Atlanta Tribune article

The Atlanta Tribune ~ by Tomika DePriest

Entrepreneurs Extract From Atlanta’s Music Mecca [excerpt]

Atlanta’s music Mecca isn’t just a haven for artists and musicians. Today, more and more behind-the-scenes professionals are flocking to the “chocolate city” to set up shop. From talent brokers to film directors, casting agents and demo packagers, new companies are cropping up to get their fair share of Atlanta’s bustling entertainment market.

April Lundy and T.H. Davis are one example. They are the forces behind Film Noire, a video production firm specializing in videos, commercials and short film. Formed January 1995, the company is only 6 months old, but already its clientele includes Atlanta-based R.O.A.R. Records, IBM, Revlon, Warner Brothers and LaFace Records. “We hadn’t planned on starting a company. We previously worked together at [Westside Stories], and we found a need to form our own venue, ” explains Atlanta native, Lundy. “We had a lot of people that would give us offer for projects. ” adds Davis, a New York transplant. “As opposed to giving away the projects to other people, we decided to do this on our own. “

Prior to Film Noire, Lundy first worked in the business as on-air talent at People TV, Channel 12. “I hosted a music video show, ’89 FM Video,’ I also worked with Turner Broadcasting,” recalls the Georgia State University alumna. “On occassion, I did on-air spots because I worked in on-air promotions. They would snatch me up from my desk and put me in front of the camera for those little TBS promotional spots they do.”

At Keith Ward’s Westside Stories, she received three-and-a half years of behind-the-scenes training. “I admired [Ward] who worked as a director with his own company, and I snuggled up under him and started learning everything about directing. He put me to work doing administrative duties [as well], which is how I got into the business aspect. I found that I was just as effective [in the business aspect],” reveals Lundy.

…Speaking of hard work and long hours that come with their jobs, Davis contends, “Nobody would believe a 30-second commercial can take 12 hours. You have to move around, get your lighting, scenery, talent and camera focus. People just don’t understand that a lot of things go into putting a project together, even a three minute video can take 18 hours [to shoot].”