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CORBIN — On Wednesday, film and entertainment professionals from the Kentucky Entertainment Industry Working Group gathered at the Wrigley Taproom and Eatery in downtown Corbin to discuss the future growth of the state’s film and entertainment industry.
The discussions focused on workforce education, the need for a dedicated film commission, and how to create an environment that would attract more film production projects to Kentucky and the southeast region.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the need for Kentucky to establish a more robust and dedicated film commission.
A commission could assist with funding not only film projects but initiatives across all the arts, helping to establish Kentucky as a destination for various creative endeavors. This, in turn, would attract more projects and talent to the state.
When it comes to careers, film experts stressed the vast job opportunities the film industry could bring to Kentucky.
Merry-Kay Poe of Unbridled Films pointed out that a successful film requires a variety of skilled workers, “such as carpenters and electricians. There’s professionals, accountants, and attorneys. There are service industries, catering, and obviously, then the creative and the technical.”
Misdee Wrigley, owner of LEX Wrigley Media Group, echoed Poe’s sentiment, emphasizing the potential for steady employment.
“We can have semi-permanent positions that these crew members can move from one production to the next production,” Wrigley noted, highlighting the broader economic impact such job creation could have on the state.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) also weighed in on the importance of both attracting and retaining creative talent in Kentucky.
He pointed out that many people want to create art in Kentucky, and the state needs to provide the infrastructure and support to make that possible.
“We need to figure out what to do to keep our people here, but we also need to figure out what to do to attract people here,” Stivers explained.
There were talks about how Kentucky can create a sustainable and thriving industry that supports local talent while drawing in outside production companies.
Wrigley remarked, “As the entertainment industry, as a whole, grows in Kentucky, it attracts other art forms.”
This cross-pollination of creative fields could lead to a thriving artistic community, further growing Kentucky as a hub for film and entertainment.
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