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Lexington Film Office Launches Workforce Development Initiative With Location Managers Guild
FilmLEX, Lexington’s film and entertainment office, has partnered with the Location Managers Guild International to train local people for film and television production work. The two-day initiative aims to help build the skilled workforce needed to attract and sustain more production in Central Kentucky.
The “From Page to Place” workshop runs on 6 and 7 November, with industry discussions, practical training, mentoring and networking led by experienced location professionals. Participants include students from eight regional colleges and universities, local high-school students, emerging talent and crew members. The programme forms part of wider efforts to develop production skills across several disciplines, alongside Kentucky’s refundable tax credit of 30% to 35%, subject to a $75 million annual funding cap and a $10 million per-project cap.
In short
- FilmLEX and the Location Managers Guild are training local production talent.
- The two-day workshop takes place on 6 and 7 November.
- Kentucky offers film productions tax credits of 30% to 35%.
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The case for
The initiative could give local students and emerging workers practical skills, mentoring and industry contacts, making film and television jobs more accessible. A stronger local workforce may also help attract productions, supporting related businesses and building a more durable creative sector in Central Kentucky.
The case against
Public support for developing the film workforce should be judged by whether it creates lasting local jobs and benefits that justify the time and resources invested. Training tied to attracting productions may have limited value if projects remain scarce or temporary, and incentives and workforce programmes could draw resources from other local priorities.
Explained simply
FilmLEX is Lexington’s film and entertainment office, which works to support film and television production in the area. Location managers help productions find and arrange places to film, while also coordinating practical needs with property owners and local authorities.
The Location Managers Guild International is a professional organisation for people who work in that field. Training local students and emerging crew could help build skills and industry connections in Central Kentucky, where officials are seeking to attract more productions.
Kentucky also offers a refundable tax credit for qualifying productions, within annual and per-project limits. The workshop is one part of broader efforts to develop the workforce that productions may need.
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