My family received complimentary tickets to the Southern Hollywood Film Tour through the travel campaign with New Creative Media. All opinions expressed are my own and my family’s. Any additional expenses incurred were my own.
Zombies are everywhere! That’s the first thought that entered my mind when I entered the Peachtree City Convention Center, home of the Southern Hollywood Film Tour, and discovered began our journey into the land of The Walking Dead. No one, or at least not me, thinks of the South in terms of film and television production, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Peachtree City and nearby Senoia are the backdrop for the series, Drop Dead Diva and The Walking Dead, along with movies like Fried Green Tomatoes and Sweet Home Alabama. Our tour guide, who had moved to Georgia from California twenty years ago to work in what is now Raleigh studios, began our tour by explaining a little of the history of film making in Georgia. Originally distrustful of film makers, the police were on the scene when Jake landed his plane on a local lake to dole out a $300 ticket.
Our next stops were the filming locations of Drop Dead Diva. Since the show is no longer being produced, the sets were being dismantled and replaced with sets and props for the upcoming show, Duty. The excitement was mounting as we drove toward Raleigh Studios, the filming location of The Walking Dead. Because it is expensive to move sets, this is the perfect setting for apocalyptic Zombie scenes, as the area surrounding the studio includes railroad tracks, a large pond and the forest. Originally open, it’s all been fenced off after the filming of the third season of The Walking Dead, due to all the people from around the world who tried to sneak onto the set. Unfortunately, it was Saturday and there was no filming taking place, but our guide had moved from California 20 years ago to work in the Southern Film Industry and was well informed on all the Hollywood ins and outs.
We continued our tour to Senoia, formerly a sleepy little hamlet that has blossomed thanks to the film industry. Main street could easily look the same as it did 100 years ago, with the exception of modern additions like Zac Brown’s cafe. “Does this street remind you of anything?” our guide asked. It turns out the main street was used in the filming of Driving Miss Daisy. While I was busy snapping pictures of all the famous locations in the town, my daughter discovered the French cafe with homemade gluten free macaroons. I don’t know which of us had a better time in Senoia! Here’s some shots of my favorite places:
I had to snap a picture of one of the prison cells from the set of The Walking Dead. I also *coerced* Brittany and Justin to have their picture snapped while sitting on the cot. “Don’t you want to be ready for the zombie apocalypse?” I asked them.
This home is known around town as the “Fried Green Tomatoes House.” It certainly looked inviting.
This is the bridge used in the tunnel scenes from The Walking Dead. A tunnel entrance was created on both sides and all outdoor filming was done here.
This is the location where the next two seasons of The Walking Dead will be filmed. It’s inside the town of Senoia and there is a fence being constructed around it right now to keep people out. I got a kick out of finding out this was previously a Southern Living Show Home area. From designer showplace to zombies is a huge difference!
Interested in getting touch with your inner Hollywood Diva or Zombie side?
That’s pretty cool! My husband is a huge TWD fan so he would have loved to go on that tour. I’m not a zombie fan myself but it would still be cool.
Fun! I am always interested in doing things like this.
What a cool tour! I’m sad that Drop Dead Diva is over, though I guess it was time.
That is so cool. I love that you got that opportunity!
Nice! It’s always cool to get a first hand look at stuff like this.
I’m so far beyond jealous! What an awesome opportunity! Good for you!!
Very cool! I don’t even watch walking dead, and I’d be alll over this!
That looks like a great time! I would mind visiting that….i don’t know about the whole walking dead part though….
This looks like a really cool tour. I’d love to do it!
I have to admit that would be a pretty fascinating trip. The post was fascinating, so I bet it was a million times better in person. Very cool!
So far everything you have posted I’ve liked “Mom”. I like anything having to do with the Supernatural. Aloha!
My husband would be all over this. What a cool opportunity and nice scenery
That is so cool! I know that is such a popular show.
What a great tour! I’ve never watched it before, but some of my friends love it.
Looks like a really great trip! How fun!
I’ve never seen the walking dead but I bet that was a lot of fun
THis is soo cool. I love seeing the behind the scenesand the sets for movies.
How fun! I love your photos.
I am BEYOND excited for the next season of Walking Dead. My husband and I started it on Netflix one night and got through all of the seasons in a few weeks. October can’t come soon enough!
Oh what fun! My husband loves the walking dead. I’m not really a fan but he absolutely loves it and would love visiting! So fun
I’m a HUGE Walking Dead fan. How amazing to tour the locations! I can’t wait for the new season 🙂
How awesome, I would love to visit inside. I drove through somewhere in California where there were a lot of film homes but it was during work so we didn’t have time to get info.
I didn’t realize GA was the home to several mainstream shows and movies. My DD will just be flying back from there tomorrow as she was visiting family!
THat looks like a totally fun tour. I have to admit I am not a Walking Dead fan, but I’d love to go on this tour.
It is so cool that you got to visit where they film The Walking Dead! I can’t wait to see what happens at Terminus!
My husband would love something like this. He is a huge fan!!!!
Looks like an amazing way to spend the day, looks rich in history!
That looks soo neat! I love visiting historical sites like that. How fun!
I’d love to see this in person! What a fun tour.
That is just awesome. When I was at Mom 2.0, we were at a bar the actors apparently like, but didn’t see anyone. (Where were you Daryl???)
How cool.. thanks for sharing I’ve stalked you on twitter during your trip and couldn’t wait to read all about it. This is sooo super cool… I had no idea that it was taped in Georgia.. looks totally different in the movies.. what a cool set. Thanks for sharing with us.. can’t wait to hear lots more…
Funny I see this! My friend just toured Terminus, the house Rick and Carl stood at after separating, the tracks, and even container A. Super awesome to see..
I had NO IDEA that The Walking Dead was taped in Georgia. We love that show, and Ga is just one state away from us 🙂
We love watching “The Walking Dead!” Sounds like you had a great time! 🙂
How cool! I can’t believe they have to build THAT high of a fence to keep people out, that’s just crazy!
That looks like fun! I can’t wait to tell my husband about this because he is obsessed with zombies. Actually, his entire family is. This would be a fun road trip if his family flew in to see us.
OMGosh! That is so so cool!! I would love to see all of those places, mostly the Walking Dead areas and the Sweet Home Alabama set.
Holy cow, now this is a tour for me! I love visiting sets and especially ones from my fave shows and movies. I would have died being on The Walking Dead set, and I love the sneak peek at the next 2 seasons – so excited!!
Ohhh…what fun!! I have never seen The Walking Dead, but I have seen Sweet Home Alabama and loved it. I would love to visit the set of a television show or movie, seeing and meeting the actors would be the icing on the cake. 🙂
I’ve always loved looking behind the scenes. I haven’t watched Walking Dead yet, but it’s on my bucket list for streaming.
I took a tour in Georgia for a couple of TV shows but it was in a different town. I love seeing things like this. It’s so fascinating how they can bring small stages and props to life on film and it looks like the town is double in size.
That’s amazing. I love the Walking Dead, so I really enjoyed reading about the locations they used and the location they’ll be using.
This sounds like a really fun tour!
what a fun tour that was! I’d love to see that set.
I absolutely love The Walking Dead! I am just a bit jealous that you got to see the set!!
That is really cool. I think it would be awesome to visit any movie or television set. I would be interesting to see how it is all put together.
I would love to see the fried green tomatoes house!! It’s a favorite show here in our home!
My family would go nuts over the Walking Dead set. Very cool!
That is so cool! Sweet Home Alabama is one of my favorite movies, and we are also huge fans of The Walking Dead!
My hubby is a huge walking dead fan! This would be a dream trip for him!
WOW, oh my goodness, how flippin’ awesome. I am a huge Walking Dead fan and am so jealous that you got to see all these fun show landmarks. Thanks for sharing them with us
What a fun trip! That is so neat to get a behind the scenes look into shows.
Oh wow what a fun tour, I love seeing things like this.
Would love to visit the Sweet Home Alabama set. I get to Atlanta every once in a while, will have to make it a stop!
Woah! This is so freaking cool! I never got into the Walking Dead (I know I know… I just didn’t have time) but this looks like an awesome tour for anyone!
This is such an awesome tour- What a great experience! Hubby and I love the Walking Dead- I think he would love to see the different sets so much!
Oh that place would be so much fun to tour! I remember seeing it in Walking dead! That is awesome!
This looks like such a fun trip. I didn’t realize that is where they filmed some of the walking dead.
I find that movies have such a REAL feel when they are filmed on the actual location or area like those you have shown here. Sure sometimes sets need to be constructed but the real deal is still the real deal.
I didn’t even realize that existed! It’s amazing where entertainment is produced these days – not in Hollywood where you typically expect!
You are killing me! I love Walking Dead, and Drop Dead Diva. I can;t wait for WD to come back on and I will miss my Brooke Elliot and her show!
thanks for sharing,
Mitch
I’m no into the zombie movies, too scary. So cool that you get to see all these cool filming spots
I haven’t watched this show, but I keep hearing wonderful things! I might put it on my “binge watching” Netflix list.
Jessica is cute.
My husband is a casting director, and he has been to many of these places and some you don’t even know about yet! It’s so cool.
Can’t wait to hear about them!
OMG, you got to see where TWD is being filmed. I am soooo jealous.
What a neat trip. It is so interesting to see how movies and shows are actually made!
I love behind the scenes stuff like this, too! Very cool!
What fun! I would love to see in person where they film the Walking Dead.