HW) productions in a state that has many resources.... This "Boycott" will fizzle when the pencil pushers do the numbers... IMHO
March 30, 2021 at 3:42PM
Why read it when assumptions can be made to fit a narrative to show how woke you are?
March 31, 2021 at 7:33AM
I’ve read it. All of it.
Shutting down Sunday voting? Literally not reason for that other than because black people famously vote in large numbers on Sunday. (“Souls To The Polls” is what the black church refers to it as.)
No food at water given to people waiting 15 hours in line to vote in a black neighborhood (because they closed as many polling locations as possible to suppress the vote.)?
Yes, the bill is racist. It is designed to suppress POC.
April 3, 2021 at 7:12AM
Can’t people just bring their own food and water? I do that all the time when I have to wait in a long line. That way no one can use this as a way to influence people both Republicans or Democrats. So silly to hurt the people of Georgia. It won’t make a difference to my projects.
March 30, 2021 at 7:45PM, Edited March 30, 7:45PM
I agree, we need to stop any chance of making it more difficult for voter fraud to occur. I also believe the food and beverage issue is not exactly as how you are framing it.
"No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any person distribute or display any campaign material, nor shall any person give, offer to give, or participate in the giving of any money or gifts, including, but not limited to, food and drink, to an elector," the new law states.
I can give you a bottle of water if you really want one. *sigh*
March 31, 2021 at 6:23AM
Voter fraud and suppression is the name of the game for the Georgia GOP.
Gotta look to the source.
April 3, 2021 at 7:25AM, Edited April 3, 7:35AM
Boycotting making movies in Georgia is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. (Well, maybe not. "Woke" liberals do a lot of stupid things.) Is it "traveler suppression" to require a photo ID to get on a plane? Get serious! Georgia's voter law is not "voter suppression", it's just plain common sense, a rare commodity among Hollywood elites and apparently the author of this article. As a Georgia-born writer and filmmaker who spent 13 years in Hollywood before I "escaped", I WILL produce my next film in Georgia.
April 1, 2021 at 10:22AM
Clearly most of the adverse comments about the Georgia voting bill are not based in fact. Even the Presidents claims are pure fabrication and not supported by the facts. If the truth is important to you than you need to go to the source and do not accept second hand information.
April 1, 2021 at 11:33AM
Have you read the bill? I have. It is a bill designed specifically to suppress the black vote.
April 3, 2021 at 7:15AM
Proud to shoot in GA. Will continue to do so.
Friend to Republican/Democrat/Independent and will not change that for anyone.
April 1, 2021 at 11:40PM, Edited April 1, 11:40PM
I’ve always enjoyed NoFilmSchool’s diverse group of writers that raise awareness of power structures and how they affect the film industry.
Politics is a part of life, especially if one’s rights to participate in a democracy are trampled on by rich boys in suits.
April 3, 2021 at 7:52AM