During their virtual online meeting on May 24, the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) presented the panel discussion, Street Scenes: Shooting in Georgia Then and Now. In a conversation moderated by Director Rob Hardy, Director Angela Barnes, 2nd AD Yor-El Francis, Producer Dianne Ashford, and Georgia Film Office Director Lee Thomas discussed the unique experience of working on a film or TV set in Georgia.
During the discussion, the panelists also covered topics including pandemic working conditions and the differences in on-set representation compared to other film hubs, the impact of Right to Work laws on unionism in the industry, the Georgia tax incentive, and the impact of voting rights legislation on film and TV workers in the area. They also fielded questions submitted by the online audience.
See video from this event in the gallery below.
About the Panelists:
 Director Angela Barnes
Barnes is an Atlanta-based director whose credits include episodes of Mythic Quest, Teenage Bounty Hunters, American Soul, Legacies, Carol’s Second Act, One Day at a Time and Blindspotting. A DGA member since 1996, she is also a former ABC/Disney directing fellow and participated in both the Fox Global Director Initiative and Fox Comedy Apprentice Program. |
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 2nd AD Yor-El Francis
A graduate of the DGA’s Assistant Directors Training Program, Francis joined the Guild in 2005. His resume includes feature films such as Michael Lembeck’s Queen Bees, Benny Boom’s All Eyez on Me and Malcolm D. Lee's Barbershop: The Next Cut; and series including Staircase, Genius, American Soul, Love Thy Neighbor, Constantine, Zeke and Luther and Brothers & Sisters.
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 Producer Dianne Ashford
Ashford is the CEO and President of Symmetry Entertainment and has been producing and line producing for over 15 years. Her producing credits include the documentary, Alpha Man: The Brotherhood of MLK, Jr.; and series such as Terror Lake Drive, Ambitions, and Survivor’s Remorse. She has also worked as a Production Supervisor with credits including Tod Williams’ Cell and Rockmond Dunbar’s Pastor Brown; and series including The Red Road and The Game. |
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 Georgia Film Office Director Lee Thomas
Thomas is a Deputy Commissioner at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and division director of the Georgia Film Office. A native of Atlanta, in 1996 she began her work for the Georgia Film and Videotape Office as a project manager, and then became a location specialist for the office in 1998. After finding locations for film and television projects for 12 years, Thomas became director of the film division in 2010. |
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 Director Rob Hardy (moderator)
A DGA member since 2007, Hardy’s directorial credits include features such as The Gospel and Pandora’s Box, the pilots for the series& Raising Kanan and All American; and series including: Power Book II: Ghost, Prodigal Son, Evil, Shameless, Black’ish, Stargirl, Doom Patrol and Grey’s Anatomy. |
About the Committee:
Eastern Diversity Steering Committee
The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent residing in the East. Committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members, the Committee sponsors workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking events to showcase the talents of its members, recognize their contributions and increase their visibility in the industry. The Committee’s current Co-Chairs are Directors Jono Oliver and Louis Venosta and Associate Director Joyce A. Thomas.