VALDOSTA — Film industry experts are coming to South Georgia to emphasize how every part of the state can find a role in the movie business.

The South Georgia Regional Meeting of the Georgia Production Partnership in conjunction with the Georgia Film Office is scheduled 1:30-2:30 p.m., Oct. 11, at the Valdosta State University Student Union Theatre.

VSU Film and Video Society hosts the event, which the university describes as “an opportunity to showcase how the film industry impacts the Peach State, as well as how communities outside of Atlanta are attracting film productions to their cities.”

The Oct. 11 meeting marks the first time GPP is bringing its regional meeting to South Georgia.

Stratton Leopold, producer and vice president of production for Paramount Pictures, is the scheduled guest speaker. He will explore the challenges and opportunities of the film industry in Georgia.

Jason Brown is an associate professor of mass media for the VSU department of communication arts. He is also the South Georgia Film Festival director.

“As much as we teach students about what film production means, seeing the nuts and bolts in front of their eyes will make a difference,” Brown said.

Jeffrey Stepakoff, executive director of the Georgia Film Society, will speak and will focus on behind-the-scenes training available.

“We need to show people how film benefits the entire state. One of the things I’d like to say is every person in the state can be involved in the film industry,” said Lisa Ferrell, GPP co-president.

Ferrell said the partnership visits multiple regions to emphasize the impact the film industry can have statewide. The Valdosta meeting will focus on the film industry’s impact, its growth, people’s involvement in it and its future.

She said beyond the actors are production assistants, lighting personnel, caterers, etc.

“It’s like a tiny village that goes into creating one production,” she said.

The arrival of GPP in Valdosta, rather than Thomasville or Savannah, indicates the city’s worth in consideration for productions both small and large across the region, Brown said.

“Having these film professionals come to Valdosta reinforces what we try to show our students about the economic impact of film on our community,” he said. “Preparing for the film industry in Valdosta situates us to support industry in our community broadly.”

Craig Dominey, manager of the Camera Ready program for Georgia Film Office, said 455 projects have been filmed in Georgia in 2018, holding a $9.5 billion impact.

Ferrell said the film industry has generated about $5 billion in Georgia in 2017.

South Georgia has been the setting for films such as “Gator,” “Zombieland,” etc.

The finale of “Zombieland” was shot at Wild Adventures Theme Park.

“It was a big production for Valdosta,” Dominey said.

Admission to the regional meeting is free to GPP members, but costs $10 for non-members. Pre-registration can be completed by visiting georgiaproduction.org until 11:59 p.m., Oct. 7.

To find a county liaison for the Camera Ready program, which aids communities with promotion of their locations and act as a film contact, visit ga.org/cameraready.