Lexington, KY - Efforts are underway to persuade a Hollywood production company to film the story of a Kentucky Legend - on location in Kentucky. But highly competitive tax incentives offered by other states could mean that this Kentucky story winds up being portrayed from locations outside the Commonwealth's borders.
Were he alive today, Bill Monroe, the acclaimed "Father of Bluegrass Music," would be celebrating his 100th year. Monroe was born in Rosine, Kentucky on September 13 in 1911. The colorful story of Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys is to be told in a film that would bear the same title as Monroe's best known hit, "Blue Moon of Kentucky."
Plans call for shooting to begin in March, but location remains up in the air. "Bill monroe was born in Kentucky, Kentucky is the blue grass state, the name of the movie is Blue Moon of Kentucky - Kentucky's song - I'm trying to convince them that they have to shoot most of the movie in Ohio county and some of it in Owensboro," Terry Woodward, Vice Chair Blue Grass Music Museum, told NBC News.
Woodward said the film's producers have visited Owensboro several times and seemed to have been impressed with the possibilities, but in the end it all comes down to dollars.
"Tennessee has a little more tax breaks and rebates that are a little bit more favorable than Kentucky."
But evidently there is some misunderstanding about Kentucky's incentive package.
Under legislation passed by the General Assembly during a special session in the summer of 2009 and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear, feature filmmakers who spend at least $500,000 in Kentucky are eligible to receive a 20 percent refundable tax credit for production and post-production expenses, while Tennessee offers a 13-17 percent tax rebate, depending on the production budget and percentage of in-state production.
Todd Cassidy, executive director of the Kentucky Film Office, could not go into detail due to "confidentiality issues," but indicated in an email conversation that "we have been in touch with the production company and had the opportunity to clarify misunderstandings about our program. That conversation went very well."
So, stay tuned.
In the meantime
, Kentuckians interested in film production may want to circle Oct. 2nd on their calendars.
Avatar and Titanic producer Jon Landau will be the featured presenter as the Kentucky Film Lab (KFL) presents its 7th Workshop in conjunction with the annual IdeaFestival at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville. Landau will be joined by Michael Dougan (screenwriting workshop) and Steve Staley of Kentucky Grip and Lighting (camera and lighting workshop). The KFL Fall Workshop offers a full day of hands-on activities and networking opportunities to build and support the cinematic arts community in Kentucky.
"We're pleased to have Jon Landau join our list of workshop presenters that have included Jack Epps, Jr. (Top Gun), Aaron Thomas (Friday Night Lights, CSI:NY), Andrew Marlowe (Air Force One, Castle), actor/director Domenica Scorcese, and legendary cinematographer Victor Kemper," said KFL Managing Director Arthur Rouse. "These sessions in producing, screenwriting, camera and lighting are hands-on and designed to advance the cinematic arts in Kentucky."
Landau, an Academy Award and two-time Golden Globe-winning producer, has repeatedly demonstrated a unique ability to oversee and deliver major motion pictures. With Avatar and Titanic Landau currently holds the distinction of having produced the two highest grossing movies of all-time. The KFL Fall Studio is presented by Bluegrass Community and Technical College that offers a Filmmaking Certificate Program and Spalding University that offers a Brief-Residency MFA in Creative Writing. The program also has received consecutive grants from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With the support of partners, the full-day program is available at $50. To register, visit the Kentucky Film Lab site http://www.kyfilmlab.com.