A double feature was playing recently when I went to the movies with MacLean Lessenberry in downtown Glasgow.

These shows weren’t ready for the screen at the Plaza, yet one was filming a block in front of the theater’s marquee, and the other was underway a block behind the theater’s fly space.

I “shadowed” MacLean during an hour-long scene as she performed duties related to her work as Executive Director of the Glasgow-Barren County Tourist and Convention Commission and President of the South-Central Kentucky Film Commission. She was extremely efficient and incredibly energetic (especially for someone whose last workday/workmorning lasted until 2 a.m.).

“It’s never boring,” she remarked as we walked from one movie project to the other. MacLean checked the progress at each location and made many notes onto her iPhone, listing upcoming needs for the current films and requests for possible future productions.

As a liaison between the local community and the visiting film makers, MacLean aids in lodging, helps acquire local extras, does some location scouting, and remains prepared to answer on-site questions and requests from the film crew.

She was asked on short notice to provide a vegan sheet cake for one scene, and a cute 5-year-old extra for another, and MacLean successfully delivered. She commented that unexpected challenges such as these are frequent in her work.

“We want them to have a positive experience of the community,” MacLean said about what she considers to be the “secret sauce” of her service. “If we can get them here once, we are about 99% sure of getting them back.”

Indeed, that “secret sauce” seems to be working. During a break on the set where a romantic comedy was being filmed, MacLean was approached by one film maker.

Clearly impressed by the local area, he showed an interest in bringing yet another project and questioned MacLean about locations, scheduling, and such. As they talked, MacLean made notes and promised to quickly follow up with information and pictures.

At the other set, a doomsday thriller was being filmed during a sunny afternoon. But when the director called “Action,” a large tarp blocked the sunlight and water poured over the actors, creating a rainy evening.

MacLean told me some people working there had returned to Glasgow after a previous project. Watching MacLean approach her work with professionalism and warmth during this visit made clear why filmmakers keep returning to Glasgow.

Perhaps the clearest example of MacLean’s impact during my brief visit to the sets came from Ho-Sung Park, who introduced himself to me as having been an actor before becoming a producer and second-unit director. He played Raphael in a couple of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies and then Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat.

Referring to Maclean’s work, he said, “She’s the best of all time! There are some who are amazing and some who are good, but she’s even beyond amazing. She’s a Glasgow treasure.”

Now, that’s pretty good praise coming from a former turtle!