Making History! Tammy Williams, with a wealth of over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry spanning across film, biographies, documentaries, entertainment, network news, has made major moves and is set to rewrite history as the first majority Black female owner of a studio in Atlanta, Georgia with the creation of her new multi-million dollar Film/Television Cinema South Studios.
In partnership with Gary Guidry, investor, and CEO of G-Squared Events and Black Promoters Collective LLC, the executive expanded Cinema South Studios LLC (CSS), which will be operational in 2023.
The project, constructed on 60 acres will consist of “11 soundstages, a back-lot, a prop house, a wardrobe rental facility, a lighting grip rental house, a transportation company, and an office building with a theater and post-production facilities”, according to a press release.
“The demand for soundstages is happening globally and the ownership rarely looks like us let alone an African American woman,” Guidry says, adding, “When I choose to invest, I evaluate the need of the business and the ownership. Investing in Tammy Williams and her team of professionals convinced me that buying the land in Fayetteville, GA was a sound decision with the talents of her at the helm.”
“It’s an exciting time in Georgia’s booming film and television industry,” says Williams. “We are proud to be a part of this season of growth and opportunity. I am honored and thrilled that Gary Guidry, a brilliant entertainment powerhouse, is supporting the expansion of Cinema South Studios.”
Williams, from humble beginnings, launched her first digital production company, Tammy’ Dele Films in 2016. Before this, in 2012, she launched a job training film academy that offered weekend courses in film basics such as, set and office production assistant, lighting and grip, and hair and makeup. “We now offer twenty-five-plus workshops, says Williams. “Now our students will be first in line to work on productions at the Cinema South Studios facilities upon graduation.
“We have to get rid of the barriers that stop us. Let go of whatever makes us stop, whether it’s emotional or physical, we have to get and stay on that path to fulfill our purpose.”
Earlier this month, the veteran film producer dishing on the historic move disclosed been 12 years in the making.
“We’ve been patient,” she said. “This has not been an overnight thing, this vision for us.”
Cinema South will serve as the umbrella for Williams’ production company, Tammy’Dele Films. It will host the education section of Tammy’DeleFilms Workshops and Cinema South Film Academy, where she will conduct job training seminars.
Tyler Perry with his Tyler Perry Studios in Georgia – the largest film production studio in the United States, is the first African-American to outright own a major film production studio.
Williams majored in Mass Communications/Radio & Television Production. She began her career in television after college as an editor in news at WTVF CBS in Nashville, TN. She also worked at WRCB TV -NBC in Chattanooga, TN, creating short-form promos and commercials for the station, before proceeding to WDSU NBC, New Orleans, LA where she began writing long formatted documentaries and live shows.
