Kentucky Film Office News
Kentucky-Made Movie Set to Debut in Lexington
Movie Shot Entirely in the Bluegrass; Director, Producers and Screenwriters all Kentuckians
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 26, 2010)-- UNREQUITED, a psychological thriller filmed entirely in Kentucky, is scheduled to make its Kentucky debut on Tuesday, July 27 at Amstar Theatres at Brannon Crossing in Lexington.
UNREQUITED was directed by Jason Epperson who gained national attention as the first runner up of the nationally televised “On The Lot” film-making contest to discover the most talented new director in the world. Gill Holland served as executive producer and Jeff Day and Tom Lockridge were producers and screenwriters, all of whom are Kentuckians. The movie was filmed in the Lexington area. The Kentucky Film Office, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, assisted in providing locations for the film.
“Kentucky was the perfect place to film this movie,” said Day. “Our local connections and talent made it worthwhile to shoot and produce this movie in our home state. “
UNREQUITED tells the story of Ben Jacobs, played by Michael Welch, a troubled young man who, on his 18th birthday, must leave the group home for “troubled teens” where he has been living. After moving back in with his mother, Ben discovers that his girlfriend, Jessica Morgan, played by Sarah Habel, has moved on with her life and is now dating an older college guy. Desperate for love and unable to cope with losing Jessica, Ben’s troubled past catches up with him as he kidnaps her in an attempt to regain her affection. Spiraling out of control and on a very dangerous path, Ben must ultimately decide whether to let her go or hold on to the one person he loves, even if it means destroying them both in the process.
“UNREQUITED is proof that quality films can be shot and produced in Kentucky,” added M. Todd Cassidy, executive director of the Kentucky Film Office. “We are creating an atmosphere in Kentucky that will be conducive to many more motion pictures being filmed here in the Commonwealth in the years to come.”
While UNREQUITED is the latest film to have Kentucky roots, another is soon to follow. Secretariat, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and partially filmed in Kentucky, will debut October 8th.
The July 27th 9:15 p.m. screening of UNREQUITED is open to the public. Tickets are free and are available first come, first serve. To RSVP for the 9:15 p.m. showing, guests should e-mail: premiere@luckydaystudios.com. A movie trailer is available for viewing at www.UnrequitedMovie.com
First Film Incentive Application Under New Legislation Approved
Press Release Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Contact Information:
Gil Lawson
502-564-4270 ext 168
gil.lawson@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Incentives for a major film production to be shot in Kentucky were approved today, the first under legislation approved during this year’s special legislative session.
The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority approved an application for the film “Secretariat,” from Fast Track Productions, Inc., a subsidiary of Disney Studios, about the 1973 Triple Crown winner.
“This is a great way to kick off Kentucky’s new film incentive package,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “I think it’s appropriate that a state known for thoroughbred racing be a part of a film about one of the most well-known horses in racing history.”
The film incentives were included in House Bill 3, which was proposed by Gov. Beshear during the special session in June.
“Films like ‘Secretariat’ will offer Kentucky communities and small businesses a great opportunity when it comes to film production,” said First Lady Jane Beshear, who testified in support of the film incentives. “I’m hopeful that the incentives we offer will prompt more filmmakers to follow and help us promote Kentucky’s beauty and economic development opportunities.”
Fast Track Productions’ application projected $4 million in expenditures, meaning the production is eligible for $800,000 in tax credits.
The bill makes the incentive available to companies that spend at least $500,000 to produce feature films or television shows in Kentucky and makes commercials and documentaries eligible with required spending levels reduced to $200,000 and $50,000, respectively. Broadway Shows produced in Kentucky for national tour are eligible for incentives with at least $50,000 in qualified expenditures. The incentive is a refundable income tax credit of 20 percent of approved expenditures.
Governor Beshear Publicly Signs Film Industry Incentives Bill
Press Release Date: Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Contact Information:
Jay Blanton
Jill Midkiff
502-564-2611
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Surrounded by the unique beauty of Kentucky’s scenic Keeneland Race Course, Gov. Steve Beshear today ceremoniously signed House Bill 3, which includes incentives designed to attract movie productions and other film industry opportunities to the Commonwealth.
“We think there’s a lot of opportunity here to take advantage of our state’s strongest features – its stunning natural beauty, its signature industries, its vibrant urban areas and rural back roads, its unique culture and its musical and sports heritage,” said Gov. Beshear.
Kentucky has hosted three major motion pictures in last decade—“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story,” “Elizabethtown” and “Seabiscuit.” Keeneland hosted two of these productions and has been a vocal supporter of the film industry incentives and the benefits the industry offers to Kentucky communities and small businesses.
“Keeneland has been privileged to be the location for films such as Seabiscuit, Dreamer, A Horse for Danny and Bluegrass,” said Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland Association, Inc. “We know what a wonderful setting Kentucky is for the film industry and are thrilled that this piece of legislation will allow more economic development in this arena. We thank the Governor for his leadership in this issue.”
HB 3 was passed during the recent special legislative session. The law became effective on June 26, 2009.
“This legislation will offer Kentucky communities and small businesses a great opportunity when it comes to film production,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “These incentives should help bring more film production companies to Kentucky and will help promote tourism and economic development.”
Since the passage of this legislation, Kentucky has been in communication with production companies that have expressed interest in filming in Kentucky due to these enhanced incentives.
“Kentuckians are very interested in letting people outside the state know what a beautiful place we have here,” Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow said. “With the legislation that is being signed today, Kentucky’s opportunities for being selected for more films will greatly increase.”
The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet film office records indicate a total of 233 days of filming took place in Kentucky during 2007 with a direct economic impact of $3.1 million. This figure includes dollars spent in Kentucky directly tied to the production, including crew wages, location fees, set building materials, hotels, craft services, catering and set design materials.
The overall economic impact of hosting a major motion picture is much greater due to the ripple effect of that investment. Film production companies typically hire local businesses to help with needs such as set construction, food services and transportation, which are also not reflected in these numbers.
“These incentives for the film industry will allow Kentucky to compete for these attractive jobs,” said Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Owensboro. “This will also expand our state’s revenue base while serving to enhance Kentucky’s image in this growing industry.”
The bill creates a 15-member Kentucky Film Commission that will serve in an advisory role to the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The commission will promote Kentucky as a location for film production to help with economic development. Members will be appointed by the Governor and will not receive a salary. The bill also makes the incentive available to companies that spend at least $500,000 to produce feature films or television shows in Kentucky and makes commercials and documentaries eligible with required spending levels reduced to $200,000 and $50,000, respectively. Broadway Shows produced in Kentucky for national tour are eligible for incentives with at least $50,000 in qualified expenditures.
Since “The Kentuckian” with Burt Lancaster in 1955, a total of 93 films have been shot entirely or in part in the Commonwealth, including “The Flim-Flam Man” with George C. Scott and “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” the autobiography of Kentucky-native Loretta Lynn, a role for which Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award.