GA STREAMING
Content King Ryan Millsap, Chairman and CEO of The Blackhall Group, conceives his latest film industry venture By Ca ro l Bada r acco Padge t t
S ome people follow movements, while others create them. Some interpret data, while oth- ers generate it. Some are busy finding them- selves, while others are productive being who they are. Atlantan Ryan Millsap is the latter in each of these scenarios. He creates, generates, and produces his own brand of results in the film industry and beyond. “One of my gifts is seeing opportunities that are be- ing neglected or hidden in plain sight, and understand- ing the growth of industries in a manner that allows me to take action early,” he says when asked how he contin- ues to innovate and build powerful businesses within the film and real estate industries. Millsap recently sold the ultra-successful Blackhall Studios in Atlanta near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Inter- national Airport to LA-based Commonwealth Group, a private equity firm. Of the sale of the studios he opened in 2017, which became one of the largest film produc- tion complexes in the state with 165 acres, 850,000 square feet of interior space, and nine sound stages, he says the decision was a natural progression. “I had a lot of my personal net worth tied up in the studio, and it was a lot of risk tied to an element of the entertainment industry that is completely dependent on the tax credit remaining in place,” Millsap says. “If the tax credit falters, studio space that is a real estate play is worth very little in Georgia.” He adds, “I worked very hard to build Blackhall Studios into an international footprint, and it allowed me to exit the Atlanta asset at a great time.” So with a metaphorical blank sheet of paper before him, Millsap set out to do what he does best as a self- described opportunistic entrepreneur—he took original action. “I’m an adventurous and curious spirit, open minded and searching for understanding,” he describes when asked about his business acumen. The latest concept to spring from a page in Millsap’s imagination is Blackhall Americana, a new streaming service that will offer original programming in a genre he finds to be under-represented by the OTT giants like Netflix and Prime: Action Adventure. Specifically, Millsap says that Blackhall Americana’s films will explore quintessentially American characters who exhibit American virtues. “Qualities like self-reli-
Ryan Millsap
“ The future of Georgia entertainment is only now just beginning. So grab some popcorn, or a camera, and get
ready for 10 years of growth that will blow your mind. An epic adventure is on the horizon! ”
Photo by Scott Areman Photography
ance, self-determination, self-defense, and a ruggedly independent ability to survive and thrive,” he explains. Some examples of the types of films that Blackhall Americana will both showcase and have in mind when creating original content are Braveheart , the Bourne se- ries, Atomic Blonde , and the old 007 movies. And Millsap says his new streaming service will also have an entire di- vision devoted to military shows and movies, a la Black Hawk Down . “Americans are a culture of bad-asses,” Millsap reflects. “And there is a huge part of the market both domestically and internationally that wants to see movies and streaming shows that reflect the virtues of good humans [who] aren’t afraid to fight evil and who are damn good at kicking ass when it’s required.” When asked how he first conceived of a streaming service devoted entirely to the genre, his answer circles back to his ability to see opportunities hidden in plain sight. “I observed Hollywood over many years and how they make decisions in California, and how under-sup- plied large portions of the American population are that crave action/adventure content that isn’t being produced in large enough quantity to meet the intrinsic demand.”
Then he adds, “ Yellowstone is doing so well because it is speaking to this neglected audience of Americans.” Like Blackhall Studios, Blackhall Americana will be based in Georgia inside what Millsap describes as a series of opportunity zones. “Georgia is a perfect home for a streaming service that celebrates these American virtues,” he notes. Yet, both a strong crew base in the state as well as other favorable economic factors play into the decision. “The tax credit is a nice bonus, just as it is for Disney to make content in Georgia. But just like Disney, we are planning a company that does not need the tax credit to survive.” In closing, the content king and visionary offers this insight: “The future of Georgia entertainment is only now just beginning. So grab some popcorn, or a camera, and get ready for 10 years of growth that will blow your mind. An epic adventure is on the horizon!”
For content submission, visit www.BlackhallAmericana.com. @blackhallamericana
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