I really liked the original movie, I'm not interested at all in the live action, but there seem to be so many anime tv shows and movies that I'm at a loss where to start except hopping through chronologically by production.

I'd like to avoid repeats, so I don't really care about ovas.

I watched the original, I want to continue that story, but I have no idea if that's how the story goes in all the subsequent productions I'm seeing.

so please without spoiling anything, explain which path I should take.

The tv series from the early 2000s is a different timeline unconnected to the original movies, just sharing characters and setting. The more recent movies from a few years ago are prequels. Really you could watch in any order, but probably I'd recommend watching in order of release.

Most GitS installments are unconnected. The only actuel sequel to the original movie is the followup movie "Innocence" which is a very different beast.
You can find a complete relation graph on AniDB.

My recommendation would be to watch the "Standalone Complex" series (2 seasons + 1 special) from the early 2000's. It's top tier even though the CG does show its age. Then if you want more you could go ahead and watch the "Arise" tv show from 2015, not bad but not as good as SAC.

I would strongly advise against watching the recent Netflix SAC_2045 : it's painfully bad and ugly-looking.

I'd go with this, and look into each and read a little about them to see if the art styles and stories interest you and dig in from there, rather than approaching it as a wholly cohesive series.

Personally I liked the original movie and the Stand Alone Complex/2nd Gig series, but didn't care as much for Arise (the OVA cut). Can't speak to other parts as I haven't seen them.

thanks, i appreciate it. Good to know the different projects aren't too dependent on one another

okay, great to know. thanks.

Man that 2000s anime isssss weird. I overall think the mostly dry political angle they take fits with the gits universe

I second this and also advise diving into SAC head first. Easily has one of the best soundtracks out there to boot. Yoko Kanno did some incredible work in my opinion on that one. Stay away from SAC_2045 though. It really was pretty terrible.