Columbus native to host premiere for new locally-filmed web dramedy series
Columbus-based creator GG Rodgers is hosting the premiere this weekend for her first dramedy web series about working in human resources.
Rodger, a Columbus native, has always loved to create — writing songs, poetry and developing a love for fantasy and sci-fi.
A graduate of Brookstone High School, Rodgers attended Spelman College and lived in Atlanta as she began a career in human resources.
In her heart, Rodgers said she still loved Columbus, so she returned to her hometown in 2020.
Growing up in the 90s, Rodgers was a fan of shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin and The Office.
“I like shows that have some depth, humor, a little bit of everything,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Rodgers said, in recent years, that there’s been something missing in television.
“I saw, in my opinion, a gap of thorough writing that pulls people in,” she said.
So, in 2020, Rodgers wrote a script based on her experiences working in human resources.
On Saturday, she will host a premiere party for her first television series, called HR Things, at The Gallery at Heritage.
“It’s a beautifully curated event,” Rodgers said.
Attendees will watch the 12-episode first season of the web series, she said, which will take a little more than an hour.
What’s HR Things about?
HR Things is a dramedy, Rodger’s said, and the full first season of the web series will be available on the production company Peachway Pictures’ YouTube channel soon after the premiere.
The series is meant to be entertaining and also educational, Rodgers said, showing what life is like for an HR department.
“It kind of shows behind-the-scenes as to why your HR manager may be prickly,” she said. “She has a long day, too. She doesn’t get invited to the happy hour, and maybe that’s why her feelings are hurt. I try to make it humorous and realistic and also give a nod to the HR professionals that work so hard, despite the interactions with the people.”
The episodes are short, in the style of a web series. Rodgers said she took inspiration from The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl, a 2011 web series by writer and producer Issa Rae.
“(The episodes) were about five minutes long,” Rodgers said. “It wasn’t polished at all, but she did it. I admired that, and that’s why I wanted to do that style of the shorter web series — to just show the talent.”
Some of the talent involved in the project included Jessica Davis, Brandon Dunn and EJ Thomas, she said. Terrence D. Flowers worked as the director of photography, Rodgers said.
The sold-out event will be formal with food, desserts, a DJ and specialty drinks themed after the show.
Making the show
Much of HR Things was filmed in Columbus at Cathedral of Prayer, she said, which is where Rodgers attends church.
“That was great because we could use offices and just kind of play with it,” she said.
It was important for her to film the show here in Columbus, she said.
“I love our city,” Rodgers said. “And we have so much talent here. I wanted to tap into that and collaborate with people who maybe haven’t had a voice, or maybe it’s their first time or they just want to work together and do good work.”
There were about 30 people in the cast and 20 people in the crew, Rodgers said.
Rodgers tried to make the series in 2020, she said, but it wasn’t able to come together at the time. She’s thankful for the team who helped during that year because they supported her when she was able to move forward with the production this year.
“It’s Columbus all day,” Rodgers said. “ Columbus crew, Columbus cast and Columbus location. We just need to support our own because the talent is here.”
