Kentucky:

New Ky. film incentives approved for Disney subsidiary to shoot SecretariatSoapbox, 8/25/2009 

• Kentucky Film Office
 Todd Cassidy
Director
Kentucky Film Office
P: (800) 345-6591
Todd.Cassidy@ky.gov
      

Incentives

Tax Rebate Program -
 This program entitles eligible motion picture and television production companies to a refund of Kentucky's 6% sales and use tax on expenditures made in connection with the production .
 Eligible productions include:
 •  Feature-length motion pictures intended for theatrical release or for exhibition on national television by a network or through national syndication
or
 •  Television programs that will serve as a pilot for or be a segment of an ongoing dramatic or situation comedy series televised on a network or through national syndication.
 

Todd Cassidy
Director
Kentucky Film Commission
500 Mero Street, 2200 Capitol Plaza Tower 
Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601  USA
todd.cassidy@ky.gov
Phone: 502.564.8067


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P3 Update article 5/08: Americas-east-south-central-region  - May 2008
The East South Central Region ─ comprised of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi ─ extends all the way from Cincinnati in the north to Biloxi on the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, these four diverse states encompass the iconic cities of Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Mobile and Tupelo, and a landscape that ranges from the ultra-urban high-rises of bustling city centers to the steamy flats of the sleepy, rural south.  While the region offers film, commercial, and TV producers and directors a host of reasons to shoot, it faces stiff competition from neighboring states ─ such as Louisiana, Indiana, and the Carolinas ─ that are pushing big tax breaks and fighting for production. This month, P3 spotlights these four states, their incentive programs, and the current and future state of production in the region................
KENTUCKY
According to Todd Cassidy, Director of the Kentucky Film Office, the state has a lot to offer filmmakers, from historic sites and homes to a wide range of dynamic locations. Kentucky is blessed with natural beauty as well. The Appalachian Mountains dominate the eastern part of the state and includes the Red River Gorge Geological Area and the Daniel Boone National Forest, just 50 miles southeast of Lexington. The Gorge, composed of 25,662 acres of lush vegetation, contains the highest number of natural arches in a concentrated area east of the Rocky Mountains. Nearby is “Natural Bridge,” the most magnificent of Kentucky's historic natural sites, which also boasts a variety of homes and public buildings. Hensley Settlement near Cumberland Gap features a rustic farmstead community in the Appalachian Mountains. The southern charm of Spindletop Hall welcomed the television mini-series Bluegrass. White Hall, a unique blend of Gothic, Georgian Revival and Italianate architectural styles, has been featured in the opening credits of the television series Sister Kate and in the mini-series Centennial.  Many of the government buildings in Frankfort, including the State Capitol and the Greek-Revival Old State Capitol, provide fine examples of period architecture for location filming.

Many of Kentucky's small towns are well-preserved, intact period towns. The Kentucky Main Street Program manages the revitalization of downtown areas statewide, providing towns with period looks ranging from 1880-1920. Part of 1992’s A League of Their Own was filmed in the Main Street community of Henderson, featuring the Soaper Hotel and a private home as a boarding house. Other Main Street communities are eager to accommodate film production.

Although Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state, except Alaska, its waterlands aren't all rivers. In western Kentucky, huge lakes surround the “Land Between the Lakes” National Recreation Area. Further west, swamplands were featured in Norman Jewison's In Country, doubling for Vietnam. Period neighborhoods in the Cincinnati area manifest the character and variety that have attracted such films as Little Man Tate, City of Hope and A Rage in Harlem. Rain Man was also filmed at locations in the area, even closing down a nearby interstate for one scene. Finally, river towns along the Ohio River have welcomed Lost in Yonkers, the PBS American Playhouse version of Huckleberry Finn and the television mini-series Centennial...............read more

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Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission, Greater
Cincinnati, Ohio  USA
 info@film-cincinnati.org

Kristen  Erwin
Executive Director

Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission, Greater
602 Main St., Ste 712 
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202  USA
 
Phone: 513-784-1744 | Fax: 513-768-8963 |
 Email: info@film-cincinnati.org
 
Staff: Jennifer Hurrell, resources Coordinator

Kentucky Travel Commission
Kentucky Film Office
Frankfort, Kentucky  USA
 dian.knight@mail.state.ky.us
 

Article in Production Update Magazine April 2004 -
TENNESSEE / WEST VIRGINIA / KENTUCKY

When you think of the Appalachian region, encompassing Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky, you probably visualize verdant rolling hills, the picturesque Appalachian and Smoky mountains, and the rich delta plain. But if the region's film commissioners have their way, these three states will be viewed as an affordable production mecca for indies, as well as commercials, music videos and feature films - and as a venue full of surprising locations.

 This region is making a concerted effort to make it as easy as possible to do business there. Across the board, state-owned properties are fee-free, and the permitting processes are simple and inexpensive. Over the years, vendors and businesses have developed a program of discounted production services, such as lodging, equipment and vehicle rentals. Each commission also provides production services directories on their web sites, listing hundreds of businesses that can provide rental vehicles, casting services, legal services and many other support services.........................READ MORE