To get an idea of what Georgia’s film industry can mean to local actors, take a look at Sharon Morris Conley’s imdb.com page.
She’s been seen in episodes of locally produced television shows including “Meet the Browns,” “Single Ladies, “Drop Dead Diva” and “Necessary Roughness,” and in locally made movies including big-screen features “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” and “What To Expect When You’re Expecting,” along with the Hallmark Channel’s “Firelight” and ABC Family’s “Christmas Cupid.” She’s also appearing in a featured role in “Rectify,” a Sundance Channel drama that films south of Atlanta.
“‘Rectify’ is filming in Griffin, Ga. Who’da thunk it?” she quipped.
Her acting career began with a blizzard in 2008. She was thrilled to land a role in “The Secret Life of Bees, ” starring Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning, but less than thrilled to be driving through sleet and snow on the way to North Carolina, where the movie filmed.
More work brought more travel. Her role in “The Lucky One” with Zac Efron meant a trip to New Orleans and her work on the first “Hunger Games” movie meant another trip to North Carolina.
Now, she can stay busy and stay put. Conley’s career continues blossoming at home as Georgia’s film industry continues to thrive.
“I would literally be going out west for roles,” had the industry not taken off so significantly since Georgia passed its filming tax incentives. Instead, the mother of two can stay put and stay busy.
“It’s been very impactful for me,” said Conley, who has recently worked on “The Good Lie” with Reese Witherspoon and “Endless Love” with Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde, which have been filming in Atlanta this spring and summer. “I can go home at night after I go to work. It makes the availability of jobs phenomenal.”
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