Lights, camera, action! Soozie Eastman has big dreams for Kentucky's growing film industry

Louisville native Soozie Eastman is more than just a passionate filmmaker.

She's a film industry pioneer who wants to make sure the Bluegrass State has a starring role in the next generation of movies.

According to her IMDb profile, Eastman is a producer and director and is known for "Overload: America's Toxic Love Story" (2018), "By the Wayside" (2006) and "Meant to Be" (2003). But in her home state, Eastman is also known as a relentless champion of Kentucky's film industry, the founder and president of 502 Film Collective, and the chair of the Louisville Film Commission.

"We have the top film incentive program in the country, incredibly talented crew and gorgeous and diverse locations," Eastman told the Courier Journal. "When you look at that combination, it is a trifecta to attract productions, and the money from the productions stays in our city and state."

This trifecta is the reason actor and director Ethan Hawke filmed "Wildcat" in the Louisville region during the winter of 2023 and why the independent film "Queen of the Ring," starring Walton Goggins, was filmed here over the summer, too.

Currently, Eastman is fielding calls from 25 films that are ready to begin production in Kentucky.

"When people have the money to produce their film, they need to find a place to shoot it and that's where I come in," Eastman told the Courier Journal. "I work to attract productions to come to our city and show filmmakers why Kentucky is the ultimate place to bring their production and dollars."

A passion for filmmaking ignited by an inexpensive camcorder

Eastman was 12 years old when her mom gave her a home video camera, a simple gift that set her future in motion.

"In middle school, I spent most of my days casting my neighbors in awful commercials and little short films," remembers Eastman. "I would also get my friends to do pranks and silly things and I would record them."

That clunky camcorder became the conduit connecting an adolescent Eastman's love of play with film and video. She would eventually gravitate to the business side of the film industry. But as a middle schooler, it was the gift of the camcorder that provided the springboard that has led this Louisville native to champion filmmaking in Kentucky with unparalleled zeal.

"I am a solo parent of a 5-year-old so I juggle my love of community with my love of the industry and with my love of family," Eastman said. "Now that the SAG strike has ended, I am getting calls, texts and emails all day and night from people who are ready to go. They are ready to bring their productions and build studios and post-production facilities. It is incredible to see the level of growth that we have in this industry right now."

Attracting film production work to Kentucky is a collective effort

Eastman works with a network of entertainment professionals who are focused on Kentucky's future as a premiere film production destination. The transformation of the Louisville Gardens into an entertainment production hub, which is expected to bring major productions to Louisville, is one example.

"There are many people working on this project," the filmmaker told the Courier Journal. "My involvement leading up to the announcement of the project was meeting with investors and explaining why Louisville is worthy of this type of investment."

Environmental remediation began on the historic venue in June. Plans call for the conversion of the arena, at Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Fifth Street, into a hub with sound stages for film, music and digital production totaling 40,000 square feet of production space.

When complete, the re-imagined Louisville Gardens will become an additional incentive to attract more film and television industry to Louisville.

How Soozie Eastman and 502 Film Collective plan to grow local talent

As film production increases across the state, the employment opportunities for those who work in the entertainment industry have also grown. Like Eastman, who spent 16 years living in California, many people are now able to return to Ketnucky as the film industry here grows.

"This is not a hobbyist industry, these are real jobs that pay living wages which allows us to stay here in Louisville," she said. "Today we have hundreds of people working in the Kentucky film industry, those who have moved away are now able to come back and others are moving here for the first time from places like New York City and Los Angeles."

Two years ago, Eastman founded the nonprofit 502 Film Collective to not only attract film production to Kentucky but also offer a leg up to people who want to work in the industry. Besides connecting local crews, equipment, and vendors with film productions, the members of the 502 Film Collective offer educational and networking opportunities throughout the year.

Eastman says the inclusive 502 Film Collective and its members are like a concierge service "that serves to smooth the road for visiting film productions and might even be a foot in the door for people who may not realize they have something to offer the film and television industry."

Bringing a film like "Wildcat" to Louisville, with its $10 million budget and a world-renowned director like Hawke at the helm is an example of how attractive Kentucky has become to the film industry.

"The way (Hawke) ran the set showed our Kentucky-based production crew that they are absolutely capable of working with world-renowned filmmakers and that we are absolutely ready to continue rising to the occasion to accommodate more films like this," the filmmaker said. "Without a doubt, this city is on the precipice of something incredible."

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

502 Film Collective end-of-the-year wrap party

On Sunday, Dec. 10, the collective will host an end-of-the-year wrap party starting at 6 p.m. at 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St., with an after-party at the High Horse, 1032 Story Ave. starting at 9 p.m. The 502 Film Collective Facebook page says there's no need to RSVP for the free event. "Just share and be there."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Soozie Eastman has big dreams for Kentucky's growing film industry