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

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

"On the Road Again". This was the theme of the recent Red Carpet Country annual Tourism Conference, which we had the pleasure of attending, and it also seems to be a fitting metaphor for our office’s engagement over the last month. From visiting communities in-person across the state to connecting with online audiences from across the country, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) continues to drive home the message of Oklahoma’s thriving film and music workforce, infrastructure and community. We’re grateful for the opportunities we’ve had as of late to participate on a number of panels and showcase to audiences what’s going in Oklahoma, particularly with the timing of the opening of the Filmed in Oklahoma Act Rebate Program. 

Speaking of which, be sure to visit the Now Filming section of our website, which is updated as new film and television productions are confirmed to film in Oklahoma in the current fiscal year utilizing the Filmed in Oklahoma Act Rebate Program. With more exciting film and music events along the way, including MetroTech’s Writer’s Room, the annual Americanafest in Nashville and the continued streaming of the highly acclaimed FX on Hulu series “Reservation Dogs” from Sterlin Harjo, our own industry members, community partners and creatives will help further shine a spotlight on the state. We are open and ready for business! 

Whether in-person or online, we look forward to staying connected with you, and invite you to follow us on social media (@okfilmmusic) to see where we are next! See you “on the road again” soon! 
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!

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

Applications Now Open for the Filmed in Oklahoma Act Rebate Program
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 our website.

JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS

EDUCATION + WORKFORCE

Metro Tech Offers Metro Writer's Room September 11
As Oklahoma's film and television workforce expands, Metro Tech is proud to offer quality career training to nurture a skilled foundation of set-ready professionals. In partnership with Prairie Surf Media and the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma, the next training offering is Metro Writer’s Room Saturday, September 11, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for aspiring screenwriters and directors at all levels of experience to come together, share ideas, critique writing assignments and craft their writing skills. This three-hour intensive session is FREE and will explore important stages of screenplay development, with an emphasis on enhancing the story elements valued by directors and producers. The session will be followed by a networking, no-host lunch off site.

Prairie Surf Media and Oklahoma City University Hosts Master Class with Richard Rosser; OF+MO Attends
Prairie Surf Media (PSM) and Oklahoma City University (OCU) presented a two-day Master Class with prolific filmmaker Richard Rosser at OCU last month taking a deep dive into film organization and logistics while exploring the complexities of production management and film scheduling. Thank you to Prairie Surf Media and OCU Film for inviting OF+MO to share information about our office, free film industry resources and the importance of crew to the students of this class!

OF+MO Attends as a Featured Guest Speaker at the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference
OF+MO was proud to be a featured guest speaker at the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference where we spoke with regional city leadership and area tourism attractions about Oklahoma's thriving film, television and music industries, particularly our Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. Many thanks to Carla Burdick, Executive Director of the Red Carpet Country Association, and her team for having us.
Click the image to watch Oklahoma's Growing Film Industry: A Dynamic Partnership with Innovative CareerTech
Watch Now! Oklahoma's Growing Film Industry: A Dynamic Partnership with Innovative CareerTech
OF+MO was proud to be invited by MetroTech to participate in a webinar hosted by the National Council of Local Administrators (NCLA) titled “Oklahoma’s Growing Film Industry: A Dynamic Partnership with Innovative CareerTech”. This webinar focused on successful partnerships between MetroTech and other select organizations, including local film festivals, non-profits, production studios and state agencies that are striving to grow Oklahoma’s film workforce through training programs and additional opportunities. Many thanks to NCLA and MetroTech as well as our fellow panelists for the warm welcome and informative dialogue.
New Demographic Options Offered in Directories
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 listing to update accordingly.
CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR OKLAHOMA CREW + CASTING JOB POSTINGS

BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: $57 Million Awarded to Oklahoma
Applications are now closed for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The Small Business Administration has awarded $9.5 billion nationwide with 99 grants in Oklahoma receiving over $61 million. 
FEATURED BUSINESS
Ares Multimedia Recording Studio
Ares Multimedia Recording Studio, better known as Ares Recording, is an audio facility owned by recording engineer Ricardo Sasaki who specializes in audio for music and advertising with a multicultural background and approach to find uniqueness in every project he takes on.

"What I seek through my recordings is to transform ideas into songs, to immortalize each of my visitors and client's inner voice onto a recording. I seek to pass along my knowledge and empower each artist to achieve their dream." - Ricardo Sasaki, Owner and Recording Engineer at Ares Multimedia Recording Studio

COMMUNITIES + LOCATIONS

City of Duncan Achieves Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Certification
OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Duncan and the Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), is proud to announce the community of Duncan has achieved ‘film friendly’ certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program.

City of Grove Designated Oklahoma's Next Film Friendly Community
OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau (GCTB), is proud to announce the community of Grove has achieved ‘film friendly’ certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program.


City of Nowata Achieves Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Certification

OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Nowata and the Nowata Area Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the community of Nowata has achieved ‘film friendly’ certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program.

Left to right: General Brent Wright, Commerce State and Federal Legislative Liaison; Brent Kisling, Commerce Executive Director; Rep. Fetgatter; Tava Maloy Sofsky, OF+MO Director
Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Film + Music Office Honor Representative Fetgatter
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce alongside OF+MO honored Representative Scott Fetgatter for his work to support and grow Oklahoma’s film industry. General Brent Wright, Commerce State and Federal Legislative Liaison, Brent Kisling, Commerce Executive Director, and Tava Maloy Sofsky, OF+MO Director presented Rep. Fetgatter with a framed copy of SB 608, which created the 'Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021' at the weekly Okmulgee Lions Club meeting.⁠ We were honored to help present this achievement, and are appreciative of the Okmulgee Lions Club for hosting our presentation and discussion about the impact of the state's film and television industry!⁠
FEATURED LOCATION
Foreman Prairie House
As one of the earliest examples of the prairie style architecture made famous by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Foreman Prairie House is referred to by many as the “crown jewel” of Duncan, Oklahoma. The house was built in 1918 by banker and pharmacist W.T. Foreman, one of the community’s most prominent citizens. After the home fell into disrepair in the 1980’s with changing ownership, a group of community members purchased the estate when it was put up for public auction in 2004 and restored the house to its former glory. The Foreman Prairie House is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and currently serves as a museum and event venue complete with 1930’s furnishings, props and décor.
Many thanks to the Duncan Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Foreman Prairie House for listing this property on our database in consideration of future film and television prospects in Oklahoma and the city’s newly certified ‘film friendly’ designation through OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program.
If you are interested in showcasing your community or featuring your location in the Oklahoma Locations Directory, please contact Yousef Kazemi at Yousef.Kazemi@OKCommerce.gov or visit our website for more information.

OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS

JEN TINDAL | film/tv music professional
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.
September's Spotlight features Jen Tindal, a film, television and music professional, who, upon returning home to Oklahoma, saw an exponential growth in the local music industry finding that anyone can have a creative career in the state. A graduate of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), she has flourished in her career from the educational and networking opportunities offered at the music school.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!
FEATURED FILM CAREER
Heather Valenzuela | set/studio teacher
"I have loved every gig I have worked thus far, but working on the set of “Reservation Dogs” was a true honor. I had the privilege of witnessing history in the making. The show is monumental. Sterlin Harjo, the writers, the producers, the directors, the cast and the crew are some of my heroes. Working with them was a dream. Everyone should see this show!"
FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Angelica Pereira | violinist/violin teacher
"Oklahoma is a great state. People are friendly, supportive and encouraging of your endeavor. Having a small circle of musicians in Oklahoma City feels like having a family. It is also a growing city, and the potential for new opportunities is increasing more and more every year."

FILM ACTIVITY

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.  
NOW FILMING
Due to safety and public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, some productions have temporarily modified or suspended their production dates in Oklahoma.

Filming in September
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.
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!

CURRENT OPEN CALLS

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL AND NATIONAL 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:
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
Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
#OKIEFILM • #OKIEMUSIC
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.