STUDIO NOTES
Entertainment is for All By Ryan C. Mi l l s ap
If a political system can protect Freedom and Flourishing as an umbrella of principal, then individuals are free to explore their deepest truths and deepest selves at their own pace and their own direction.
laws can have. But as an industry, we must only focus on the industry impact and sharing what that impact will be. I interact with our Georgian politicians on every side. I can assure you that we are dealing with intelligent and well-meaning people of integrity… who care about doing the right thing. I love our industry. I never want to see laws passed that can make us less competitive, and which might ultimately make us fail. I make a clear personal distinction between that which is good for me financially and that which is philosophically good. My focus as an industry leader is on what is economically good for all Georgians and all Georgians in entertainment. My focus as an individual human is how to live a rich, beautiful, and full life in harmony with the universe. Deep, philosophical questions are essential to human life, dignity, and flourishing. And yet, many deep philosophical questions do not belong in politics. The deep questions that mattered to the founders of our country as it relates to politics were largely constrained to three: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. If a political system can protect Freedom and Flourishing as an umbrella of principal, then individuals are free to explore their deepest truths and deepest selves at their own pace and their own direction. We are one of the few countries in the world that values individual freedom at the core of its history and identity. Continuing to live in a political way that cherishes and protects the breadth of human freedom is our greatest competitive advantage. Let’s encourage our leaders to stay true to our wise roots. And as an industry let’s be sure to honor the freedom of all: those with whom we individually agree and those with whom we disagree, staying above the fray of the causes best left to individual citizens. We simply want to make movies in Georgia for decades to come and be a growth engine for all Georgians of every race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or political persuasion. Let us stay fixed on the bipartisan nature of that worthy goal! It is with unity that we can find the greatest strength.
Photo courtesy Robin Henson Photographs
Ryan Millsap
I t’s very important that our stance, as representatives of the entertainment industry, remains politically neutral. The entertainment industry is inclusive, and accepts different race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and politics. As Americans, we are free to support whichever candidates we choose. But as an industry, it’s important we are cordial and kind to those on the right, the left, and to everyone in between. Recently, this industry has been used as a political football: Democrats started the “Stay and Fight” rallying cry, the unintended consequences being the Republican right became concerned that the entertainment industry is a liberal bastion and encouraging this industry is encouraging their own demise. Of course, we know we have liberal and conservative colleagues at every trade and level of this industry.
Ultimately, entertainment professionals in Georgia just want to keep their jobs here. Wages go farther and make for better lives. So, it’s important that our Democratic friends don’t act like they own or speak on behalf of this industry and it’s important that our Republican friends aren’t scared or in any way don’t feel accepted and honored by our industry. We are an industry of Georgians and this industry is good for Georgia as a whole. All races are welcome here. All religions. All genders. All political views. We are not a political block. We are individuals as diverse as Delta and Home Depot. If Georgia’s entertainment industry is politicized, it will die. We need to be above the fray, where all in neutral territory are welcomed. When laws like the heartbeat, religious liberty, or gender bathroom bills come up, we should help the politicians understand the impact these
Ryan C. Millsap is the Chairman & CEO of Blackhall Studios.
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