With construction still underway, Athens film and TV studio buys more land for expansion
In anticipation of film and television industry demand for its 200,000 square feet of purpose-built production space, Athena Studios has announced the purchase of an additional 65 acres of land adjacent to the original 45-acre site currently under construction at 900 Athena Dr.
The expansion will add 350,000 square feet to the already massive facility, which is scheduled to open its initial phase on Mar. 1, 2023 with the ability to host productions of any size. The increased acreage will allow for the construction of backlot space, and will make Athena one of the largest production studios in Georgia.
More than 300 workers have been involved with the construction of the studio.
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Athena Studios CEO Joel Harber told the Banner-Herald that the University of Georgia and Georgia Film Academy (GFA) building, which will also house the studio's business office entrance, will be opening in late fall 2022. Aimed at creating a local industry workforce through its partnership with UGA and GFA, the building includes a 14,000-square-foot learning center with its own sound stage.
Harber said that the studio will have a secure gate located past the UGA and GFA building, and sound stages, mill, offices and base camp will be located inside the secure area. The stages will be equipped with "silent air" systems so that productions will be able to record clear audio without having to turn off the air-conditioning while filming, and industry standard Insul-Quilts will be utilized for soundproofing.
The expanded secure backlot will offer a variety of spaces to build sets and film outdoor scenes. Athena has partnered with Atlanta-based Raulet Property Partners, which matches film and television productions with Georgia studio space, and Forest Park-based Cinelease, which provides lighting and grip equipment, power distribution, grip trucks, expendables and heavy equipment to productions around the United States.
“We’re stepping up to meet the industry’s demand,” said Harber. “We’re proud to play such an important role in Georgia’s TV and film industry, bringing opportunity to the hundreds of crew and experienced vendors in and around Athens.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens film and TV studio buys more land for expansion
