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COVID-19 Resources for the Film + Music Workforce
The Oklahoma Film + Music Office is aware of the enormous financial burden to those whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19. We are deeply saddened that it is resulting in loss of work due to venue closures, halts on productions, festival and event cancellations, and travel restrictions. To help support the concerns of the industry during this time, we have expanded our website to include an emergency resource page, which includes economic relief funds, ways to connect with organizations for any questions you may have, virtual training, and support & charities for the film & music industries. New resources will be updated regularly so please check back often and share with anyone you know in these industries.
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Reopening Oklahoma for Film and TV Production
The Oklahoma Film + Music Office believes the highest priority to maintain our state’s film industry amid the COVID-19 Pandemic is the safety of Oklahoma’s filmmakers, crew members, talent, vendors, location owners and cities. As such, and in accordance with the State of Oklahoma’s three-phased approach to safely reopen the economy, known as The Open Up and Recover Safely (OURS) plan, OF+MO has released Considerations for Oklahoma Filmmaking during COVID-19 in a printable PDF along with a newly added Reopening Oklahoma webpage with additional related resources for filmmakers at this time.
Considerations for Oklahoma Filmmaking during COVID-19 is comprised of local resources and general considerations for workplace safety, including a breakdown of considerations by individual film departments. The document’s suggested use should accompany, not supersede, any federal, state, local guidelines or those from any respective film industry guilds, unions, companies or studios.
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| JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS
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| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHT
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BENNETT LEBARRE | executive producer
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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.
June's Spotlight features Bennett LeBarre, Executive Producer on the Oklahoma film "Breaking Them Up". One of the reasons he brought this film to Oklahoma was the diverse locations, and was impressed by the students that came from Oklahoma City Community College to help work as crew during filming.
"Breaking Them Up" will make its world premiere at the 2020 deadCenter Film Festival on Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m., streaming on deadCenter's website. Visit deadCenter.com to purchase your all-access pass today to watch this virtual screening!
Click the image to watch this month's spotlight video!
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The Oklahoma Film + Music Office's "Innovation Insight” series profiles a variety of Oklahoma film and music professionals who have found creative ways to continue their craft or businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue adjusting in these uncharted waters, our creatives around the state continue finding innovative ways to use technology and we agree with their mindset: “The show must go on”.
June's Innovation Insight features Tulsa’s own Circle Cinema, who, despite temporarily ceasing physical operations in March, has committed to retaining its entire full and part-time staff on payroll during this time and through its re-opening scheduled for June 26, 2020. While not currently offering physical film and event presentations until the end of the month, Circle Cinema is providing virtual cinema experiences by partnering with film distributors to bring independent movies and art house theatre to audiences through their website with portions of each ticket rental directly supporting their theatre. Additionally, the theatre has also offered curbside concessions via its “Circle Cinema & Chill Survival Kit”.
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OF+MO Hosts Virtual Film School at 20th Annual deadCenter Film Festival
Celebrating its 20th year, deadCenter Film Festival will be held virtually June 11-21, 2020 in response to the current health and safety regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision has allowed the festival to boast its longest run and largest number of films ever with over 140 films, cast reunions, film classes, panels and special events taking place over the event’s two-week run. Thirty of those films were made in Oklahoma or produced by Oklahomans, including the world premiere of two films, “Birdie” and “Breaking Them Up”, both of which used the Oklahoma film incentive.
During the festival, OF+MO will host the deadCenter’s Filmmaker Distribution Forum and multiple industry panels, as well as the festival branded “OF+MO Film School”, a two-day series of virtual film education courses. “OF+MO Film School” will provide introductory classes on a number of film topics, including virtual auditioning for actors, screenwriting, stop motion and CGI animation, and more. Each hour-long class will feature a live Q+A session during the last fifteen minutes of broadcast. “OF+MO Film School” classes will be free and open to the public who may access them via deadCenter’s Facebook and Vimeo platforms, as well as OF+MO’s Facebook page.
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AMPTP Submits Health Guidelines for Safe Return to Work for Film Industry
The Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee Task Force has released and submitted to state governments in California and New York a 22-page document containing guidelines for consideration and adoption for the resumption of motion picture, television and streaming productions in an environment that minimizes the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. The recommendations outline guidance regarding protective measures to be used, including regular screening, diagnostic testing, use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting work sites, and appropriate response should an employee contract COVID-19 or be exposed to it.
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OF+MO Hosts Pitch-A-Thon with Presenting Partnership at SeriesFest
OF+MO is proud to be a returning partner of SeriesFest, an award-winning annual independent television pilot festival based in Denver, Colorado, which will be held virtually June 18-24, 2020. OF+MO’s partnership with SeriesFest provides the opportunity to promote the State of Oklahoma as a top filming destination as a sponsor and co-host of the festival’s PITCH-A-THON, alongside Working Artists Group. This event allows 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 projects forward. The winner of the PITCH-A-THON will receive a $500 cash prize. In addition to the PITCH-A-THON, OF+MO will also present “COVID-19 and The Altered Entertainment Landscape”, a panel conversation with innovative network leaders on the front lines of the new frontier of entertainment discussing how television is moving forward in response to the current coronavirus outbreak.
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Top Five Action Steps for Arts + Entertainment Industry Workforce During COVID-19
Statewide arts and entertainment organizations are stepping up to make a difference to Oklahoma’s creative industry professionals due to their critical loss during the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying the most impactful top five action steps for the arts + entertainment industry workforce during COVID-19. These statewide leading organizations include the Oklahoma Arts Council, The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), the Red Dirt Relief Fund, Horton Records, The Church Studio, the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, Arts Alliance Tulsa, and OF+MO.
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CLICK THE IMAGE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING UNEMPLOYMENT.
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Have You Taken the Americans for the Arts' Artist Survey?
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is leading a nationwide assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on the nation's arts and entertainment sector. Oklahomans involved in arts + entertainment are urged to respond to AFTA's brief five-minute survey so that local and state funders and policymakers can be fully informed about the sector's status.
The survey is meant to be taken by organizations and artists more than once so that trends can be identified and a clear picture provided of the evolving impact of the crisis. Venues, audio and visual companies, film and media organizations, tour and support services, recording studios, and a wide variety of other creative entities should complete the survey. Conclusions from the survey will affect future funding for the arts, including additional federal stimulus measures.
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New and Updated Projects in the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Queue
OF+MO is pleased to announce five new projects and two projects with new start dates, that have all been pre-qualified to utilize 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. New production dates will be provided as soon as possible by those productions.
New + Updated Projects
- "The Michelle Story" - June 5, 2020
- "Family Camp" – June 8, 2020 (new date)
- "Inage’i In the Woods" - June 8, 2020
- "Centuries Collide" (Series) - July 8, 2020
- "God's Not Dead 4" - August 15, 2020 (new date)
- "American Underdog" - August 31, 2020
- "Model House" - September 14, 2020
Please note that these dates are subject to change pending the production’s compliance with the benchmarks and guidelines of the rebate program. For a current listing of films in the rebate queue, please visit the Filming in Oklahoma page of our website. For a current listing of films in the rebate queue, please visit the Filming in Oklahoma page of our website.
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Behind-the-scenes of Oklahoma film "Infamous".
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| | “Infamous” Available on Virtual Cinema and Video On-Demand June 12
Produced in Oklahoma last summer, “Infamous” will be released by Vertical Entertainment on virtual cinema and video-on-demand (VOD) platforms June 12, 2020. The film stars Bella Thorne (“Midnight Sun”) and Jake Manley (“The Order”) as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, robbing their way across the country and gaining fame and followers as they post their exploits to social media. The film, previously known as “Southland”, used the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program, and shot on-location in central Oklahoma with locations in Guthrie, Oklahoma City, Mustang, Chickasha and Edmond creating over 190 local jobs.
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“Run with the Hunted” Available Theatrically and Video On-Demand June 26
Written and directed by Tulsa’s own John Swab, “Run with the Hunted” will be released in limited theatres as well as video-on-demand (VOD) platforms June 26, 2020. “Run with the Hunted” is the second film from Swab to use the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program and was filmed in Tulsa and the surrounding region in 2018 creating over 90 local jobs. The noir crime thriller stars Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”), Michael Pitt (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”), William Forsythe (“The Rock”) and Mark Boone Jr. (“Sons of Anarchy”) to name a few of the star-studded ensemble. Tulsa’s Circle Cinema will celebrate its re-opening with several screenings of “Run with the Hunted” beginning the end of the month through July, which you can read more about in the "Innovation Insight" section of this month’s newsletter.
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Ron Perlman in the Oklahoma film "Run with the Hunted".
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| JEREMY CHARLES | film
writer/director/producer/cinematographer
“It’s an exciting time to be a creative in Oklahoma. The film community is only beginning to bloom, and there are more opportunities than ever to share our authentic stories with the world. I’ve been around long enough to see how far we’ve come. It’s something to smile about.”
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CAVERN COMPANY | music
indie/alternative
"Time and again, the Oklahoma arts community has shown itself to be one of incredible love and support, with deadCenter Film Festival's acceptance of our latest music video being the most recent example. This community cares, and we're excited to continue working on our debut album right here in OKC, with a Kickstarter launch to come in August." - Joshua Warren, drummer
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| FEATURED OKLAHOMA LOCATION
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HUNT MILL HOLLOW RANCH | stillwell
Secluded in the hardwood and pine covered Ozark Mountains of Eastern Oklahoma resides Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch. The property features 4,300 acres of private, high fenced wilderness abundant with beautiful lakes, streams and ponds as well as dense forests with wildlife, including trophy whitetail deer, elk, buffalo, axis deer, wild boar and wild turkey. The rugged terrain is softened by rich and lush open valleys cut with stone-bottomed creeks throughout and dramatic elevation changes among its wide open spaces. The luxury hunting lodge on-site boasts five-star accommodations, and the ranch recently hosted the filming of The History Channel series “Mountain Men”. Thank you to the owners of Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch for submitting their location to our database as we continue to promote Oklahoma locations statewide.
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.
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| EVENTS AT A GLANCE
A great way to continue to support Oklahoma musicians and filmmakers is to watch local live streaming events. Visit our online Events Calendar to find streaming film and music events in the state.
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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 57th 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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| CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE WHY YOUR NEXT
FILMING PROJECT SHOULD BE IN OKLAHOMA!
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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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