AUSTIN, Texas — No more need to fear the dead walking around in Central Texas because AMC's hit series "Fear the Walking Dead" is leaving the Lone Star State and taking its production to Savannah, Georgia, the Austin Film Commission confirmed to KVUE Thursday.
"It's hard because I mean, you know, we've all come to love these walking zombies around Austin, right," said Mindy Raymond, communications director at Texas Media Production Alliance. "They've been in Round Rock and Bastrop and all these great little communities that have reaped that benefit."
As they prepare to depart Texas, Brian Gannon, director at the Austin Film Commission, said shows like this one spend about $50,000 an hour. This includes paying for technicians, actors, directors, and the production staff, but their reach goes beyond the film industry.
"They're buying lumber," said Gannon. "They're using local hardware stores. The cast and crew are going out to dinner. They're staying at hotels. They're doing a lot of vehicle rentals. They're renting studio space. They're renting equipment like cameras and lighting."
While AMC hasn't given an official reason for their departure, Gannon believes it's because of Georgia's high incentive program.
"Incentives have become a huge draw," he added. "The accountants kind of look at things before the creatives look at things, so it's become very competitive."
Texas offers grants of up to 22.5% money back, depending on how much a production company spends. Georgia offers tax credits of up to 30%.
"Fear the Walking Dead" has filmed its last four seasons in the Austin-metro area. Production of the show began in Austin back in 2016 when the show left California. The first episode shot in Texas aired in 2017.
KVUE reported back in February that Round Rock had announced road closures as the show filmed more episodes. The show also filmed in small Central Texas towns such as Bartlett, Lytton, La Grange and Manor.
Production of the show is expected to end here on Dec. 17.
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