TAG Film Society

TAG entertainment Society will investigate the state of thie film industry in Georgia. TAG Entertainment Society will investigate at the booming film industry in Georgia. Our panel of professionals will discuss how the recent Tax Incentives have helped to create a healthy and growing entertainment economy in Georgia. Listen to the film professionals tell the story!  sign up

Moderator

Fran Burst, Director, Producer, Writer

Producer/Director Fran Burst-Terranella has created more than 700 programs — from television shows, commercials, PSA’s and documentaries, to corporate image, sales and marketing, public relations, fund-raising, training and video for the web. An independent film and video maker, Fran is a founding member of IMAGE and Women in Film, Atlanta. She has served on the Governor’s Film and Video Advisory Board and is currently on the Board of NATAS’ Southeast chapter. She also serves on the Digital Media faculty at The Art Institute of Atlanta. As a director and producer, Fran specializes in projects that engage and entertain, and that move people to act. She has earned more than 100 national and international awards and her documentaries have aired nationally on TBS and ABC and statewide on GPTV. Fran’s clients include businesses and non-profits of every size and scope — from international Fortune 500 companies to national and Georgia non-profits. Although she works in many subject areas, she particularly seeks out projects on environmental issues. Fran is a life-long Southerner with degrees in Studio Art and Film making from the University of Texas at Austin.

Panelists

Gabriel Wardell, Executive Director, Atlanta Film Festival

From Slamdance to SILVERDOCS to Atlanta, Gabriel Wardell has over 15 years of film festival experience. Gabe helped launch the inaugural Maryland Film Festival and has programmed for AFI, the Baltimore Film Forum, Johns Hopkins, and Cinema Sundays at the Charles. As the executive director of the Atlanta Film Festival 365, Gabe is energized by the organization’s new strategic plan outlining how the festival will grow to international prominence and help solidify Atlanta as a production juggernaut. In December 2008, at the International Film Festival Summit, Gabe was honored by his peers with an Excellence Award for best Festival Director in the National Category.

Paula Martinez, Managing Director, Atlanta Film Festival

As Managing Director of the Atlanta Film Festival, Paula Martinez has brought a business focus to Atlanta Film Festival, recognizing its potential to become not only an iconic event in the region, but also a driver of economic development. She holds an MBA from Mercer University and a B.A. from Oglethorpe University. A convergence of art, culture and commerce, the Atlanta Film Festival bridges the gap between business and creativity all while holding onto its core nonprofit ideals and values. As a lover of the arts, Paula enjoys combining her business acumen with her passion for film.

Latanya Potts, President, Latanya Potts Casting

LaTanya Potts began casting more than 13 years ago. And whether it’s working on the Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac helmed, Miramax produced and Malcolm Lee directed blockbuster Soul Men, casting television programs such as Just Jordan, The Steve Harvey Show or Moesha, or the upcoming Louisiana-based indie trilogy, Skinned with director Joe Charbanic, LaTanya Potts Casting consistently goes beyond what the budget dictates and is keen on recognizing and cultivating new talent.

LaTanya Potts Casting has recently branched out and is now bi-coastal with an office in Los Angeles and Atlanta. During her time in the business, Potts has worn many hats in the industry, having worked at Paramount, CBS, Warner Bros. and FOX. In addition to casting, she has also worked as a talent coordinator for several award shows and as a producer for television and film. LaTanya has worked on the gamut of casting projects from studio to independent films; small and large budgets; predominantly African American to mainstream; and television, commercials and stunt casting.

Lee Thomas, Georgia Film Office

Lee Thomas is the Senior Locations Liaison for the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In addition to marketing the State as a filming location, Lee oversees the certification of the Film Tax Credit Incentive, which passed in 2005 and was revised in 2008. A native Atlantan, Lee received a Bachelor of the Arts in Radio TV Film from UGA and a Master’s Degree in Film from Georgia State University before entering the Tisch School of the Arts Doctoral Program at NYU. She returned to Atlanta in 1996 to work for the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office.

Wilbur Fitzgerald, Actor

Wilbur Fitzgerald is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and founding partner of Georgia Film Tax Consultants, LLC. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and serves as Vice President of the Georgia Branch of SAG.

Wilbur has had principal acting roles in over 100 films and television shows. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. degree in English and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University where he was a member of the Mercer Law Review and the moot court team.

In addition to being in private entertainment law practice in Atlanta, Wilbur has served as general counsel for the Georgia Municipal Association where he drafted tax legislation and worked as a lobbyist at the Georgia General Assembly. He also served as general counsel for the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia. He is currently active with the Georgia Production Partnership, Inc., where he was elected Secretary. In 2008 Wilbur was appointed to chair the Ad Hoc Industry Committee of the Georgia Film, Video Advisory Commission. This committee developed legislation which resulted in Georgia HB 1100 creating the new 30% tax incentives to bring film and television production to the State of Georgia.

Wilbur’s film and TV credits include: Benjamin Button, The Leo Frank Story, Legend of Bagger Vance, Glory Road, Savannah, I’ll Fly Away, Murder in Coweta County and House of Payne.