Gov. Deal Reveals Reason For Absence
Speculation over Gov. Nathan Deal’s whereabouts was laid to rest Thursday. Deal, who was last seen Saturday, addressed the mystery after a budget meeting at the state Capitol.
Local and national news outlets, along with those on social media, were wondering where he was. His office wouldn’t offer details. At one point, his spokesman assured the press that no Argentinean lovers were involved ─ a reference to Congressman Mark Sanford, who as governor of South Carolina disappeared for days to rendezvous abroad with a mistress.
Deal’s explanation involved foreign travel but far less intrigue.
“We visited Pinewood Studios which have made a substantial investment here in our state down in Fayette County,” said Deal.
Pinewood is based near London and is known for making James Bond movies. The studio is building out a 288-acre complex just south of Atlanta. Deal toured Pinewood’s UK headquarters and discussed his plan to launch a film training academy.
“They were very excited about the proposal of a film academy and certainly made a pitch that the school adjacent to their facilities would be a great location for a film academy so we had a good discussion about that,” said Deal.
As to whether he made any other visits on the trip, Deal wouldn’t say.
Due in part to generous state tax credits, hundreds of film and television productions have been shot in Georgia in recent years. According to The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a union representing more than 100,000 entertainment workers, Georgia’s film industry is projected to double in size in the next two years.
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