Current:Home > MarketsFrancis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ wrapped at this Georgia hotel. Soon, it’ll be open for business-LoTradeCoin
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ wrapped at this Georgia hotel. Soon, it’ll be open for business
View Date:2025-01-18 20:32:34
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (AP) — Two years ago, Francis Ford Coppola stopped at Georgia Film Academy on the hunt for apprentices for his upcoming film, " Megalopolis.”
Jordan Holifield, then a 23-year-old student, did a double-take when he saw one of the application questions — did he know how to disassemble IKEA furniture?
Months later, Holifield, one of four selected apprentices, pulled up to Coppola’s hotel — which was originally a Days Inn motel. But gone was the IKEA furniture from the old motel.
Now the All-Movie Hotel is outfitted with post-production facilities, editing suites, recording rooms and screening spaces. The hybrid property will soon host film nerds and production companies alike.
The “Godfather” director originally bought the hotel in 2022 for $4.35 million to host the production of “Megalopolis” — a self-funded, $120 million film starring Adam Driver as an architect in a futuristic New York City. Amid rumors of production drama, the movie garnered harsh reviews after its debut in Cannes, and The Associated Press reported some critics called it a “disaster.”
Coppola’s hotel collection, The Family Coppola Hideaways, has properties in Belize, Guatemala, Argentina, and Italy. The All-Movie Hotel is Coppola’s first property in the United States, opening July 25, in Peachtree City, just under an hour south of Atlanta’s downtown.
There are 27 rooms with prices ranging from $170 to $470 per night.
From the outside, the hotel’s architecture mirrors its former days as a motel. But props from Coppola’s movies scattered throughout the property add flair, such as old school “Godfather” pinball machines in the lobby. An imposing golden hawk figurine, which can be seen in the “Megalopolis” trailer, is perched outside the pool-area fence.
Coppola himself, along with Driver, stayed in rooms that will soon be available to book. In Coppola’s room, a round gray couch with spheric pillows sits in front of a king sized bed and among leather director-style chairs The “his and hers” bathrooms are joined by a shower, inspired by a lodge Coppola stayed at in Guatemala.
“I envisioned The All-Movie Hotel to be a space where filmmakers could truly immerse themselves in the creative process, fostering a collaborative environment that inspires innovation,” Coppola said.
Potted succulents imported from Italy line the outdoor walkway and textured walls. Beyond the colorful doors, each room has its own quirks. One has bunk beds, designed for interns and children of production staff. Another is Japan-themed and decorated with photographs of notable Japanese filmmakers. Most of the rooms connect, which Driver appreciated, since he stayed in a room adjacent to his assistant.
Georgia has emerged as a top production hub since 2005, when the state enacted tax breaks for the industry. Tax credits for filmmakers increased dramatically in 2008 and are expected to reach $1.35 billion this year. The tax incentive supported $5.54 billion in economic activity in 2022, according to the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition.
Filmmakers work closely with an already well-developed network of rental properties, hotels and house crews, said Kelly Moore, executive director of Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition. But she said the All-Movie Hotel is “a really interesting addition that meets a niche filmmaker need” for an all-in-one communal facility for post-production.
The industry’s growth in the state has slowed, with an estimated 40% fewer productions this year compared to last year, according to WSB-TV. But Moore is confident that Coppola’s choice to use Georgia’s infrastructure shows that its location is still a creative hub.
The hotel “really indicates there’s a desire to do a full ecosystem of production in Georgia,” Moore said.
On the final day of filming “Megalopolis,” the crew gathered for their last meal in the farmhouse-style kitchen. Coppola had the placement of a series of book shelves altered to fit a horizontal poster from “ Apocalypse Now,” one of his signature films.
The crew, actors, interns and Coppola himself dined on a spread of shrimp, pasta, pizza, sausage, steak, sandwiches, and whatever else was left in the refrigerator, Holifield said.
Now, when production companies haven’t rented out the entire space, tourists can venture to suburban Atlanta and cook from Coppola’s own stove.
—-
Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on uncovered issues.
veryGood! (74)
Related
- Jimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos'
- Climate Science Has a Blind Spot When it Comes to Heat Waves in Southern Africa
- How a DIY enthusiast created a replica of a $126,000 Birkin handbag for his girlfriend
- American Climate Video: The Driftwood Inn Had an ‘Old Florida’ Feel, Until it Was Gone
- Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
- Conservative businessman Tim Sheehy launches U.S. Senate bid for Jon Tester's seat
- Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Break Silence on Duggar Family Secrets Docuseries
- The Worst-Case Scenario for Global Warming Tracks Closely With Actual Emissions
- 2 credit unions in Mississippi and Louisiana are planning to merge
- Newsom’s Top Five Candidates for Kamala Harris’s Senate Seat All Have Climate in Their Bios
Ranking
- Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
- Trump Aims to Speed Pipeline Projects by Limiting State Environmental Reviews
- The Fires May be in California, but the Smoke, and its Health Effects, Travel Across the Country
- The 26 Best Deals From the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale: 60% Off Coach, Good American, SKIMS, and More
- Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
- Utah mom accused of poisoning husband and writing book about grief made moves to profit from his passing, lawsuit claims
- Penelope Disick Recalls Cleaning Blood Off Dad Scott Disick’s Face After Scary Car Accident
- Turning Food Into Fuel While Families Go Hungry
Recommendation
-
Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
-
How Al Pacino’s Pregnant Girlfriend Noor Alfallah Is Relaxing During 3rd Trimester
-
13-year-old becomes first girl to complete a 720 in skateboarding – a trick Tony Hawk invented
-
The Challenge's Amber Borzotra Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby With Chauncey Palmer
-
Arbitrator upholds 5-year bans of Bad Bunny baseball agency leaders, cuts agent penalty to 3 years
-
Feeding 9 Billion People
-
Cancer drug shortages could put chemo patient treatment at risk
-
As low-nicotine cigarettes hit the market, anti-smoking groups press for wider standard