The Hunger Games 3 - Mockingjay Filming Underway in Newnan

December 18, 2013

Caldwell Tanks Factory Newnan GA / B. Wargula

Filming of the third installment of The Hunger Games series began this week in old downtown Newnan, Georgia at the Caldwell Tanks Industrial facility. This is the same facility that was used in The Walking Dead TV series zombie death match scenes. One of the large industrial buildings is being used to house the coliseum set. Cast and crew trailers have been set up inside the gated complex. The set is being kept under wraps and heavily guarded, but you may see some of the stars and crew out and about in the area soon. This installment in the Hunger Games is set to be one of the biggest budget films to film in the area to date. There are sure to be many more to come, following the opening of  Pinewood Studios in Fayette County in 2014.

   The cast will break next week for the Holidays and return to continue filming in early January. The rumor is that they are filming scenes from Katniss and Finnick’s confession in District 12. Whatever the scene is, it apparently involves busloads of extras as they are being seen all over town with staging areas in the local Dillard's and Goodwill parking lots.
see also the Newnan Times Herald Article Here

More Pinewood Atlanta Studio News

The British Studio that brought us the latest James Bond movies as well as recent titles like “Pacific Rim,” “World War Z,” “Captain Phillips,” and “Gravity.” is scheduled to begin operation of Phase 1 of its Fayette County studio, Pinewood Atlanta, in January 2014. Located just outside Peachtree City GA, Phase 1 will consist of a 100,000 Sq Ft sound stage as well as another 100,000 square feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of workshops. The studio has announced the first production on this site will be a major film. Phase 2 and 3 will include a 600,000 sq. ft. sound stage as well as 70 acres of managed back lot on the 280 acre facility.
    Rumor has it Truett Cathy's independently managed trust River's Rock LLC, played a large role in bringing the studio to this location. Georgia’s Entertainment Industry Investment Act, which offers huge tax credits to companies exceeding $500,000 in Georgia production and post-production spending also helped lure the project. The potential positive financial impact to the surrounding area stands to be huge and far reaching.

 Pinewood Atlanta Studios construction progress as of October 2013. Photo: Pinewood Atlanta Studios

Hunger Games "Mockingjay" Filming In Newnan

Filming for the Next installment in The Hunger Games series "Mockingjay" is set to begin production near old downtown Newnan in the same area used by The Walking Dead for the zombie death match scenes. Film crews are already at work at the Caldwell Tanks Industrial complex building the coliseum set. This installment will be a two part movie with the first part scheduled to be in theaters in November of 2014. Mockingjay will be one of the highest profile movies to film in the area so far with many more to come! The set will be closed to the public. Dec. 18, UPDATE HERE
the article in the Newnan Times-Herald HERE for more info.

Why Film In Newnan Georgia? Location, Location, Location...

Why do so many movie and television productions choose the the Newnan, Coweta County Georgia area to film? I once heard a film producer refer to Newnan as the quintessential American hometown. This is the place Norman Rockwell would have felt at home and the feel of the era of a simpler time is preserved here in the areas architecture, culture and lifestyle. It's like a ready made hometown USA set that can be easily transformed to fit just about any historic era. There are also many nearby scenic,historic, and rural areas ready made for filming. And all only 30 minutes from the worlds busiest airport in Atlanta.

Over the past decade many film projects have filmed in Newnan and nearby areas of the county such as Senoia and Grantville. From the current productions of AMC's the Walking Dead, Drop Dead Diva  to big budget movies like Zombieland, Dumb and Dumber To (2), 2012s Lawless and many others (see List) Coweta County has been gracious hosts and has in return the community has reaped financial benefits. The future promises to bring even more film action with the continuing production of the wildly popular Walking Dead and Drop Dead Diva as well as the nearby opening of Pinewood Studios Atlanta.

Old Courthouse Downtown Newnan

Old Factory Newnan, GA used in The Walking Dead

Parrot Camp Soucy House Newnan GA

Historic Dunaway Gardens

Newnan Hospital

Historic Downtown

Norman Reedus Out and About In Old Downtown Newnan

Norman Reedus, Star of AMC's The Walking Dead, was spotted on the town square in Newnan, GA recently and took a moment to pose with a lucky fan. He had to dash I'm sure before the hordes of obsessed female fans spotted him and descended on him like a mod of zombies! Just kidding, this is Newnan the fans are respectful round here. The Newnan area has been the primary filming location for the show since the series began. The cast and crew have gained a local reputation for being a considerate and friendly bunch.

Norman Reedus Newnan, GA Sept. 2013

Grantville Georgia gears up for 'Dumb and Dumber' filming | CharlotteObserver.com

Grantville gears up for 'Dumb and Dumber' filming | CharlotteObserver.com
The new sequel to the 1994 movie “Dumb and Dumber” will have scenes filmed in Grantville (Coweta County) starting September 30,2013. See Newnan Times Herald story HERE

Pinewood Studios Create Possible Jobs for Grady Grads

Film Training Open House

In conjunction with the Pinewood Studios Atlanta location opening, Clayton State University will be offering Entertainment Industry Training Courses this fall in Peachtree City. They will be hosting an open house on Saturday October the 26th 2013 at the Pinewood Atlanta location inside Rivers Elementary school at 461 Sandy Creek Rd. in Fayetteville, Georgia. Call 678-466-5050 to register for the open house.