|
|
While we fall in to a new season, one thing is constant and that is positive change here in Oklahoma! You may notice our converted logo since we’ve moved under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, as well as some new features in our online Production and Music Directories. Momentum is also picking up, as filming is underway for many new features around the state due to our state’s new Filmed in Oklahoma Act Rebate Program. Filming activity and more career opportunities abound statewide, as our incentive program’s portal remains open and our team works hard to recruit and welcome new business.
This issue is evidence of our strategic partnerships and collaborations throughout the state, as we are prioritizing building a stronger workforce and community infrastructure to support the wave of new films and television series choosing Oklahoma as their long-term production hub. In September, we proudly welcomed two new film friendly certified communities, including Guthrie and Edmond, and are thrilled with the response from communities eager to learn how they can sharpen their tools and increase their visibility to host productions.
I’d also like to take an opportunity to congratulate a valued partner, Jennifer Loren of the Cherokee Nation Film Office and welcome Kevin Shand as the new Office Manager and Film Commissioner for the Nation.
If you’re local, we invite you to check our updated Now Filming, Educational Opportunities and Jobs pages for new opportunities, as well as follow us on social media (@okfilmmusic) as we post news and listings weekly!
We rise as one and remain stronger together,
| |
Stay in Touch with Our *NEW* Emails!
With our recent move to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, make sure to stay connected with us by accessing our updated contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses. We look forward to hearing from you!
| |
| JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS
| |
Make Your Listing Stand Out with Newly Added Features in the OF+MO Directories
In addition to allowing customizations such as profile pictures, which can really make a listing stand out, both the Oklahoma Production Directory and Oklahoma Music Directory have new features that allow users to include optional designations for themselves related to specific demographics if you wish to include them in your registration profile. New directory registrants will have the option to include these if preferred during their initial setup while existing users can login to their current account to update accordingly. Login to your profile (crew login / music login) to ensure your listing reflects current contact information, projects, photos and link to any streaming platforms today!
| |
 |
Click the image to watch the OF+MO Zoom Series!
|
| WATCH NOW! OF+MO Zoom Series
OF+MO was proud to host the “OF+MO Zoom Series” at deadCenter Film Festival in June 2021. This series highlights the state’s film workforce, infrastructure and education with a variety of special guests, including industry professionals, partners, educators and state leaders. Watch the first three of five panel discussions now on our YouTube channel and stay tuned for episodes releasing weekly!
| |
 |
Click the image to watch The Resonance Series with Bartees Strange!
|
| WATCH NOW! The Resonance Series with Bartees Strange
The Resonance Series is a FREE guest lecture series hosted by the University of Oklahoma's (OU) School of Music and Jazz in June that connects OU students and Norman musicians with music professionals from around the world. Speakers share their experiences, provide the future generation with insight into the industry and career paths, and answer questions students may have. Presented by OF+MO, September's episode featured indie rock and hip hop artist Bartees Strange, who was raised in Oklahoma and is a former OU student. Learn more about the series and future episodes here.
| |
| | OF+MO to Curate Panels During 2021 Oklahoma Arts Conference
OF+MO is working with the Oklahoma Arts Council to curate a variety of panels for the upcoming 2021 Oklahoma Arts Conference. This year’s conference will be held October 27-29, 2021, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with the theme “Embracing The Dawn”. Stay tuned for more information on this event by subscribing to our e-blasts where we will soon announce further details on our curated panels, which will highlight Oklahoma’s film, television and music industry alongside the creative culture of our communities and arts leaders.
| | |
OF+MO Talks to High School Students About Job Opportunities in the Oklahoma Film Industry
Workforce and educational opportunities abound in Oklahoma's thriving film and television industry! OF+MO had the pleasure to speak about these topics and more with the engaged young minds a Union Tulsa High School's ‘Beyond U’ Conference today, which annually provides their students the chance to learn about post-graduate college and career options from professionals across multiple industries and organizations around the state.
| |
Current Crew + Casting Calls
CREW
CASTING
| |
| BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE
| |
 |
Kevin Shand, newly appointed Cherokee Nation Film Commissioner and Office Manager
|
| Cherokee Nation Announces New Film Commissioner
The Cherokee Nation has announced Kevin Shand as its new film commissioner. In the position, Shand will serve dual roles as both film commissioner for the Cherokee Nation and as the Cherokee Nation Film Office manager. Shand previously served as the Colorado state film commissioner and director of the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Shand also served as executive director of the state’s nonprofit Colorado Film Commission, as well as a film commissioner for Stanislaus County in California, the release states.
| |
OF+MO Talks About Benefits of Oklahoma's Film Industry to Commercial Real Estate Sector
OF+MO had the honor to speak at the 2021 Commercial Real Estate Summit about the benefits of Oklahoma’s film industry and necessity for innovative partnerships between film productions and commercial real estate agents and property owners. Increased film and television production in Oklahoma brings more opportunities to the commercial real estate sector as productions look to contract local facility rentals, including office space, storage, construction, filming locations and more.
If you represent or own a commercial property or would like to promote your real estate services to the state’s film industry, consider registering in the Oklahoma Production and Location Directories.
| |
FEATURED BUSINESS
Jouney House Travel, Inc.
Founded in 1938 and operating continuously since, Journey House Travel - an American Express Representative, is a full-service travel management company dedicated to serving the needs of clients by offering the best in service and value in travel-related services.
"The sky is truly the limit. Oklahomans are ready to embrace the film and music industries, which will bring all players in the industry welcoming community support, competitive economic benefits and a slower pace of life while still having the benefits of a big city. We are so excited to be a part of it!"
| |
OF+MO Hosts Film Friendly Workshop in Shawnee
OF+MO hosted a film friendly workshop in the City of Shawnee last month and was excited to share information about Oklahoma's thriving film and television industry and explain what a newly certified film friendly community, like Shawnee, can expect when hosting productions. Thank you to the Shawnee Film & Music Office and Visit Shawnee for inviting our office to present this workshop to their city and community leadership.
| |
 |
Pictured left to right: State Rep Brian Hill; Mayor Brian Grider; Chamber CEO Renee Peerman; Matt Payne, co-founder of Prairie Surf Media; Garrett Starks, owner of Castle Row Studios; Tava Maloy Sofsky, Director of OF+MO; MPS Superintendent Charles Bradley
|
| OF+MO Attends Mustang Chamber of Commerce's September Community Luncheon
OF+MO was proud to support both our film industry partners and community colleagues by attending the Mustang Chamber of Commerce's September Community Luncheon, which featured guest speaker Matt Payne of Prairie Surf Media (PSM). The event celebrated the successes of the Oklahoma film and television industry thus far, including the launch and continued initiatives of PSM, as well as further encouraged the ongoing efforts of communities like Mustang to pursue film friendly certification through OF+MO's Film Friendly Community Program.
| |
City of Lawton Achieves Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Certification
OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Lawton and Lawton Arts & Humanities, is proud to announce the community of Lawton has achieved ‘film friendly’ certification after completing the requirements of OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. Prior to the implementation of the Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program, Lawton was one of the first cities in the state to develop a city-specific permit for filming in their city, and their community recently hosted the feature film productions of “Afterwalker” (2019) and “What Josiah Saw” (2020).
| |
City of Guthrie Achieves Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Certification
OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Guthrie, is proud to announce the city has achieved ‘film friendly’ certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. Unique locations like the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple and Dominion House add to the town’s robust portfolio of locations with the city having hosted a number of recent film productions, including the forthcoming feature films “Black Bags”, “The Unbreakable Boy”, “God’s Not Dead: We The People” and “Reagan” to name a few.
| | | |
 |
Click the image to watch "Okie Roundup"!
|
| WATCH NOW! Okie Roundup: An Oklahoma Showcase Live from the Mercury Lounge
Last year, OF+MO partnered with Mercury Lounge in Tulsa and Creative Entertainment Network to create a one-hour virtual concert showcasing Americana talent from across the state during Americana Music Association's Thriving Roots event, and it is now available to watch for free!
“Okie Roundup” features performances from Travis Linville, Carter Sampson, Stephen Salewon's Music, Samantha Crain, John Fullbright and Red Dirt Rangers.
| |
|
FEATURED LOCATION
Lake Lawtonka
Located just north of the newly film friendly certified City of Lawton, Lake Lawtonka features 21 miles of shoreline and 2,398 surface acres of expansive landscapes that offer stunning views of the nearby Wichita Mountains. The lake is a prime destination for swimming, boating, water sports and bass fishing and features seven developed recreation areas, including School House Slough and Robinson Landing. Other amenities and facilities include boat and fishing docks, boat ramps, campsites, RV pads with electricity, picnic sites, grills, restrooms, playgrounds and concessions stands. Managed by the City of Lawton, portions of this film friendly location can be seen in the 2019 feature film “Afterwalker”.
| |
| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS
| |
 |
BERNIE STERN | upm/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.
October’s Spotlight features Bernie Stern, a unit production manager and producer, who chooses to film in Oklahoma because of the diversity of locations and the positive and hard-working local crew.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!
| |
| FEATURED FILM CAREER
Danny Hulsey | unit production manager
"I think [my favorite aspect of working in the Oklahoma film industry] it’s the crew. We truly do have a remarkable crew base that holds up to just about anywhere. It’s also nice to bring the excitement of films to locals that without the rebate just wouldn’t be possible."
| | | |
| | | FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Fred Jones | producer/promoter
"Oklahoma has always had it own brand of music, its own sound and as we move forward as a state hopefully our [Black Wall Street Music] project continues to move people's hearts to promote a better Greenwood, a better Tulsa and a better Oklahoma."
| | |
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications are now OPEN for the *new* Oklahoma film incentives! Film and television projects interested in applying for incentives under the ‘Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021’ may now do so on the Incentives Page of our website.
| |
- "Seven Cemeteries"
- "The Studio"
- "Little Dixie"
Please note that these dates are subject to change pending the production’s compliance with the benchmarks and administrative rules for the rebate programs. For a current listing of films in the rebate queue, please visit the Now Filming section of our website.
| |
THAT'S A WRAP
OF+MO is pleased to announce the completion of two projects in the month of September, all utilizing Oklahoma's film incentives.
- "Killers of the Flower Moon"
- "The Quest for Tom Sawyer’s Gold"
| |
Complete First Season of "Reservation Dogs" Now Available on Hulu
Did you catch Oklahoma Native Sterlin Harjo and the lead cast of "Reservation Dogs" presenting at the Emmy's? Written by Harjo and filmed in Okmulgee, Tulsa and the surrounding area, watch the entire first season of Oklahoma's first scripted television series, "Reservation Dogs", now available exclusively on FX on Hulu!
| |
WATCH: Projects Filmed in Oklahoma Releasing this Month!
| |
| | 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:
Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state’s film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org.
| |
SUPPORT • CONNECT • PROMOTE
| |
|
|
|
|
