x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Boom

From WABE Studios, a weekly look at Atlanta’s growing film and television industry, through trending topics and origin stories of local filmmakers, cast, and crew. Hosted by entertainment and culture reporter Jewel Wicker.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

00:40:13

Talking, touring, and taking in Trilith

The Boom ·

2024/02/23

The second-largest film and TV production facility in the world is just over twenty miles from the heart of Downtown Atlanta, in Fayette County. Trilith Studios not only counts 32 sound stages (with two more on the way), the Georgia Film Academy, and all the functions of a one-stop production facility, it also includes the Town at Trilith. We head to the 1000-acre development for a tour and then have a conversation with Frank Patterson, president and CEO of Trilith Studios.Plus, WABE digital

en

00:25:07

Actress Iyana Halley on going from Atlanta to LA

The Boom ·

2024/02/16

Iyana Halley lived in Atlanta during high school and then began acting in Los Angeles but says, these days Atlanta is a great market to get your start. Halley talks about her starring role in “One Night Stay” from BET+, acting in “Beast” alongside Idris Elba, and the fan response she got after playing Taylor, Gregory’s girlfriend, on “Abbott Elementary.” Atlanta-based filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper also joins the show to talk about her new docuseries “James Brown: Say It Loud.” The series, which

en

00:33:58

Gary Anthony Williams on bringing family and...

The Boom ·

2024/02/09

Georgia state legislators have introduced a bill that would make changes to the state’s film tax credit. WABE business reporter Marlon Hyde talks with Jewel about House Bill 1180. One thing you can’t say about Gary Anthony Williams is that he isn’t staying busy. From voice-acting to live-action, among his 256 (and counting) IMDB credits are “The Boondocks,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Doc McStuffins,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.” Gary shares his acting origin story, going

en

00:32:51

Costume designer Mercedes Cook on creating historic...

The Boom ·

2024/02/02

Mercedes Cook never thought she’d be a costume designer. Even though it wasn’t on her radar, she’s found success in the film & TV industry. Mercedes talks about designing costumes for Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, and other civil rights leaders for “Genius: MLK/X,” as well as her work on “The Chi.” She also shares tips on how to get started in costuming. Mentioned this episode: Now filming in Georgia Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Nathan Deal’s op-ed in the

en

00:18:21

Rahul Bali explains the politics of Georgia’s film...

The Boom ·

2024/01/26

Georgia’s state legislature is in session and Senate Bill 366 has been filed, which aims to make audits and economic analyses of tax credits, including the one for film productions, more visible. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali shares what he’s hearing at the state capitol as lawmakers hint at additional legislation that could make changes to the film tax credit. Plus, AJC entertainment reporter Rodney Ho on the return of Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” as well as Tyler Perry’s upcoming BET+ show

en

00:27:07

Rashidi Hendrix on growing Atlanta’s industry

The Boom ·

2024/01/19

When it comes to the film and television industry, Rashidi Hendrix sees lots of potential for growth. The partner at Independent Artists Media explains what he sees as the next steps Atlanta’s industry must take to become an established market like Los Angeles or New York, how he stays creative as a manager, and shares lessons learned from the pandemic and two strikes. And, as awards season continues, Jewel has the latest winners, including a few projects filmed in Atlanta. This episode of The

en

00:33:42

Booker T. Mattison on teaching, filmmaking, and...

The Boom ·

2024/01/12

When he isn’t busy leading university courses on directing and screenwriting, Booker T. Mattison is making films. The University of Georgia professor and filmmaker talks about working in film and TV in Georgia and how he applies lessons learned from the industry to the classroom. Booker’s recent projects include “The Sound of Christmas” on BET+ and “Twisted Marriage Therapist” on Tubi. Plus, awards season is here and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, joins to talk about the

en

00:28:39

“I’ll Fly Away” - thirty years later

The Boom ·

2023/12/15

For the final episode of 2023, a special look back at the television show “I’ll Fly Away,” which filmed in Georgia from 1990-1993 and thoughtfully tackled issues related to race, racism, family, and more. WABE digital editor Kenny Murry reflects on how he discovered the show and what he heard from cast and crew when interviewing them for his retrospective last year. Actress Regina Taylor explains why she was drawn to her character, Lilly Harper, and Shay Bentley-Griffin shares her experience casting

en

00:34:07

C Scott Votaw on training the next generation of film...

The Boom ·

2023/12/08

The State of Georgia is all in on workforce development for TV and film production. C. Scott Votaw, assistant vice chancellor with the University System of Georgia, explains how the Georgia Film Academy (GFA), which he leads, trains Georgians in a variety of film and TV careers. Scott shares how you can take GFA courses, the GFA’s work with unions and production companies to provide internships, and how the GFA adjusts their curriculum to address the changing production landscape as technologies

en

00:26:52

Brian Egeston on writing shows and features

The Boom ·

2023/12/01

There is no one path to a career in the film and TV industry. Writer Brian Egeston had an entire career as an engineer before diving headfirst into writing for TV. Brian talks about going from the intense schedule of shows like “House of Payne” to the pace of NBC series “Perfect Harmony,” as well as the feature film “On a Wing and a Prayer.“ Mentioned this episode: SAG-AFTRA contract details “Reasonable Doubt” show moves production to Atlanta Kevin Hart’s “Die Hart” season three wraps This

en

00:28:53

A deep dive into the SAG-AFTRA contract with Shaan...

The Boom ·

2023/11/17

What’s in the new SAG-AFTRA contract? What resources are there for union members to learn more and make an informed vote? SAG-AFTRA board member Shaan Sharma talks with Jewel about the contract, his reservations surrounding AI agreements, and how the strike strengthened the union. Mentioned this episode: Atlanta Local contract informational meeting on 11/21 (in-person) SAG-AFTRA voting is open through December 5 SAG-AFTRA leadership defends the new contract TV series restart

en

00:07:04

SAG-AFTRA board member Shaan Sharma offers thoughts...

The Boom ·

2023/11/14

With SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP having reached a tentative agreement to end the actor’s strike after a record-breaking 118 days, national and local SAG-AFTRA board member Shaan Sharma shares his thoughts and breaks down important details of the agreement. Listen to Jewel’s full conversation with Shaan in Friday’s episode. This episode of The Boom was produced by Kevin Rinker and Jewel Wicker. Additional production and editing by Scotty Crowe. Original music by Matt Owen. SAG-AFTRA Approves Tentative

en

00:31:10

The SAG-AFTRA strike ends and LaRonda Sutton shares...

The Boom ·

2023/11/10

Georgia’s film tax credit is just one example of the many tools available to municipalities that want to encourage and support film and TV production. LaRonda Sutton, founder of Entertainment.gov, joins to talk about how her consulting firm works with local governments to help streamline production. LaRonda also shares how she transitioned from working in music to film and TV. Mentioned in this episode: “The South Got Something to Say” documentary from the Atlanta Journal

en

00:29:28

Cardellia Hunter explains Atlanta’s film permitting...

The Boom ·

2023/11/03

How does Atlanta come to life on screen? Lane closures, neighborhood meetings, public safety, workforce development – these are just a few of the areas Cardellia Hunter oversees during a typical week. As the director of film and entertainment for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, Cardellia plays an integral role in cultivating and supporting Atlanta’s film and TV industry. Cardellia joins Jewel to talk about how she began working in film and TV, Atlanta’s permitting process, and some of her

en

00:27:08

Erica S. Bream shares insights on casting in the...

The Boom ·

2023/10/27

As SAG-AFTRA works to negotiate a new contract with the AMPTP, they’re looking to update self-taped audition rules, a method of auditioning that casting director, consultant, and coach Erica S. Bream is very familiar with. Erica talks with Jewel Wicker about those rules, how the audition process has changed over the years, and shares some tips for those starting out in the film and TV industry. Mentioned in this episode: Crazy Legs Entertainment to produce forthcoming Prince film Tyler

en

00:25:30

Jermaine Johnson on opening 3 Arts Entertainment’s...

The Boom ·

2023/10/20

With offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Toronto, production and talent management company 3 Arts Entertainment added an Atlanta location in 2022. Manger and producer Jermaine Johnson heads up that office and joins Jewel Wicker to talk about why they wanted an Atlanta Location, the local talent they’ve signed, and some of their upcoming projects. Mentioned this episode: Glamour Profiles Millie Bobby Brown American Fiction Trailer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and

en

00:35:01

Anjanette Levert on documentary filmmaking in Georgia

The Boom ·

2023/10/13

The production landscape for documentary films in Atlanta looks different from that of narrative features and TV. Jewel Wicker discusses those differences with Anjanette Levert, a filmmaker, producer, director, and professor at Spelman College. They also talk about “The Only Doctor,” a documentary Anjanette produced about the sole working doctor in Clay County, Georgia. Plus, WABE’s Rahul Bali shares what he learned while attending a meeting with lawmakers to review Georgia’s film tax

en

00:26:38

David Alexander talks the necessary side hustle

The Boom ·

2023/10/06

Working a second or even third gig is not unusual for folks in the film and TV industry. When a strike or two brings production to a standstill, those gigs become a lifeline for workers, which is why actor and barber David Alexander created the website Talent Supporting Talent. Jewel sits down with David to talk about the importance of a side hustle for film and TV workers and how his website helps fellow industry workers with other skills find and hire each other. Sammie Purcell also joins to

en

00:29:45

Dee Dee Murray on building careers in music and film...

The Boom ·

2023/09/29

From appearing as Peaches on Outkast albums and managing Organized Noize Production to record promotion at Capitol Records and serving as the “free money lady” on Atlanta’s V-103 radio station, Dee Dee Murray has had a storied career in Atlanta’s arts and entertainment scenes. Jewel talks with Dee Dee about how she got started in the music industry before moving into film and TV and working on both sides of the permitting process. Mentioned in this episode: WGA reaches tentative agreement with

en

00:34:30

Kenya Morgan talks costuming

The Boom ·

2023/09/22

It took losing a job she’d held for 20 years at a sheet music company for costumer Kenya Morgan to enter the film and TV economy. Kenya sits down with Jewel to talk about how the Georgia Film Academy helped make that transition possible and the experience of being a costumer in the industry. Mentioned in this episode: Comedian Roy Wood, Jr. on City Lights with Lois Reitzes Ruth E. Carter in Atlanta Magazine This episode of The Boom was produced by Crystal DeVone, Kevin Rinker and Jewel

en

55 results

Similar Podcasts

Scoop Viewfinder

Gene Viewfinder

IGN Movie Reviews

IGN

The Adam Friedland Show Podcast

The Adam Friedland Show

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

David Yontef

Love Island: The Morning After

Lifted Entertainment part of ITV Studios