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It is a season of change all around, and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to share that this month we have joined our new home under the leadership and administration of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. We’re very excited about the opportunities for further workforce and infrastructure development associated with this transition as we continue to propel Oklahoma’s film and music industries forward.
Congratulations are in order for the Oklahoma-made movie “Minari”, which recently took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. If you haven’t already watched our video on “The Making of Minari in Oklahoma”, we invite you to join us as we spotlight some of Oklahoma professionals, partners and communities who successfully brought this production to life in our state. It takes a village to make a movie, and we extend our gratitude to all Oklahomans - many of whom you may recognize on the film’s IMDB page - for their contributions.
With a number of amazing film and music festivals coming up this month, there’s plenty of chances to support our local moviemakers and musicians either virtually or in person, and don’t forget to visit the jobs page of our website, which has a number of new cast and crew calls for Oklahomans.
Stay tuned to our social media (@okfilmmusic) for forthcoming film and music news as well as other big changes to be announced soon!
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Click the image to watch the Oklahoma economic impact commercial!
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| Film Industry Economic Impact in Oklahoma: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
A single movie or tv series can create hundreds of jobs sending economic waves across numerous industries throughout the state. The numbers speak for themselves as the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) recruited 34 film and television projects that utilized the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program in Fiscal Year 20 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020), which employed 3,960 Oklahomans and contributed a direct fiscal impact of more than $32.8 million to the state’s economy. This impact does not include the 150+ productions outside the state’s incentive program, comprised of commercial projects, music videos, student films and more.
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| JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS
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Watch Now! The Making of Minari in Oklahoma: Spotlighting Oklahoma's Film Industry Pros, Partners + Communities
Congratulations to Yuh-Jung Youn on her well-deserved Oscar win for her role in the Oklahoma-made film "Minari"! From Oklahoma to the Oscars, “Minari” has shined a light on the local film industry. Take a deeper dive into the Academy Award-winning film’s production in the state with our panel on “The Making of 'Minari' in Oklahoma”. Learn more about the film, including behind-the-scenes stories from some of the local professionals, partners and communities whose hard work and dedication brought the film to life in our state. "Minari" is now available on-demand and DVD.
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Click the image to watch Pivotal Work: Early Access!
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| Watch Now! Pivotal Work: Early Access FREE Video Series
Watch all three episodes of our Pivotal Work: Early Access FREE video series! Join some of the state’s leading industry professionals for this free video series, which features discussions designed to educate and inspire audiences seeking to learn more about career opportunities within Oklahoma’s film and music industries.
“The Pivotal Work: Early Access Series” was safely recorded with social distancing measures in place at Del City’s Castle Row Studios with production company The Visual Brain.
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Click the image to watch the first eight episodes of OF+MO Film School!
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| Watch Now! OF+MO Film School FREE Video Series
As we count down to the 2021 deadCenter Film Festival, OF+MO is excited to share our OF+MO Film School video series, which originally streamed at the 2020 festival. OF+MO Film School provides introductory courses on film topics from some of the state’s top working film professionals. The first eight episodes have been released and stay tuned! New episodes will be released weekly leading up to this year’s deadCenter Film Festival June 10-20, including never-before-seen bonus episodes.
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Metro Technology Centers Offers COVID-19 Compliance Officer Safety Protocols Workshop
In response to the highly transmissible novel coronavirus, COVID-19, that has caused a global pandemic, a new department of health & safety team members and COVID Compliance Officers are necessary for film and television production to continue. Metro Technology Centers is offering a course designed to provide education on the virus and the most current health and safety information relevant to the community of filmmakers, producers, crew and industry professionals. This course is available virtually May 11 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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| | Winners Announced for the Second OklaHomies Short Film Contest
The Cherokee Nation Film Office recently announced the winners of their second OklaHomies Short Film Contest, which OF+MO was proud to sponsor. A dozen local filmmakers participated in the contest designed to promote film careers and provide a much-needed break during this time. Congratulations to all who participated as well as the winning films “Mask/Off”, “Checkmate”, “Magic Tape”, “G.F.3.R.T.”, “A Proper Goodbye” and “Stay At Home Orders”.
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Current Crew + Casting Calls
CREW
CASTING
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| BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE
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OF+MO Joins the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
On Tuesday, April 27 Governor Kevin Stitt signed SB949, which moves the OF+MO to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce). OF+MO was previously part of the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreational Department. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2021. In mid-April, Commerce announced a realignment of its Business Development team to focus on sector-based recruitment of economic development projects. The OF+MO team will join Commerce’s Business Development division, bringing a new industry to the agency’s strategy. Under Commerce, the OF+MO team will continue their work growing Oklahoma’s film industry by recruiting film and television projects as well as companies that build necessary infrastructure, like soundstages and production studios.
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Oklahoma Department of Commerce Director Names Film in Top Three Growing Industries in the State
During the Enid Regional Development Alliance’s annual meeting on April 8, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) Director Brent Kisling named film in the top three growing industries in the state, alongside automotive and meat-processing. All three of these industries, Kisling said, can grow because companies that are headquartered in other states are starting to relocate or build businesses in the state, including eight to ten production studios moving from California to Oklahoma, which will create “permanent jobs”. During the pandemic, filming was restricted heavily, and Kisling said Oklahoma was the only state that didn’t entirely shut down, so 38 films were shot in the state.
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: Appications are Now Open
As a result of collaborative efforts among Congress people, private sector music industry professionals that united to form the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), and the 2.1 million emails constituents sent elected officials expressing their support for the Save Our Stages Act, independent venues and promoters have been included in the latest COVID-19 Relief Bill with the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. Applications are now open!
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FEATURED BUSINESS
Red Dirt Relief Fund
The Red Dirt Relief Fund, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has provided more than $450,000 to 700+ music people in 38 Oklahoma counties since its inception in 2012. Recipients’ situations range from loss of property due to wildfire and tornado to loss of work after accidents or medical emergencies. Most notably, grants totaling more than a quarter million dollars have helped struggling music professionals during pandemic.
“... We never imagined how essential this would be for an industry rocked by pandemic as venues shuttered, tours were cancelled and gatherings of any type became unsafe,” said Katie Dale, Executive Director of the Red Dirt Relief Fund. “In previous years we’ve made about 40 grants annually. Since last March, we’ve made over 700 grants across 38 Oklahoma counties totaling $272,000 for music people working jobs in churches, orchestras, schools, recording studios, venues and every genre of performance. We are grateful for the support of everyone who makes this work possible.”
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| | Save-The-Date: Upcoming Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program Meeting May 26
OF+MO will virtually host its second quarterly Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. CST. Our featured community guest at this meeting will be Abby Kurin, Executive Director of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, who will highlight how her city and office work to champion the entertainment and creative industries in her community.
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Clean Shorts Film Festival Stays Virtual for 2021
The Clean Shorts Film Festival will be held virtually through the event’s website May 6-8, 2021. The festival was established in 2015 by the digital media students of Choctaw’s Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (EOCTC) and showcases short films across all genres that are fresh, creative and appropriate for all audiences. This year’s Clean Shorts Film Festival will stream 81 official selections of various genres from around the world, including 13 films created by Oklahomans. Additionally, the festival will also stream 11 submissions created by students from around the state for the Clean Shorts Student Fest Film Challenge. A virtual award ceremony will be broadcast on the evening of May 8.
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Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café “Live from the Farm” Celebrates Tenth Year
Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival that has taken place in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the past nine years, will be “Live from the Farm” in its tenth year, a show that was filmed live at the birthplace of Red Dirt Music, The Farm in Stillwater, and will premiere on digital streaming platforms for free through O’Colly TV on May 12 at 7:00 p.m. The event benefits Oklahoma artists in need through the Red Dirt Relief Fund.
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Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce Hosts Second Annual Tonkawa Film Festival
Committed to promoting the art of filmmaking in the heart of Oklahoma, the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Tonkawa Film Festival, which will be held in-person May 21-22, 2021, at Wilkin Hill on the beautiful Northern Oklahoma College campus. The festival will include 38 genre-spanning short films from around the world, including several selections from local filmmakers as well a special screening of the feature film “We Are What We Are” followed by a virtual Q+A with actor Bill Sage (“Hap and Leonard”, “American Psycho”). A unique feature of this event, festival attendees and visiting filmmakers will also be treated to a one-of-a-kind film festival parade on Saturday, May 22, at 12:00 p.m., which includes a tribute to Oklahoma’s farmers with tractors included in the festivities.
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OF+MO Creates Oklahoma Music Playlists on Spotify
Want to listen to music from around the state? OF+MO has made it easy to access by creating playlists on Spotify featuring Oklahoma musicians and bands. With 18 playlists so far, genres include Amereicana, blues, hip hop, indie, pop, Oklahoma music in film, and more, with artists such as Kaitlin Butts, Original Flow, Lincka, John Mooreland, Deerpeople, Red Dirt Rangers and many more.
If you’re an Oklahoma artist who is registered in the Oklahoma Music Directory, we invite you to be featured on one of our playlists by updating your listing with your Spotify page or emailing our Music Business Development Coordinator, Kati Thomason, at Kati.Thomason@TravelOK.com.
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FEATURED LOCATION
Cookie's on Western
A staple of Oklahoma since 1995, Cookie’s on Western is one of Oklahoma City’s original karaoke bars, offering crooners a chance to sing their hearts out seven nights a week! Serving up custom cocktails as well as a well-curated selection of local crafts and spirits, Cookie’s charm resonates the minute you step into the establishment from its shotgun bar to its black and white checkerboard floor tiles with walls covered in original artwork from Oklahomans inspired by the location itself. Additional features include an outdoor patio, chess/checker tables, electronic dates, Megatouch game system and a TouchTunes jukebox. The all-inclusive atmosphere of this establishment keeps patrons coming back for more, including private events, and its film-friendly hospitality most recently welcomed last year’s production of the Mickey Reece film “Agnes”.
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| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS
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KIM PERCIVAL | line producer/production manager
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| The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO)’s “Oklahoma Film + Music Spotlight” features various filmmakers, musicians and industry leaders who have experienced the positive benefits of making film and music in Oklahoma.
May's Spotlight features Kim Percival, a line producer and production manager who works in the Oklahoma film industry as an expat. She talks about the advantages of coming to the state to work as a crew member and the major draws for filmmakers to bring their productions to Oklahoma.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!
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FEATURED FILM CAREER
Grant Provence | sound department
"My favorite aspect of working in Oklahoma is the camaraderie. The film community here is very welcoming, and you want to hang out with them after work."
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FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Ahna Jennings | singer/songwriter
"I would have to say the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame [is my favorite Oklahoma music venue]. That was the place I got acquainted with so many wonderful people and musicians. The Hall just has this amazing vibe and homey feel."
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NOW FILMING
OF+MO is pleased to announce three projects are filming this month utilizing Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program. Due to safety and public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, some productions have temporarily modified or suspended their production dates in Oklahoma.
Filming in May
- "Reservation Dogs"
- "Killers of the Flower Moon"
- "Black Bags"
Please note that these dates are subject to change pending the production’s compliance with the benchmarks and administrative rules for the rebate program. For a current listing of films in the rebate queue, please visit the Now Filming section of our website.
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OF+MO and Apple Original Films Announce Start of Principal Photography on Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Killers of the Flower Moon”
OF+MO and Apple Original Films announced the commencement of principal photography on “Killers of the Flower Moon” in Oklahoma on April 19. Hailing from Apple Studios, the film is directed and produced by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese. “Killers of the Flower Moon” joins Apple Original Films’ award-winning feature film slate, with its critically acclaimed films “Wolfwalkers” and “Greyhound” recently honored with Academy Award nominations.
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THAT'S A WRAP
Wrapped in April
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Kingdom Story Company Wraps Back-to-Back Productions in Oklahoma
After the successful release of their Oklahoma-made movie “I Can Only Imagine” in 2018, filmmakers Jon and Andy Erwin and their producing partner Kevin Downes created Kingdom Story Company, a multi-platform partnership with Lionsgate whose partners are endeavored to create life-changing content from a variety of talented storytellers. Based on their positive experiences filming in Oklahoma and working with the state’s camera-ready workforce and infrastructure, Kingdom Story returned to Oklahoma late last year where they filmed two back-to-back consecutive feature films, “The Unbreakable Boy” and “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story”, which are estimated to have had an impact of over $20 million in Oklahoma.
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Still from Oklahoma-made film "Golden Arm".
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| WATCH: Projects Filmed in Oklahoma!
- "Minari" now available on-demand and DVD
- “Golden Arm” now available in select theatres and on-demand
- "Birdie" now streaming on PureFlix
- "How I Met Your Murderer" now streaming on the Lifetime website/app
- "Sorority Sister Killer" will premiere on Lifetime Sunday, May 16, at 7PM CST
- "Tracking a Killer" will premiere on Lifetime Friday, May 21 at 7PM CST
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| | Start your new career in the Oklahoma film industry!
As the entertainment industry continues to flourish both globally and here in Oklahoma, the need for the continued development and expansion of our local film industry workforce and companies is critical. We invite you to explore resources to learn more about ways you can plug in to the industry and start your careers now!
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Start your new career in the Oklahoma music industry!
Home to some of the most renowned musical acts and venues in the world, there are more exciting opportunities in Oklahoma’s music industry than ever before. We invite you to explore our website’s resources to learn more about ways you can plug in to the industry and start your careers now!
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AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Instantly access the Oklahoma Production, Locations and Music Directories with the OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC OFFICE APP to explore and connect with Oklahoma's talented crew, accommodating support services, diverse locations and legendary musicians. For more information, visit the iTunes Store.
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Stay Connected with Your Legislator
Connect with your local area state legislators at oklegislature.gov or by using the Oklahoma Legislative Guide for the 58th Legislature app, which provides current contact information and photos of each representative. This free app is provided by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC). Find it in the app store.
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| About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma's film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit okfilmmusic.org.
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SUPPORT • CONNECT • PROMOTE
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