| 1 | | - | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Horhn, Blackmon, Butler, Chassaniol, Frazier, Hopson, McLendon, Michel, Robinson, Simmons (13th) Senate Resolution 18 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE LEGACY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF NATCHEZ FILMMAKER TATE TAYLOR AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2025 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTION PICTURE. WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2025 recipients, which include renowned Mississippi filmmaker Tate Taylor from Natchez, Mississippi, as the 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Motion Picture Award; and WHEREAS, established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and WHEREAS, Tate Taylor is a Mississippi-born and bred filmmaker whose work demonstrates his genuine ability to bring stories to life. Taylor has used his Southern upbringing to inspire art for the big screen. He has worked in front of and behind the camera. His rise to fame began with the feature film The Help, which gained four Academy Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year and an Oscar win by Octavia Spencer for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; and WHEREAS, Taylor's impact is evident in his home state of Mississippi. By filming The Help in Greenwood and Jackson, Taylor brought significant attention and economic activity to the area. His commitment to filming in Mississippi has continued with other projects, fostering local talent and providing employment opportunities within the state. Taylor's work has sparked conversations on social issues, particularly through The Help, which addressed race and civil rights themes, resonating deeply across the nation and contributing to a broader cultural discourse; and WHEREAS, Taylor's adept storytelling, nuanced direction, and ability to elicit powerful performances from his actors are hallmarks of his films. His works, such as Palm Royale (2023), Get On Up (2014), and The Girl on the Train (2016), exhibit versatility and a deep understanding of character-driven narratives that resonate with a broad audience; and WHEREAS, Taylor has played a pivotal role in enhancing Mississippi's image through his dedication to using the state as a backdrop for his films. His projects highlight Mississippi's natural beauty and historical significance, attracting national and international attention. By consistently choosing Mississippi for his productions, as seen in Get on Up and Breaking News in Yuba County, Taylor has helped establish the state as a viable and attractive location for the film industry; and WHEREAS, Taylor's company, Crooked Letter Pictures, recently purchased over 100,000 square feet of empty warehouse space and founded Sandbox Stages and Production. This facility will allow movie producers to film an entire movie in one location and provide opportunities for the film industry in Mississippi; and WHEREAS, in addition, Taylor is an entrepreneur who invests in businesses that provide opportunities for music and culinary arts, including Smoot's and The Little Easy in Natchez, as well as Church Hill Variety in Church Hill, Mississippi. He is a historic preservationist who understands the importance of preserving our rich Mississippi history and architecture. Taylor and his partner John Norris recently began the process of restoring Mississippi's oldest Episcopal congregationChrist Episcopal Church of Church Hill; and WHEREAS, his work has boosted the local economy and promoted Mississippi as a place of artistic and cultural importance. He loves nowhere more than his home in Church Hill and has poured himself into economic development and the arts in nearby Natchez, where his film studio, Wyolah Entertainment, is based; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the energy of Mississippi filmmaker whose work and support of the arts have made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the charitable and artistic traditions of our great state: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to the legacy and community service of Natchez filmmaker Tate Taylor as the recipient of the 2025 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Motion Picture and extend our congratulations to this outstanding storyteller and arts support leader on this auspicious occasion. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Tate Taylor and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. |
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| 1 | + | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Horhn Senate Resolution 18 A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE LEGACY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF NATCHEZ FILMMAKER TATE TAYLOR AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2025 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTION PICTURE. WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2025 recipients, which include renowned Mississippi filmmaker Tate Taylor from Natchez, Mississippi, as the 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Motion Picture Award; and WHEREAS, established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and WHEREAS, Tate Taylor is a Mississippi-born and bred filmmaker whose work demonstrates his genuine ability to bring stories to life. Taylor has used his Southern upbringing to inspire art for the big screen. He has worked in front of and behind the camera. His rise to fame began with the feature film The Help, which gained four Academy Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year and an Oscar win by Octavia Spencer for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; and WHEREAS, Taylor's impact is evident in his home state of Mississippi. By filming The Help in Greenwood and Jackson, Taylor brought significant attention and economic activity to the area. His commitment to filming in Mississippi has continued with other projects, fostering local talent and providing employment opportunities within the state. Taylor's work has sparked conversations on social issues, particularly through The Help, which addressed race and civil rights themes, resonating deeply across the nation and contributing to a broader cultural discourse; and WHEREAS, Taylor's adept storytelling, nuanced direction, and ability to elicit powerful performances from his actors are hallmarks of his films. His works, such as Palm Royale (2023), Get On Up (2014), and The Girl on the Train (2016), exhibit versatility and a deep understanding of character-driven narratives that resonate with a broad audience; and WHEREAS, Taylor has played a pivotal role in enhancing Mississippi's image through his dedication to using the state as a backdrop for his films. His projects highlight Mississippi's natural beauty and historical significance, attracting national and international attention. By consistently choosing Mississippi for his productions, as seen in Get on Up and Breaking News in Yuba County, Taylor has helped establish the state as a viable and attractive location for the film industry; and WHEREAS, Taylor's company, Crooked Letter Pictures, recently purchased over 100,000 square feet of empty warehouse space and founded Sandbox Stages and Production. This facility will allow movie producers to film an entire movie in one location and provide opportunities for the film industry in Mississippi; and WHEREAS, in addition, Taylor is an entrepreneur who invests in businesses that provide opportunities for music and culinary arts, including Smoot's and The Little Easy in Natchez, as well as Church Hill Variety in Church Hill, Mississippi. He is a historic preservationist who understands the importance of preserving our rich Mississippi history and architecture. Taylor and his partner John Norris recently began the process of restoring Mississippi's oldest Episcopal congregationChrist Episcopal Church of Church Hill; and WHEREAS, his work has boosted the local economy and promoted Mississippi as a place of artistic and cultural importance. He loves nowhere more than his home in Church Hill and has poured himself into economic development and the arts in nearby Natchez, where his film studio, Wyolah Entertainment, is based; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the energy of Mississippi filmmaker whose work and support of the arts have made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the charitable and artistic traditions of our great state: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to the legacy and community service of Natchez filmmaker Tate Taylor as the recipient of the 2025 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Motion Picture and extend our congratulations to this outstanding storyteller and arts support leader on this auspicious occasion. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Tate Taylor and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. |
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