The Georgia University System has appointed C. Scott Watow as Executive Director of the Georgia Film Academy (GFA).
A 35-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Votaw’s experience includes training planning and curriculum creation, as well as global experience in film production, 2D/3D animation, special effects, motion capture and post-production.
“Together with GFA’s amazing team of professionals, I hope to use years of global industry experience and relationships to expand partnerships and train more Georgians to work in the ever-changing film, television and digital entertainment industries,” Votav said. “I look forward to strengthening our collaboration with our partner institutions and industry stakeholders, using new technologies to transform the way content is created and consumed, while creating innovative teaching and learning experiences for students and adult learners across the state.”
Votav began his career in Hollywood working on sets for commercials, films and television series, and later worked for production companies including Saban, Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd. and other independent content creation companies.
Most recently, he worked as an international consultant at CSV-Consulting for studio infrastructure providers, workforce development and emerging technology companies in the film and entertainment industry in Asia Pacific.
A native of Georgia, Votav also previously served as vice president of production and development at Classic Entertainment for seven years and president of KidzVid Entertainment for six years, leading programming for the US and global market.
He succeeded former GFA chief executive Jeffrey Stepakoff, who stepped down in July to set up a talent management and production company.
Since its inception in 2015, the GFA has responded to the growing education and workforce needs of Georgia’s burgeoning film and creative industries by providing vocational training opportunities to 28 institutions across the state, including those in the Georgia University System and the Georgia Technical College System.
This includes the Filmmaking, Post-Production and Digital Entertainment Certification Program, which provides students with the opportunity to gain real-life experience working on set and in the office in film and television production, as well as industry post-production facilities.
GFA is also partnering with the Georgia Department of Education to provide training for high school teachers in production, content creation, and post-production, providing professional film and television experiences, as well as curricula and resources for teachers across the state.
Georgia is gaining momentum as a leader in the film industry and is expected to create around 40,000 jobs for Georgian filmmakers with an average salary of $84,000.
With over 100 soundstages and the industry’s largest incentive program, film and TV production spent $4.4 billion in Georgia in FY 2022, a new industry record.
Post time: Mar-22-2023