Frank Patterson has led Trilith Studios for almost a decade. In that time, the studio was home to major productions, including "The Avengers" and the latest "Superman."

At its 1peak, production spending in Georgia 2reached over $4 billion in 3fiscal year 2022. That's more than Hollywood reported that same year. But it's 4fallen off a cliff since, with about half that spent in the Peach State in the last year, according to the Georgia Film Office.

"The 5drop in spend in Georgia is 6indicative of what's happened across the United States."

Georgia still has an attractive 7tax break for production companies, and in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the state's film and TV tax credit program. Both states hoping to lure production back from overseas.

"I've 8lived through three of these business cycles where we, for example, 9offshore content and the 10macroeconomic forces change and product comes back."

For Patterson, this is an opportunity to 11usher in a new generation of storytellers and focus beyond blockbusters. It starts with Jeremy Garelick opening a new hub at Trilith for American High South to help expand Gen Z-focused content.

"I wouldn't come down here and buy low if I didn't believe that we're going to sell high. This thing is about to 12take a turn and Atlanta and Georgia is going to be a huge hub for creators, for film makers very soon, there's going to be jobs coming back here."

Garelick and his team aim to 13generate four productions a year starting in 2026.