Sitting comfortably on a barstool in the modern, sleek kitchenette of her newly opened LEX Studios, Misdee Wrigley Miller took a reflective moment to share her vision. This state-of-the-art facility, situated off Woodhill Drive in Lexington, Kentucky, is already generating buzz from Hollywood insiders, marking a significant milestone in the entertainment industry within the state.

“It’s more true now than ever that entertainment serves as a vital escape,” Wrigley Miller observed. “In a world filled with negativity, entertainment offers a sanctuary where people can be transported to a place devoid of worries. This escape is both healthy and necessary. If I can contribute to creating that escape, to giving people a few precious hours of relief, it brings me immense joy.”

Wrigley Miller is uniquely qualified to spearhead such an endeavor in Kentucky—a state not traditionally known as a hub for film and television. As an experienced media professional, acclaimed horsewoman, and owner of the Lexington-based Wrigley Media Group, she has a rich legacy of creation and innovation. Her great-grandfather, William Wrigley Jr., revolutionized the chewing gum industry with Juicy Fruit and Wrigley’s Spearmint in the late 19th century and became the majority owner of the Chicago Cubs in 1921. The Cubs’ ballpark was renamed Wrigley Field in his honor in 1927. Building on this legacy of innovation and risk-taking, Wrigley Miller brought her love of horses to Kentucky 20 years ago, eventually leading to the birth of LEX Studios.

Spanning an impressive 50,000 square feet, LEX Studios is equipped to spotlight the creative potential of Kentucky while boosting the local economy and creating jobs. Housed in the former Woodhill Cinemas building, it features three soundstages, well-equipped green rooms, numerous office spaces, dining areas for over 150 people, ample parking, and comprehensive production support. Its strategic location offers easy access to interstates, airports, and picturesque Kentucky landscapes, combined with a low cost of doing business and a ready workforce. The transformation of the previously abandoned building into LEX Studios took four years.

LEX Studios rivals professional studios in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. It offers multiple spaces that can serve as different sets and functions as a one-stop production shop. The studio also serves local companies for corporate videos, live streaming events, and corporate receptions.

For Wrigley Miller, LEX Studios is not just a business but a passion project that also significantly benefits Kentucky’s economy. In 2021, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development introduced the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive (KEI), designed to attract film and entertainment productions to the state. This initiative aims to provide more job opportunities for Kentuckians and develop a robust production infrastructure.

The support from local legislators has been substantial and bipartisan. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne have been major advocates for the incentive. “Seeing tangible results from our legislation is thrilling,” Stivers said. “Attracting this dynamic industry to Kentucky has far-reaching economic benefits in both urban and rural areas. It translates to more local job opportunities and increased revenue for hotels and restaurants.”

A significant case study demonstrating the incentive’s impact is Wrigley Miller’s hit show “Relative Justice,” which generated a $2.5 million economic impact for Kentucky in just one season.

Kentucky’s competitive 30-35% refundable tax credit for up to $10 million is drawing attention from creators and producers nationwide. “Thanks to this robust tax incentive, we are set to bring much more film and television production to Kentucky,” Wrigley Miller said, noting that former First Lady Jane Beshear championed the initiative during Governor Steve Beshear’s tenure. “Enhanced production activity means business for caterers, restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and new opportunities for local talent.”

As the films roll in, new jobs will necessitate specialized training. LEX Studios is partnering with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to create expedited credentialing programs. These programs will ensure a trained workforce ready to fill roles in set design, hair and makeup, logistics, and other production areas.

Wilmore’s Asbury University offers various bachelor’s and master’s degrees in media communication, screenwriting, and film. Earlier this year, Asbury became the nation’s only ARRI Certified Film School. Approximately 80% of top-grossing films use ARRI cameras, making this certification particularly significant.

Jim Owens, dean of Asbury’s School of Communication Arts, sees LEX Studios as a boon for his graduates. “We’re thrilled about the expanding media opportunities in Kentucky,” he said. “Historically, our film students had to leave the state for regular film jobs. Now, more projects landing in Kentucky mean job opportunities for current students and alumni. These professionals also mentor our students, helping them advance in the industry.”

Film is the largest program at Asbury’s School of Communication Arts. Owens is enthusiastic about contributing to building a solid workforce base in Kentucky. Asbury students frequently work on summer productions created either internally or by Hollywood producers.

To consolidate these efforts and projects by individuals like Soozie Eastman of Louisville’s 502 Films, Wrigley Miller emphasizes the need for a statewide film office.

“We excel in horses and bourbon; we can excel in film too,” she said, describing Kentucky as a “sleeping giant” of the film industry. “When credits roll at the end of a film, those names represent jobs that should be held by Kentuckians.”

Tim Sabo, LEX Studios manager and producer with 25 years of experience—including field production for “The Biggest Loser”—moved from California to oversee operations at LEX Studios. He envisions it becoming a renowned U.S. production facility.

Sabo and Wrigley Miller frequently brainstorm show ideas they’d like to see produced at LEX Studios—from cooking shows to horror movies that are “so bad they’re good,” historical documentaries on bourbon, and Civil War programs.

“My dream project is based on one of the great novels about the horse racing industry in Kentucky,” Wrigley Miller revealed. “I want to create an iconic Kentucky story.”

With three stages available, LEX Studios is ideal for game shows, talk shows, mid-size productions, and independent films. “Could I have built one giant stage? Probably,” Wrigley Miller said. “But my target audience includes smaller talk shows, game shows, and independent films rather than big blockbuster productions.”

The future lies in smaller productions designed for streaming platforms due to disruptions in the film industry and evolving technologies like artificial intelligence. “The big $150 million blockbusters will always exist,” Sabo pointed out. “But with so many streaming services needing content, there’s a growing demand for higher volume shows tailored for streaming.”

Wrigley Miller admitted that recent upheavals caused moments of doubt. “Just before COVID hit was when I decided to build out this theater,” she said. “With COVID, Hollywood strikes, AI advancements, massive consolidations, and budget cuts all happening simultaneously, I wondered if I’d made a huge mistake. But thanks to my team—Tim Sabo and Joe Livecchi—we turned those challenges into opportunities.”

“The advantage of being a small, privately-owned company is our ability to pivot quickly,” she added. “This agility will be Kentucky’s strength as budget-conscious productions flock here due to lower costs.”

As productions increase, Sabo noted a trend: people who moved to the West Coast for Hollywood dreams are now eager to return home. “There’s a mass exodus from LA back to hometowns,” he said. “Every day I receive emails from solid LA professionals excited about returning to Kentucky because of spaces like LEX Studios.”

Once people experience LEX Studios’ facilities, they’re hooked. The growing production business includes events like field trips, table reads, and pitch sessions for local creators.

“My goal next year is to have 14 people around this table planning our next steps,” Sabo said.

For Wrigley Miller, LEX Studios represents her vision for the future.

“My legacy will be laying the foundation for a new industry in Kentucky that helps Kentuckians thrive,” she said.

Though originally from Chicago via Arizona—a tough place for horse farming—she concluded: “I was destined to be here in Kentucky.”