Kent Roland has seemingly done it all, but finding work in Georgia’s film industry sparked a new energy in this 57-year-old Navy veteran.
Stumbling across VGIFT (Veterans of Georgia in Film and TV) while searching for film classes on the internet was certainly a blessing. One quick, three-month internship with Eagle Rock Studios and Kent found himself diving head first into the tidal wave of filming in Georgia.
“The film industry always had my interest, I thought it was time to give it a shot.”
After graduating from Northside High School, Kent went on to play a couple seasons of college baseball at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi before joining the Navy. Once stationed in Charleston, SC, his time in the Navy included work as an Illustrator/Draftsman on one of the U.S. Navy’s newest ships, sailing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and a trip through the Panama Canal.
Once he found his land legs again, he was back to learning. Studying at The Southeastern School of Photography Arts set Kent up for one of his favorite jobs as a school photographer. After 18 years of photography he began driving limousines. Over the next 10 years, Kent made a few connections with all the people who were coming to Atlanta for the production of movies. Watching the film industry come to life in Georgia led Kent to search for film classes in the area, and eventually to VGIFT.
With the help of Terrell Sandefur and VGIFT, Kent was able to get an internship with Eagle Rock Studios.
Now working full-time with the TV show Dynasty, a reboot of a classic, prime-time soap opera that has recently been renewed for a second season, Kent does whatever is needed to take care of the studio.
From picking up things that have been delivered to helping solve problems, and even assembling equipment, “I basically do it all,” he says.
Today, Kent and his wife Sandra live a comfortable life in Snellville, just outside of Atlanta. Kent says he’s grateful for a supportive wife because sometimes the hours can be long.
“But me? I don’t even care about how long I have to be at the studio,” Kent says. “I love what I do.”
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