Kentucky Sound Stage is already reshaping expectations for film production in western Kentucky, and according to the technology’s creator, the innovation inside Owensboro’s new facility rivals what’s being used on major Hollywood sets.
Rene Amador, co-founder and CEO of ARwall, visited the former Malco theater this week to help launch the state’s first commercial virtual production stage. The 30-foot LED wall powered by ARwall’s proprietary software enables filmmakers to create photorealistic environments without leaving the soundstage — complete with dynamic weather, traffic, and crowds.
“This isn’t a pre-baked scene,” Amador said during a demonstration. “Everything in this environment is fully simulated. We’re talking vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, rain, snow, wind — everything you’d expect from the outdoors, but controlled right here on set.”
The technology offers a fully customizable, real-time backdrop, allowing productions to switch from a nighttime cityscape to a sunlit desert or a rainy street within seconds. Amador said this is the first environment of its kind released for public production use, incorporating assets from The Matrix Awakens video game, which was built to promote the film The Matrix Resurrections.
“We took the assets from the game, pulled them apart, rebuilt them, and maintained the pedestrian and traffic systems so you can change them on the fly,” he said. “This was created by Warner Bros. and Unreal Engine — it’s the Fortnite engine (powering it).”
While similar technology is often associated with large-budget productions like The Mandalorian, Amador said this platform is designed to empower smaller studios and local creators.
“You don’t need millions of dollars to build a sci-fi set or fly to Japan for a shoot,” Amador said. “You can do it here. We’re giving people the power to create scenes they couldn’t have dreamed of before—and what you see through the camera is the final product. There’s no post-production needed to complete the illusion.”
For Jeremy Winton and Kristi Kilday, co-founders of both Goldenrod Film & Television and the Kentucky Sound Stage, the decision to bring ARwall technology to Owensboro was driven by a vision of making high-end production accessible while attracting larger projects to Kentucky.
“Kentucky can literally be anywhere in the world — or the galaxy,” Kilday said. “If we can’t find a New York subway in Kentucky, we can build one right here. We can have all the things people say Kentucky doesn’t have.”
Amador, who has directed or produced more than 350 commercials and served as virtual production lead on more than 100 projects, said the Owensboro facility is now positioned alongside top-tier production spaces.
“We’ve deployed this technology around the world,” he said. “This is the first time it’s been part of a full production facility like this. Most of the others are tucked into a room in an office building. Here, you can bring a car in, shoot your driving scenes, and knock out a good portion of your production without ever leaving the stage.”
Kilday said the space is designed to serve both high-level productions and local businesses looking for an affordable, cutting-edge option for commercials and marketing content.
“The most important thing is that this is very advanced technology, but it’s also very user-friendly,” she said. “It’s not just for movies and television. It’s for politicians, small businesses, anyone who wants to create high-quality content right here in Owensboro.”
Kentucky Sound Stage is now available for rental, with construction underway on additional parts of the facility. The traditional white cyc wall, green screen room, and glam room are expected to be completed within the next two weeks. The larger banquet space, named “The Sanctuary,” will follow soon after and host events ranging from concerts to corporate banquets.
For productions interested in the virtual stage, Kilday said they typically schedule one day of technical preparation for every day of shooting. Anyone interested in utilizing the facility can call 270-925-6813 for more information.
“If someone called us Monday, they could be in on Tuesday starting tech,” she said.
Amador said he expects to see growing interest from independent films, including his own. He is currently executive producing a World War II feature and said the Owensboro facility is a perfect match.
“We’re looking at how to recreate the 1940s for the parts we can’t shoot on location,” he said. “Everything is lining up for us, from the technology to the state’s tax incentives. This facility is going to open a lot of doors.”
