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As the first glimpses of the spring season approach, I’m reminded of the beauty of Oklahoma’s stunning locations as seen in this month’s banner image from Rabbit Hollow Ranch in Okemah, just one of many of beautiful landscapes you’ll find in our online Oklahoma Locations Directory. The beauty of the state’s diverse landscapes spread among its 12 distinct eco-regions cannot be denied, nor can the positive impact of the pivotal work Oklahoma’s film, television and music industries contribute to the state’s economic and creative culture. With the recent release of our Oklahoma economic impact commercial produced in collaboration with Tulsa’s Retrospec Films, I’m positively humbled with a deeper appreciation for Oklahoma, its resources and our greatest asset, our people. Our robust talent, skilled workforce, innovative businesses, diverse locations and caring communities truly make Oklahoma a special place for filmmakers and musicians – all of which you will find profiled in this month’s newsletter. Additionally, those eager to dive-in to Oklahoma’s film industry should not miss our announcement of the scholarships we’re currently offering to the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy (OFTA) as the deadline for this approaches before the end of the month.
As our state enters the second month of legislative session, our office continues to monitor and track progress as it relates to our state’s growing film and music industries. If you haven’t downloaded the Oklahoma Legislative Guide for the 58th Legislature app (available in the app store), it’s a great way to stay connected to your legislators who represent the areas where you live or have a business.
We invite you to follow on social media (@okfilmmusic) for the latest Oklahoma film and music industry announcements, and hope to connect with you virtually or in-person soon!
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Click the image to watch the Oklahoma economic impact commercial!
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| OF+MO Reports: Pivotal Work in Film, TV and Music Industry Diversifies State's Economy
As Oklahoma’s film, television and music industries continue to adapt to the present health and safety challenges, OF+MO wants to highlight the pivotal work OF+MO and many others are doing to innovate and diversify the state’s workforce and businesses. While Oklahoma’s film and television industry continues to grow into one of the leading hubs for production in the United States, the local music industry continues to remain resilient in this new environment by producing performances and educational content through digital platforms.
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| PIVOTAL WORK: EARLY ACCESS
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Watch Now! Pivotal Work: Early Access - Episodes One, Two and Three
Click each image to watch the first 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 workshops and 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.
COMING SOON! Stay tuned for the fourth and final video featuring Denver's Seriesfest with their Pitch-a-thon Roadshow, releasing at the end of March! Be sure to subscribe here to our e-blasts and follow us on social media (@okfilmmusic) to find out more information and release dates!
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| JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS
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SXSW
Streaming | March 16-20 (OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky will be on a panel March 16)
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| | OF+MO Offers Film Scholarships to Advance Industry Workforce
OF+MO is proud to partner with the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy (OFTA) to advance the local film and television industry workforce by offering a number of scholarships to the organization’s “Set Ready” foundation course. Valued at $1,200, the next round of “Set Ready” course dates begin April 10, and classes will be held at OFTA’s home base inside Green Pastures Studio located just outside Oklahoma City in Spencer, Oklahoma. Scholarship applications are now open with a deadline of March 29.
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Metro Technology Centers Offers COVID-19 Compliance Officer Safety Protocols Workshop March 10
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 will take place virtually March 10.
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Mercury Lounge in Tulsa to host Mercury Rising Streaming Music Festival
OF+MO is proud to sponsor Mercury Rising Streaming Music Festival presented by Mercury Lounge in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which will take place both virtually and in-person with limited capacity March 11-14, 2021. In celebration of their 16th birthday, Mercury Lounge, in partnership with Grand Casino, Kessler Presents and OF+MO, will present three days of music from nationally recognized headlining artists and regional favorites, including The Red Dirt Rangers, John Fullbright, Carter Sampson, Mike McClure, Casii Stephan, the Paul Benjaman Band and many more.
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OF+MO to Participate in Official SXSW Panel Steaming March 16
OF+MO is proud to be represented by Director Tava Maloy Sofsky who will be a featured guest on the official SXSW panel “How Film Commissions Shape Creative Industry Policy”, presented as part of the Creative Industries Exhibition portion of the conference. Sofsky will appear alongside Stephanie Whallon (Director, Texas Film Commission), Bob Raines (Executive Director, Tennessee Entertainment Commission) and Kevin “KJ” Jennings (President, Association of Film Commissioners International) as they discuss the role state film commissions play in the growth of their local film industries and policy-making, including emergency management response during the COVID-19 pandemic and helping support the livelihoods of the creative communities they represent. This event is part of SXSW’s Panel Picker initiative, which earlier this year invited online audiences to vote to determine the most popular panels to be included in this year’s conference. Open to SXSW passholders only, the “How Film Commissions Shape Creative Industry Police” panel will stream on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 10:15 a.m.
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| | Cherokee Nation Film Office to Host Second OklaHomies Short Film Contest
OF+MO is proud to sponsor the Cherokee Nation Film Office's second OklaHomies Short Film Contest: Still at Home March 12-26. Make a movie from your smartphone. Win prizes and cash! The purpose of this contest is to promote film careers, film skills and provide a much-needed break (and entertainment) while many of us are still home in this unprecedented time. This year, there is an ’80s theme. Prizes will be given in the categories of Short Film, Short Short Film, Indigenous Short Film and K-12 Short Film.
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| BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: How to Prepare
OF+MO continues to monitor and supply up-to-date information on COVID-19 relief resources and programs designed to offer support for the Oklahoma film and music industries. 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. The application window has not yet been released, but applications could open at any point. Venues across the state who would like to apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators grant can prepare for the application process by taking these steps.
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FEATURED BUSINESS
Searchlight Music Group
Searchlight Music Group offers complete Music Consulting Services for any production, be it film, television, advertising, events or gaming. They work directly with the production team to determine their needs and offer any and all of the services below as single services or bundled together to help them find the best music for their project for the best price with the least stress and hassle. Searchlight Music Group is co-founded by Oklahoma Natives Maggie McClure and Chris Freihofer, along with Monique Roy.
"We are very excited to help productions working in Oklahoma find the perfect music for their projects and equally as excited to represent and showcase Oklahoma musicians and their music to productions,” said Maggie McClure, President of Searchlight Music Group.
At the beginning of 2021, Searchlight Music Group launched The Searchlight Sessions, a FREE educational video series featuring interviews with experienced entertainment professionals sharing important information about the music and media industry.
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OF+MO Launches Quarterly Meetings for Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program
OF+MO will virtually host its first quarterly Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program meeting on Wednesday, March 10, at 1:00 p.m. CST. The mission of the Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program is certify communities in all 77 statewide counties in the state, so that everyone who chooses may be represented in Oklahoma’s booming film and television industry and have the necessary toolkit and resources to do so. If you work for a city organization such as a Chamber of Commerce, CVB, Main Street Program, Economic Development Office, etc., and would like to attend on behalf of your community, please contact Outreach and Production Manager Yousef Kazemi at Yousef.Kazemi@TravelOK.com for further questions.
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FEATURED LOCATION
Pollard Inn
The Pollard Inn is a contemporary bed and breakfast steeped in Victorian elegance located in historic downtown Guthrie. The property boasts over a dozen rooms ranging in size, each equipped with their own private bath and unique antique furnishings. Built in 1902, the Pollard Inn was originally home to the Guthrie Savings Bank, and the original vault and evening drop box are on display in the lobby. Additional features include a common dining room and parlor rooms for guests to enjoy. This film-friendly location can be seen in a number of Oklahoma-produced films, including “Monday at 11:01am”, “Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart” and has even served as lodging for top talent and office space for projects filming in the areas, including “Asking For It”.
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| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS
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JEFF MOSELEY | founder/president of fair trade services
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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.
March's Spotlight features Jeff Moseley, Founder and President of Fair Trade Services, a record label in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Oklahoma, Moseley discusses the benefits of being a musician in Oklahoma, connecting its relationship with the Oklahoma film industry.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!
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| FEATURED FILM CAREER
Melissa Caswell | wardrobe assistant
"The film industry here feels like one big family. They’ve just been so warm and welcoming. I’ve also been inspired by them. For so long my dreams of screenwriting and acting felt out of reach for me. Now I’m surrounded by people who are doing exactly what I want to do and I finally feel like I can actually achieve those things too."
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| | | FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Bobby Dean Orcutt | promoter/producer
"Oklahoma is centrally located, perfect for routing tours in and out of, two major crisscrossing interstates, low cost of living, supportive and artistic community and a growing network of industry focused professionals. If Oklahoma isn't a hub for the touring industry in the next five to ten years, I’ll be shocked."
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NOW FILMING
OF+MO is pleased to announce two 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 March
- "American Underdog"
- "Enslaved by Ducks"
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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THAT'S A WRAP
- "God's Not Dead 4"
- "Deadly Donation"
- "Christmas Tree Love"
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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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