What Do Netflix’s “Free Bert,” “His and Hers,” and “Stranger Things” Have in Common?
Georgia locations, crew and a broad appreciation of Southern flavor
By Carol Badaracco Padgett
When you’re filming on location in Georgia, as many productions have this year and last, you get it. The state’s locations, crew, infrastructure, and Southern hospitality are unbeatable.
Major productions, like Netflix’s recent “Free Bert,” choose metro Atlanta, including locations in Dunwoody such as Perimeter Mall and elsewhere around DeKalb County.
The 2024 Christmas film "Red One" starring The Rock and Chris Evans also utilized Perimeter Mall for some of its shots.
If you don’t come across production when you’re out and about, you will spot familiar locations on your screen at home.
Here’s what film and television professionals from around the country report about their recent experiences filming in Georgia, much of it captured by the Georgia Film Office’s video series on YouTube:
“I love Georgia. I love the smell of Georgia. I love the red clay. I named my daughter Georgia.”-Bert Kreischer, comedian and actor, “Free Bert”
“This is our first time working in Georgia, and it has been great so far. Everybody’s been super incredible.”-Jarrad Paul and Andy Mogel, showrunners/directors, “Free Bert”
“They call ‘Cut’ and we all just sit in the living room and talk. We’re a big family here … it’s Georgia.”-Bert Kreischer, comedian and actor, “Free Bert”
“The Film Commission in Georgia has been really accommodating to us. They were really helpful early on setting us up with contacts for key crew personnel, for the union, just to help us set up in that early pre-prep, to hit the ground running.”-Danielle Blumstein, producer/UPM, “Free Bert”
“Atlanta’s unique advantage in the film industry—diverse filming locations and a welcoming atmosphere—sets it apart from other major production hubs.”-Schenley Sargusingh, Atlanta-based professional gaffer
“This is the longest place I’ve lived consecutively in my life because of ‘Stranger Things’ [filming here]. For me, this is home.”-Millie Bobby Brown, actress, “Stranger Things”
“The level and talent on this crew is just beyond, totally equal to what you’d find in New York and Los Angeles, which is really huge ...”-Jon Bernthal, actor, “His & Hers”
“There’s so many productions just constantly, so there’s also this community. So it creates this vibrant energy of creation. It’s the South—there’s such a warm embrace.”-Tessa Thompson, actress, “His & Hers”
Stills from the filming of "Free Bert":
