The Georgia Film industry has found a friend in Michael J. Coles, the recently appointed Chairman of the Georgia Film and Videotape Advisory Board. The appointment was made by Governor Roy Barnes, who has put his faith in Coles. "I know that Michael Coles will do a wonderful job representing our state to the leaders of this ever changing industry," said Barnes. "The fact that he successfully built a company from only one store in Georgia to a national franchise proves his marketing savvy and business acumen." Coles agrees that this is a perfect job for a business person. Coles stated that his first objective is, "to let the industry know that it's a new day in Georgia, to let the industry know we are going to make this a great experience, and let the industry know that we are going to find a way to make it worth their while to be in Georgia. Our biggest challenge is to get that message out there." Coles also wants to make sure that when something is going to be done in the states, that Georgia gets it. "We want it all! I want every project! We are not going to get every project, but we are going to get a lot more than we have been getting. If we don't get something, I am going to want to know why, not necessarily to hold somebody to task for not getting it, but to figure out how we don't lose the next one." Coles also thinks that the ever-growing technology business in Georgia is an important one to this industry. "One of the great assets that Georgia has, in addition to the fact that architecturally, geographically, and demographically we have so much to offer this industry to come here, in addition to that, we have a whole technology world in Georgia that is second to maybe only silicon valley." Coles goes on to say, "as you look at those three industries (film, video and music) and how closely they are tied in technology, we can offer that industry something that other places can't."

Coles sees a true partnership between business and government in the future. "Incentives will be part of what we will have to do to be competitive, but I really think that to bring people here, it is going to take more than just incentives. Georgia is a great place to work, it's going to be a very cooperative state, and it is also going to be that we can offer this technology arm that will work as a partnership with this industry. I think because of that, we are going to be able to get things done in a way that hasn't happened in years in this state." Coles is also looking forward to using his business acumen to work with business leaders in the state. "I am also looking to private sector solutions which are: we work with airlines, we work with hotels, we work with chambers of commerce, and I will tell you, once the commission is sworn in and off and running, just watch out! I am going to be traveling around the state meeting with leaders in the major communities, talking to hotel operators and restaurateurs." Coles believes the more private sector incentives, the better. That will be what gives Georgia the edge. Coles knows what is good for this industry, will also be good for the whole of Georgia. "People in the state also need to be aware that this is a great way to promote our state. It (the film and video industry) is a great industry: it's non-polluting, it doesn't create more traffic, it doesn't create more pollution, it doesn't create more water problems; it truly is an economic generator. It is a great economic engine for the state, but in addition to that, when our state is in a movie, or when Georgia is in a TV series, it lets more people know what Georgia is all about."

The Georgia Film & Videotape Advisory Board oversees the film and videotape division of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism. The Georgia Film & Videotape Office promotes the state as a shooting location for feature films and for television and commercial production.