<P> Greg Nicotero is an executive producer and the key special effects makeup artist on the series . Each walker is put through "zombie school" and is taught how to move like zombies . There are three levels of zombie makeup: Hero, Midground, and Deep Background . Hero zombies are featured walkers and are completely made over from head to toe . Midground zombies get highlights and shadows on the face, but do not get close enough to the camera to require full makeup . Deep background zombies often wear masks and are only meant to be used as a backdrop . </P> <P> The Walking Dead is mostly filmed in Georgia . Since 2002, the state has offered a tax incentive for large film productions to drive producers to the state and bolster its economy . </P> <P> The first season was filmed primary in Atlanta, though required a great deal of coordination with the city to shut down streets and parks for film . Production for subsequent seasons moved mainly to Riverwood Studios (doing business as Raleigh Studios Atlanta), a plot of land approximately 120 acres (0.49 km) outside of Senoia, Georgia . Some existing buildings were used here, such as a subdivision that is used by several families that serves as the Alexandria Safe - Zone, while other buildings are constructed as sets, such as the exterior shots of the main Hilltop mansion, the trash heaps used by the Scavengers, or Father Gabriel's church . Sets are torn down when no longer needed; the church, after its use in the fifth season, was removed and its spot used for the iconic setting for the first meeting between Rick's group and Negan in the seventh season . The property includes sound stages constructed for interior shots, which then may be reused; the interior sets for the prison during the third season were reused to serve as the buildings and sets for the Savior's Sanctuary in the seventh season . In July 2017, AMC purchased the studio lot from Riverwood for $8.25 million . </P> <P> Some scenes are shot outside of the studio . Woodbury, during the third season, was filmed in downtown Senoia . Other exceptions include the Kingdom, which is filmed at the former military base Fort McPherson, now converted to studios for Tyler Perry . </P>

Where was the season finale of walking dead filmed