Find educational opportunies, news and more!
Find educational opportunies, news and more!

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Summer is in full swing and Oklahoma’s film and music scene plays on with a variety of exciting events and opportunities this month! After wrapping successful film partnerships such as the deadCenter Film Festival and SeriesFest, music takes center stage this month with Okemah’s annual WoodyFest celebration as well as a number of upcoming special event spotlights curated by the City of Tulsa (Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture), which has officially declared July as Tulsa Music Month. A number of Oklahoma produced films will also celebrate their releases this month, including the Lifetime movie “College Professor Obsession” - one of six films produced by Danny Roth in Oklahoma within the last year - as well as the buzzy theatrical release of Tom McCarthy’s “Stillwater”, a dramatic thriller starring Matt Damon, which had a significant economic impact during its 2019 filming in Central Oklahoma.
At the top of the month, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) officially joined the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, where we will continue to assist in further building and developing Oklahoma’s workforce, businesses and communities through the in-state production of film, television and music. Similarly, we’ve been thrilled to see so many local developments provide film workforce training, such as recent workshops with the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University and Prairie Surf Studios.
With a busy season for film and music in the months ahead, we invite you to soak in the rest of the summer with Oklahoma film and music opportunities in your area, and invite you to stay connected with us through our social media @okfilmmusic where we will be sharing more all month long!

COMING SOON!

December 2020 workshop hosted by the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO). Courtesy of Josh Bivens.
‘Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021’ Application Portal Opening Soon
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed new legislation on May 24, 2021, designed to attract higher impact film and television productions to the state. SB 608 establishes the ‘Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021’ further increasing the state’s film incentive cap and eligibility threshold to host major motion pictures and television series with additional mechanisms in place to further grow local workforce and infrastructure as well as stimulate economic impact in Oklahoma’s rural communities.

JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS

OF+MO FREE Film School
Streaming | Watch now!
SeriesFest
Streaming | June 24 - July 11

WoodyFest
Okemah | July 14-18

EDUCATION + WORKFORCE

OF+MO Wraps “Zoom Series” at 21st Annual deadCenter Film Festival
OF+MO was proud to be a returning sponsor of the 21st annual deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City, which was held as a hybrid event this year featuring both virtual and select in-person events. As part of the partnership with the festival, OF+MO proudly presented its “OF+MO Zoom Series” highlighting the state’s growing film workforce, new infrastructure and valued education institutions with a variety of special guests. The hour-long sessions were broadcast for free to the public via the festival’s screening portal as well as deadCenter’s and OF+MO’s Facebook pages. Congratulations to deadCenter Film Festival on another successful year, and many thanks to our participating industry professionals, partners, educators and state leaders for their valuable insight and contributions to our video series.
OF+MO Presents Pitch-A-Thon at SeriesFest Season 7
Celebrating its seventh year, OF+MO was proud to be a returning partner of SeriesFest, an award-winning annual independent television pilot festival based in Denver, Colorado, which was held virtually June 24 - July 11. OF+MO’s partnership with SeriesFest provided the opportunity to promote the state of Oklahoma as a top filming destination as a presenter of the festival’s Pitch-A-Thon. This program provides independent content creators the opportunity to participate in an exclusive live pitch session with top television, new media and digital executives in hopes of moving their unproduced projects forward. Congratulations to all of this year’s pitch participants as well as this year’s winner, Oklahoma’s own Amy Janes, whose heartfelt project 'Honkers' resonated with the voting committee who evaluated the pitches.

Prairie Surf Media to Host Summer Film Course Series
Prairie Surf Media (PSM) is proud to present their first-ever summer film course series at the newly renovated Prairie Surf Studios in downtown Oklahoma City. PSM is kick starting the summer with a four-week Screenwriting class and a one-day Pathways panel THIS SATURDAY, July 17. Both events will feature elite guest speakers and will be hosted by the team at Prairie Surf Media, a global production company focused on multi-platform content creation in the growing metropolis of Oklahoma City. Registration is now CLOSED for the Screenwriting class. Spaces are still available for the Pathways panel this Saturday.

WoodyFest Returns for 24th Annual Event in Woody Guthrie’s Hometown
OF+MO is proud to sponsor the 24th annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (WoodyFest) celebrating the iconic folk singer’s 109th birthday in his hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, July 14-18. This five-day event will pay tribute to Woody Guthrie through songs, communion, scholarship, tradition, storytelling and songwriting. In addition to honoring the folk legend with musical performances, the festival will feature a family-friendly Children’s Festival, educational panels, workshops and more, including the sixth annual WoodyFest Songwriting Workshop Saturday, July 17, presented by OF+MO and hosted by Ellis Paul, a veteran WoodyFest performer and seasoned singer/songwriter and folk musician. 
FEIO Hosts Summer Film Production Workshop at Prairie Surf Studio
The Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO) successfully held its 2021 Summer Film Production Workshop July 5-8, 2021, at Prairie Surf Studios in Oklahoma City. Nearly 70 students from various tech centers, high schools, colleges and universities participated in the workshop, even welcoming some participants from nearby states Texas and Missouri. During the workshop, students received hands-on mentorship and training from 20 renowned local film professionals who served as their instructors as they collaborated on the short film “Amelia’s Prayer” gaining knowledge on different crew positions and the experience of working on a professional film set. Those who completed the workshop will receive a Certification of Completion that is recognized by the instructors/crew members that oversaw their training in the workshop, along with an IMDB credit for their resume. Multiple students have already been offered employment on various productions that begin photography this month.
"This workshop continues to make an impact into our local industry." said Trevor Rogers, Executive Director of FEIO. "Students got the full experience of what it is like to work on a film set and experienced the everyday challenges that this business presents during the filming process. We're so grateful for our outstanding local department heads that continue to come back to this workshop and impart their knowledge to the next generation of Oklahoma crew members."
CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR OKLAHOMA CREW + CASTING JOB POSTINGS

BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE

On set of "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Left to right: Chad Renfro, Ambassador Liaison for Osage Nation & Chief Standing Bear; Justine Conte, Producer; Tava Maloy Sofsky, OF+MO; Brent Kisling, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
OF+MO Joins the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Effective July 1, 2021, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office has moved to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) from its former under the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. Earlier this year, 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, OF+MO will continue working to grow Oklahoma’s film industry by recruiting film and television projects as well as companies that build necessary infrastructure, like soundstages and production studios as well as further local workforce development and economic impact throughout the state.

Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture Relaunches Music Recovery Program
The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Art & Culture (Tulsa FMAC), the Tulsa FMAC Executive Committee, the Play Tulsa Music Sub-Committee and Tulsa Regional Tourism have announced the 2021 relaunch of Play Tulsa Music, a $100,000 fund designed to assist Tulsa area venues hiring local musicians for live performances throughout July, August and September. Play Tulsa Music was originally created and launched in September 2020 as a recovery effort supported with Tulsa County CARES Act funding. $190,000 was distributed to 26 venues in Tulsa County, helping to support 700+ local, live performances. The funding went directly to performing musicians, as well as tech positions supporting live music performances.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: Appications are 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 open!
FEATURED BUSINESS
Keeley Electronics
Keeley Electronics has manufactured some of the world's finest boutique guitar and bass effects right here in Oklahoma since 2001. For the last 20 years, they have led the guitar industry with innovation, usability, build quality and customer service.

"Being in the middle of the USA has its advantages when it comes to supplies, shipping, and so much more. We are also proud to employ over 30 hard working Oklahomans with a great career."

COMMUNITIES + LOCATIONS

Right: Kati Thomason, OF+MO; Left: Steve Maddox, El Reno TV & Film Commission
City of El Reno Hosts Film Friendly Community Tour
The El Reno TV & Film Commission and City of El Reno hosted a mixer and networking event highlighting the launch of their own community film office and recent film friendly certification through OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. The event featured local music and food, special guest speakers from the city, including Mayor Matt White and Film Liaison Steve Maddox, and a bus tour showcasing a number of El Reno’s film friendly locations, some of which attendees were able to physically scout. OF+MO was represented by Music Business Development Coordinator Kati Thomason who promoted the office while networking with those filmmakers and other industry members in attendance. Many thanks and congratulations to the El Reno TV & Film Commission on their successful launch and event!

OF+MO is on the cusp of certifying additional communities as part of the Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. Stay tuned for more announcements soon, and save the date for our next virtual Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. CST. For more information on the Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program, please contact Outreach and Production Manager Yousef Kazemi at Yousef.Kazemi@TravelOK.com.
 

July Named Tulsa Music Month

The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture (TulsaFMAC) has collaborated with the City of Tulsa to name July as "TULSA MUSIC MONTH", a city-wide celebration of Tulsa’s music ecosystem. From live shows and itineraries to musician interviews and take overs, July will bring Tulsans an entire month of local music content.
Follow @TulsaFMAC, @CityofTulsa and @TulsaMayorGTByum for content all month long!
FEATURED LOCATION
Shangri-La Resort
Nestled on Monkey Island on Oklahoma’s beautiful Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, Shangri-La Resort offers the ultimate island getaway with world-class hospitality in a beautiful island setting that's unlike any other you’ll find in the state. Championship golf, swimming, boating, fishing, parasailing, indoor/outdoor dining options, a fitness center and a medical spa make it a prime destination for those who want choices to do everything – or nothing at all. The resort features 119 rooms and suites, 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, picturesque outdoor lakeside settings, world-class outdoor resort pool and indoor pool, state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment and much more!
Many thanks to the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce President Donnie Crain for submitting this location to our database in consideration of future film opportunities in the community as they pursue film friendly certification. 
If you are interested in showcasing your community or featuring your location in the Oklahoma Locations Directory, please contact Yousef Kazemi at Yousef.Kazemi@TravelOK.com or visit our website for more information.

OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS

JONATHAN KING | film producer
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.
July's Spotlight features Jonathan King, producer of the film "Stillwater", which was partially filmed in Oklahoma. King discusses the production's reasons for filming in Oklahoma as well as their incredible experience with local crew and residents.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!

FEATURED FILM CAREER

Aaron Bracetty | electrician
"Having worked independently on video production business the last four years has been pretty isolating. However, getting on set and working with others has really brought back the joy in the process of creating. I learn everyday from my crew mates and have made lifelong friendships. I have met so many incredible people that I can’t imagine to going back to working exclusively independent on projects after this experience."

FEATURED MUSIC CAREER

Grady Cross | venue owner/guitarist
"I feel like we have some of the best musicians out of the state of Oklahoma. It’s a great place to pass through especially playing in the Red Dirt scene. It’s centrally located and we get a lot of great musicians passing through here."

FILM ACTIVITY

NOW FILMING
OF+MO is pleased to announce two projects 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 July
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.
Find crew and casting calls in Oklahoma on the jobs page of our website!⁠ Have one? Send it to us at filminfo@oklahomafilm.org.
NEW RELEASES
WATCH: Projects Filmed in Oklahoma Releasing this Month!
  • "College Professor Obsession" (formerly "Deadly Dormitory") premiered on Lifetime July 11.
  • "Hostage House" will start streaming on Netflix July 27
  • "Stillwater" releases in theatres July 30 (details below)
Click the image to watch the trailer for "Stillwater".
“Stillwater” Releases in Theatres July 30
Partially produced in Oklahoma, the dramatic thriller “Stillwater” will be domestically released in theatres by Focus Features, in association with Participant Media and DreamWorks, on July 30, 2021. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight”) and starring Oscar winner Matt Damon (“Good Will Hunting”), “Stillwater” follows an American oil rig roughneck from Oklahoma (Damon) who travels to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter (played by “Little Miss Sunshine” Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin) in prison for a murder she claims she did not commit. “Stillwater” was filmed in Oklahoma throughout the communities of Oklahoma City, Arcadia, El Reno, Guthrie and Coyle in November 2019. The film celebrated its world premiere at the prestigious 2021 Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, July 8, 2021, ahead of its theatrical release.


CURRENT OPEN CALLS

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
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!
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!

Listen to Oklahoma Music on Spotify
OF+MO has made it easy to listen to Oklahoma music with 18 playlists (so far) on Spotify. Genres include blues, hip hop, indie, pop, Red Dirt, Oklahoma music in film, and more!
Get your music added! 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 us at filminfo@oklahomafilm.org.⁠
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.

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.

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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