Lexington Film Office Launches Workforce Development Initiative With Location Managers Guild

The city of Lexington, Kentucky, is looking to expand its local well of production experts. FilmLEX, the city’s official film and entertainment office, has partnered with the Location Mangers Guild International for a workforce development initiative, “From Page to Place: The Art of Location Management.” The two-day workshop is aimed at a wide range of skill levels, including college and high school students, emerging talent and local crew members. The event will take place November 6 and 7, and attendees will have access to LMGI professionals including Andrea Keener (Killers of the Flower Moon, Captain America: Brave New World), Todd Christensen (The Hunger Games, Sicario), Mike Fantasia (Top Gun: Maverick, Killers of the Flower Moon), and Dennis Muscari (Oppenheimer, Breaking Bad). Over the course of the two days, participants will engage in industry discussions, hands-on training, mentorship and networking. “It’s a tremendous privilege to partner with the Location Managers Guild International and have some of the industry’s most respected professionals helping us cultivate the next generation of talent right here in Central Kentucky,” Lisa Brin, Head of FilmLEX, said in a statement. “This is an exciting first step in strengthening the dynamic local production workforce and laying the foundation for long-term industry growth in Central Kentucky – one that we are deeply invested in.” Watch on Deadline Per FilmLEX, students from eight regional colleges and universities will participate, including University of Kentucky, Asbury University, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Midway University, Transylvania University, as well as area high schools.Adds Danny Finn, President of the Locations Manager Guild International: “The future of our industry depends on investing in the next generation. Location professionals connect storytelling with the communities that make it possible and partnerships like this one with FilmLEX help introduce new talent to our craft while building the local workforce needed to sustain production for years to come.” The latest workshop is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the area’s local production workforce and build the necessary infrastructure to support a robust film and television industry in Central Kentucky. A major part of that effort is to build a deeper pool of skilled production professionals across a range of disciplines, including location management, producing, assistant directing, production design, editorial and on-camera talent. Lexington’s convention and visitor’s bureau launched FilmLEX two years ago to promote Kentucky’s incentive program, which launched in 2022, and help producers on the ground. The official announcement of FilmLEX called Lexington “a modern, mid-size city rich in history and resources for the filmmaking community. The area boasts abundantly diverse landscapes and real-life backdrops that serve as a façade for any genre — from bustling, urban cityscapes to quaint small towns frozen in time; and from rolling bluegrass hills and lush forests to castles, battlefields and abandoned rickhouses [used to store bourbon]. Lexington’s four seasons create mood and personality all year round with best-in-class hospitality and a warm and welcoming spirit.” Local celebrities Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez, who founded Macaroni Art Productions in Midway just outside of Lexington, have long been supporters of bolstering the state’s filming infrastructure and have thrown support behind FilmLEX in the past. These efforts at the local level are in addition to the state’s own initiatives to encourage production to relocate to Kentucky. Via the Kentucky Entertainment Initiative Program, the state offers a fully refundable, non-transferable tax credit ranging from 30% to 35%. The program has an annual funding cap of $75 million and per project cap of $10 million.