Indie movie maven and sometime drag performer Tyler Perry has announced the opening of a 12-sound stage 330-acre movie studio complex in Atlanta. In addition to the usual studio facilities, the complex will also feature a shelter for victims of sex trafficking and displaced LGBTQ youth.
Perry, known for films like the Madea series, spoke with Gayle King of CBS news to discuss the project. The studio complex itself will surpass the usual studio brands–Disney, Warner Bros. Paramount, et al–in size, at least when compared with their Hollywood locations. Beginning in the 1960s and 70s, Hollywood studios began selling off their once-massive lots to developers to offset the rising cost of property in Los Angeles.
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“I’ll tell you what I’m most excited about next is pulling this next phase off, is building a compound for trafficked women, girls, homeless women, LGBTQ youth who are put out and displaced,” Perry told King. “Somewhere on these 330 acres, where they’re trained in the business and they become self-sufficient.”
Perry’s own sexuality has long been the subject of rumor and innuendo, though the filmmaker declines to discuss his romantic life in interviews.
Cam
Good for him. Also not a bad place to give some of the victims jobs to help them get back on their feet. Very nicely done.
Kangol2
A wonderful plan. Just please get legit people, who are going to put the interests of the LGBTQ kids, first, and who know how to run an organization. If it works out, it could be a gamechanger for young people down in ATL.
Gay Veteran
I didn’t think it was possible but this makes what Tyler Perry achieved even greater! Not only is he helping black artist but he’s helping the community around the studio. Amazing!
lord.krath
Beautiful and practical works.
jim marks
He really didn’t let people outside his vision, cloud his vision.