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As we’re called to reimagine the possibilities of the present and the future in 2021, I believe Oklahomans are doing just that. From Tulsa’s Circle Cinema bringing the world renowned prestige of the Sundance Film Festival to our own backyard to the Junior Achievement Virtual Job Fair showcasing careers in film and television to over 30,000 Oklahoma students last month, the opportunity and access to consume content within Oklahoma’s film and music industries abounds. Meeting the demand for more content would not be possible without the leadership and innovation of many, and we couldn’t be more proud of our city and community partners, small businesses, filmmakers and talent who are boots-on-the-ground bringing these events, opportunities and productions to life in the Sooner State. One such example we recognize this month is the theatrical and virtual release of the feature film “Minari,” a must-see, heartwarming picture made in Oklahoma that is poised to make a splash heading into this year’s awards season and further highlighting our skilled local talent and stunning locations.
With the new legislative session upon us, we encourage everyone to explore our newly expanded website, which includes our economic impact dashboard, offering a by-the-numbers overview of the positive impact Oklahoma’s film and television industry is having on our state’s economy.
Stay connected with us on social media (@okfilmmusic) for the latest Oklahoma film and music industry updates, and we look forward to sharing what’s next with you soon!
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| PIVOTAL WORK: EARLY ACCESS
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Click the image to watch "Building Hollywood in Oklahoma"!
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Watch Now! Episode Three of OF+MO's New FREE Video Series
Watch episode three of our new Pivotal Work: Early Access FREE video series! “Building Hollywood in Oklahoma” takes a deep dive into production and art design in film and television, highlighting specific trades and skills associated within each department with guest panelists Rebekah Bell (Production Designer/Art Director), Cyearah Hoursey (Prop Master) and Kaitlyn Shelby (Production Designer/Prop Master). This panel is moderated by Sean Lynch (Production Designer/Digital Cinema Instructor, Oklahoma City Community College). Click here to read their bios!
“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.
Intro song credit: "All Is Quiet" by Graham Colton.
Additional videos will be released monthly through March 2021. 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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Mercury Rising Streaming Music Festival
Streaming with Merucy Lounge | Dates & details TBA
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Watch Now! FREE Film Panels and More at 2021 Sundance Film Festival at Tulsa's Circle Cinema
Traditionally held in Park City, Utah, this year's Sundance Film Festival hosted virtual premieres, events, artist talks and cutting-edge XR exhibitions, as well as partnered with independent cinema communities across the U.S. and beyond to safely host in-person events. One location was in our own backyard at Tulsa’s Circle Cinema, who offered FREE film panels and more virtually through its "Beyond Film" series, as well as hosted exclusive limited capacity, socially distanced physical screenings at its location in the Kendall-Whittier district, and at the Admiral Twin Drive-In. OF+MO was proud to sponsor the Sundance Film Festival at Circle Cinema. The FREE "Beyond Film" series is now available to watch via YouTube.
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OF+MO Joins Junior Achievement of Oklahoma’s Inspire Virtual Program to Promote Career Opportunities in Film
Last month, OF+MO joined Junior Achievement (JA), Creative Oklahoma, Jesse James Films and Maverick Arts as well as nearly 30 local industry professionals to highlight careers in the state’s film and television industry to over 30,000 middle and high school students participating in JA’s Inspire Virtual Program. Featured careers include acting, special effects, production accounting, screenwriting, makeup artists, casting, production management, grip, gaffer, costume design, production sound mixing, producing, directing, cinematography, music composition, art development and direction, and vocal work. These films will be available for student exploration through the end of April 2021 via YouTube.
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Current Casting Calls
CASTING
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| BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE
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Click the image to watch the Oklahoma economic impact reel!
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| Watch Now! Oklahoma Film + TV Industry is Thriving!
Across the board, the message is clear - Oklahoma’s burgeoning film and television industry has arrived making its mark as viable, positively impacting communities and creating thousands of jobs and business opportunities with a sizeable economic impact and return to the state.
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Watch Now! Journal Record Webinar to Highlight Oklahoma’s Sound Stage Developments
After successfully participating in several sessions last year, OF+MO was excited to rejoin The Journal Record (JR) for its free weekly online webinar series, JR Now, with a new episode highlighting permanent infrastructure developments within Oklahoma’s film and television industry on January 29. “Sound Stages: Building Oklahoma’s Foundation in Film” demonstrates the necessity of sound stages as critical infrastructure in furthering the growth of Oklahoma’s film and television industry as well as associated careers and educational opportunities within this business sector. This episode features OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky alongside representatives from several newer organizations offering local sound stages, including Matt Payne and Rachel Cannon, co-CEO’s of Prairie Surf Media; Melodie Garneau, President of Green Pastures Studio; and Cassidy Lunnen, CEO and co-owner of Red Clay Studios.
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Photo: NGP Film Workshop at Prairie Surf Studios / Credit: Josh Bivens
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| FEATURED BUSINESS
Prairie Surf Studios
At 1.3 million square feet, Prairie Surf Studios (PSS) is in the heart of Oklahoma City at the Cox Convention Center. Encompassing more than 260k square feet of production space, the facility houses five of the largest clearspan soundstages in the Midwest, mill space, wardrobe and set design space, and an indoor base camp for trucks and trailers. PSS also offers countless amenities and practical locations.
“We are passionate about empowering storytellers while creating jobs that will truly create economic diversity for Oklahoma," said Prairie Surf Studios founders Rachel Cannon and Matt Payne. "The entertainment industry is not just actors and directors. Each production is packed with high-paying jobs that range from construction workers and electricians to accountants and tech. With unemployment at an all-time high, we want to show Oklahomans how their existing skillsets can pivot into this exciting industry.”
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Share Your Location Now!
With the launch of the new direct upload feature to our online Oklahoma Locations Directory, sharing your location with the Oklahoma Film + Music Office has never been easier! Community leaders and individual property owners can further promote their attractions, businesses, restaurants, residences and more for potential film and television production use.
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FEATURED LOCATION
Price Tower
Built by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956, the Price Tower is the pinnacle of modern architecture with its unique concrete and copper design. The building was originally designed by Wright for downtown New York City in 1929, but it was never realized at the time due to the hardships of the Great Depression. As his only fully realized skyscraper, Wright embraced the opportunity to build his tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where it became home to H.C. Price Company pipeline headquarters in 1956. Considered one of the great buildings of the 20th century, this immaculate tower was named a National Historic Landmark in 2007, and earlier this year, was named one of CNN’s most “Famous Buildings in the American South”, one of sixteen sites to receive such honors. The former oil and gas company now functions as the Price Tower Arts Center. Daily tours are available for this property, which is also home to an art gallery, the Inn at Price Tower, a nineteen-room boutique hotel, and the Copper Restaurant + Bar, which offers some of Osage County’s finest dining from Wright Chef Jordan Keen with an unparalleled view of the rolling hills of Osage County from the 15th and 16th floors. This film-friendly location can be seen in Terrence Malick’s “To the Wonder” and has provided accommodations for many of the film and television productions that have based in Bartlesville and the surrounding area.
Images provided by TravelOK/Lori Duckworth.
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| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS
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EMILY O'BANION | health safety supervisor
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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.
February's Spotlight features Emily O'Banion, a local Health Safety Supervisor (HHS) and owner of Oklahoma Set Medics, discussing her role in the film industry and responsibilities to keep all cast and crew safe while working, particularly amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. The need for professionals in the health and safety department has grown exponentially, and Emily encourages those with healthcare backgrounds to consider the career opportunities film can provide. For more information about getting started in film, visit okfilmmusic.org/gettingstarted.
Click the image to watch this month's Spotlight video!
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| FEATURED FILM CAREER
Marq Lewis | health safety manager
"Oklahoma has many beautiful landscape places that are just simply beautiful. When people come to work from other states, they get a chance to see the beauty in person. Many are left in amazement."
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| | | FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Eric Walschap
music professor/private teacher/festival programmer/saxophonist
"The opportunities that can be found [in Oklahoma], the passionate circle of music professionals that look out for each other and collaborate together at the drop of a hat, and the low cost of living all create a perfect balance that means music in Oklahoma will continue to flourish and produce some of the top talent around."
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NOW FILMING
OF+MO is pleased to announce five 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 February
- "God's Not Dead 4"
- "American Underdog"
- "Deadly Donation"
- "Christmas Love Tree"
- "Alien Bible" - Starting February 20
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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Click the image to watch the trailer for "Minari".
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| “Minari” Celebrates Theatrical Release and Debut on A24 Screening Room Platform
Following an impressive award-winning debut at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, A24 will release Oklahoma feature film “Minari” in a limited number of theatres as well as on the brand new A24 Screening Room platform beginning February 12, 2021, followed by a video-on-demand (VOD) release on February 26, 2021. The A24 Screening Room Platform will allow audiences who prefer to watch the film from home the option to do so virtually. Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung and starring Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead”), “Minari” has already earned rave reviews heading into awards season landing a number of recent nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes. The film tells the story of a Korean family chasing the American Dream in rural Arkansas; and despite the film’s scripted setting, the production was actually filmed entirely on-location in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the surrounding region. Utilizing the state’s film incentive program, “Minari” created 174 local jobs and had a direct impact of over $1 million dollars throughout its production. Local audiences can watch “Minari” in Oklahoma City at Rodeo Cinema, The Tower Theater and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art as well as in Tulsa at Circle Cinema, B&B Theatres Starworld 20 and Cinemark 17.
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“Body Brokers” to Release in Theatres, On-Demand and Digital Platforms
Vertical Entertainment will release the Oklahoma feature film “Body Brokers” in theatres as well as digital and on-demand platforms on February 19, 2021. Written and directed by Tulsa native John Swab, “Body Brokers” is one of four films Swab and his producing partner Jeremy Rosen have produced in the Tulsa region utilizing the state’s film incentive. “Body Brokers” was filmed in August 2019 and created nearly 40 local jobs during its production. The film tells the true and untold story of the multibillion-dollar drug and alcohol treatment scheme where former addicts and dealers become millionaires as fly-by-night “body brokers” who recruit other addicts to see treatment and sell these patients to facilities paying the highest price. “Body Brokers” boasts an all-star cast, including Academy Award-winner Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”, “The Big Short”), Emmy nominee Michael K. Williams (“When They See Us”, “The Wire”), Frank Grillo (“The Purge”, “Captain America: Winter Soldier”) and many more! Check local listings for showtimes.
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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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