Netflix has indicated that it intends to end all production in the state of Georgia due to the recent passing of the Heartbeat Bill, the controversial new law that that bans abortion after a heartbeat is detected in an embryo.
According to Netflix, the company will reconsider its “entire investment” in Georgia if the state decides to implement the recently enacted law. This includes removing all current and future television and movie productions from Georgia, making Netflix the first Hollywood production studio to take a clear stance on this controversial issue.
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos indicated that his company does not support the bill, and that the state of Georgia should expect for them to fight against it.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law. It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court,” said Sarandos. “Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there—while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
On May 7, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Heartbeat Bill, meaning that the state of Georgia will effectively make it illegal to abort a fetus after a heartbeat is detected. Since that time, the state has received a stream of continuous backlash from the Hollywood elite, which includes many well-known actors and directors.
Although similar bills have been passed in neighboring Alabama and Kentucky, Georgia is the only state that seems to bother the movie industry, most likely due to its status as a hotspot for production over the last 10 years.
The state of Georgia is an attractive place for production companies to do business. Since 2008, the state has offered a 30 percent tax credit for those who bring film projects to the state. This is an incredible opportunity for production companies, and has made Georgia a popular choice of studios around the country. State officials indicate that during 2018, Hollywood and the movie industry brought more than 92,000 jobs to Georgia with over and $2.5 billion in direct spending. In fact, one of this year’s largest grossing films, Marvel’s “Black Panther”, was filmed in Georgia. In addition, “The Avengers”, “Stranger Things”, and an additional 450+ movies and TV projects were filmed in 2018 in Georgia.
Netflix’s decision is important for many reasons. An economic boycott of Georgia can have a huge effect on the state, and will certainly get the attention of Georgia’s voters and lawmakers. It is also sure to draw the ire of conservatives, who largely support Georgia’s new law. Some Americans have already called for a boycott for the streaming service in return.
In addition to Netflix, the Producers Guild of America and the ACLU have also threatened to boycott the state of Georgia if the law is enacted. The Motion Picture Association of America has also commented on the Georgia law by indicating that it has been monitoring the current situation and events.
~ Conservative Zone
