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It seems like time is already flying by as we start the year, and as we look towards the forthcoming season of film, television and music production in Oklahoma, I’d like to congratulate Oklahoma City and Tulsa being recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as top places to live and work as a filmmaker. This speaks volumes for our people, small businesses and community leaders, where everyone thrives.
We also wanted to acknowledge our partners at the non-profit Red Dirt Relief Fund for launching a new COVID Crisis grant program to provide necessary support to Oklahoma music professionals who continue to remain resilient.
With legislative session upon us, to commence on February 7, we encourage everyone working in the film and music industries to connect with their area legislators and share your story of how you, your families and your businesses are impacted by these productions. You can visit the Oklahoma Legislature website or the Oklahoma Legislative Guide app is free and super user-friendly.
Several film and television productions are beginning to crew up statewide for spring filming, so we encourage each of you to update your listings in our online directories and check out our jobs page for current and future casting and crews calls.
We continue to wish you, your families and productions a safe and healthy month ahead.
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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!
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| JOIN OF+MO AT THESE EVENTS
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Red Dirt Relief Fund Launches New COVID Crisis Grant Program
Red Dirt Relief Fund is launching a new COVID Crisis grant program to provide up to $500 per household on a first-come, first-served basis to Oklahoma music professionals who have lost $1,000 or more in missed work due to COVID illness or cancellations since December 1, 2021; face immediate housing, food, medical or transportation insecurity; and worked in the music business for the past five years.
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Oklahoma Department of Commerce Accepting Applications for Summer Internship
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) is seeking 2022 summer interns. ODOC is the primary economic development entity in the State with a mission to help create an environment where economic growth can occur. This ten-week summer internship is responsible for increasing awareness of the services offered through the Agency, assisting, planning and executing events, creating summaries of policies being created through the Oklahoma legislature, and completing goals set forth by the Executive Division. The main divisions within the Agency include Business Development, Research, Marketing, Community Development, Main Street, Workforce as well as support teams.
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OF+MO Talks Film Industry and Career Opportunities with Students Across the State
OF+MO had the pleasure of speaking to young students about Oklahoma’s thriving film and television industry at the “It Starts Now” Bryan County 8th Grade Career Discover Day. This annual event invites over 600 eighth-grade students from 11 school districts in Southeastern Oklahoma to attend career presentations to best prepare themselves for continued education and career opportunities after high school. OF+MO enjoyed connecting with this engaging group of students to discuss with them presently available film opportunities as well as future professional industry resources.
Additionally, OF+MO was invited to speak at Bixby High School for a special career event, “All About Film Industry.” OF+MO partnered with the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO) represented by Dylan Brodie who was able to attend this event in-person and provide a direct workforce perspective on Oklahoma’s film and television scene and related opportunities therein.
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OF+MO Talks to Students During the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy's Set-Ready Course
OF+MO was proud to be a featured guest speaker and congratulate the students of the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy (OFTA) on their successful completion of the program’s Set-Ready course. A foundational film & tv training overview, this course is designed to provide practical real-world knowledge of how professional productions operate to prepare students for their first entry level jobs on-set. Known as Slate 14, this group of students marks OFTA’s fourteenth class to have completed the course. OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky was happy to connect with these students and provide more information on career opportunities and other resources available to them as they begin to join Oklahoma’s growing film workforce. OFTA's next round of their Set Ready course will be March 5-6 and March 12-13.
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Current Crew Calls, Career and Internship Opportunities
CREW
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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| BUSINESS + INFRASTRUCTURE
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Cherokee Nation Film Office Announces First-ever Tribal Film Incentive Program
The Cherokee Nation Film Office (CNFO) has announced it will soon offer a groundbreaking film incentive program, becoming the first tribal film office in the U.S. to do so. The Cherokee Nation Film Incentive will provide up to $1 million in annual funding for productions filmed within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county reservation. The tribe’s film program is aimed at creating economic development and growing job opportunities by encouraging the production of film and television projects within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The incentive also offers increased funding for employing Native American citizens, as well as utilizing Native-owned businesses. The Cherokee Nation Film Incentive will be available individually or in conjunction with the state of Oklahoma’s incentive program, but each requires a separate application process. CNFO will begin accepting applications for the tribe’s film incentive on March 1.
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OF+MO Joins Gateway Entertainment for Virtual Film Commissioners Panel During Sundance Film Festival
OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky joined the Gateway Entertainment, alongside additional film offices, for the virtual panel ‘Film Commissioners – Getting Real on How to Make Your Film’ during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Film commissioners from around the country discussed the realities of making a film and the support they can provide to emerging artists. Other panelists included Moderator Elizabeth Bell from Gateway Entertainment; Allison Whitmore from the Montana Film Office; Jennifer Loren from the Cherokee Nation Film Office; and John Daugherty from Film Columbus. Keep an eye on our social media for this panel to become available to the public.
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FEATURED BUSINESS
Rush Fest Music Festival
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rush Fest Music Festival specializes in discovering and showcasing amazing local music, videography, photography and entrepreneurial talent.
"Rush Fest provides a platform for emerging local artists. The attendants of the fest get a chance to enjoy amazing talent that they may not have ever heard of or seen before. Performers have increased their fanbase, followers and streams, which in return helped the monetization of their art."
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| | Oklahoma City and Tulsa Climb the Charts on MovieMaker Magazine's Annual Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker List
Oklahoma’s thriving film and television industry continues to be recognized among the top destinations for production in North America with MovieMaker Magazine ranking both Oklahoma City and Tulsa among its Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker in 2022. The annual list, which considers markets in both the United States and Canada, is divided into two categories, big cities and small cities/towns, with Oklahoma City ranking #13 out of 25 big cities, and Tulsa ranking #5 out of 10 small cities/towns. Both cities have risen two spots from last year’s ranking in 2021.
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City of Seminole Achieves Oklahoma Film Friendly Certification
OF+MO, in conjunction with the City of Seminole, is proud to announce the city has achieved 'film friendly' certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. The City of Seminole is centrally located approximately one hour east of Oklahoma City. Named after the Seminole Nation, the city is home to the Jimmie Austin Municipal Golf Course, the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum and Sportsman Lake, which boasts 15 miles of shorelines, fishing and boat docks, playground and equipment areas, hiking trails and equestrian trails. The oil industry played a starring role in Seminole’s local history as the area was once home to 22 oil fields. With the city’s recent film friendly certification, the City of Seminole looks to welcome a new industry, Oklahoma film and television production, as their community has much to offer.
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FEATURED LOCATION
Not Cho Cheesecake
Not Cho Cheesecake is a quaint little bakery hidden on College Avenue in the film friendly community of Bethany, Oklahoma, founded by 32-year-old Army combat veteran, mother and wife Shoshianna Moore. With over 30 fun flavors, the attention to detail goes beyond the delicious confections as the humble location itself was transformed by Moore with fresh vibrant new wall colors, custom decor and more. The local, black-owned business has faced many struggles since its opening in 2019, including the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and untimely the passing of its owner, Moore, shortly thereafter. However, Moore’s legacy continues to this day as business operations are led by her husband Glen Whitaker.
Not Cho Cheesecake will be featured in an upcoming documentary series, “Black Eats,” made by local filmmaker Apollo Woods in partnership with the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy. The docu-series will have a special premiere screening this Saturday, February 5, at Rodeo Cinema followed by a Q&A.
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| OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC SPOTLIGHTS
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CREATIVE CAREERS OKLAHOMA
Film & Television: Introduction
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| Last year, 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. Throughout this FREE five-part video series, learn about these featured careers: 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.
Click the image to watch Careers in Film & Television: Introduction.
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FEATURED FILM CAREER
Cyearah Hoursey | prop master
"My favorite aspect of working in the Oklahoma film industry is the connections I’ve made with great people. Film people are the best people. While collaborating and working diligently with the crew to create a project, you find you bond very deeply with and gain so much respect, and even love, for each other. I think this is especially true for Oklahoma crew, as we are modest and still growing. Thus, we cross paths on different projects often. It was an unexpected bonus to making movies."
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| | | FEATURED MUSIC CAREER
Ronnie Johnson, a.k.a. Grand National | hip-hop artist/cinematographer/filmmaker
"Benefits of being from Oklahoma and having a career here in the arts is showing kids that look like you that they can do something they believe in and make a living off of it. You don’t have to move to be successful."
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LEARN ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S FILM INCENTIVES
Film and television projects interested in applying for incentives under the ‘Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021’ can learn more information on the Incentives Page of our website.
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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.
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THAT'S A WRAP
OF+MO is pleased to announce the completion of one project in the last month, utilizing Oklahoma's film incentives.
- "The Adventures of Jurassic Pet II"
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WATCH: Projects Filmed in Oklahoma Releasing this Month!
- "American Underdog" is now availalbe to own on digital and will be available on blu-ray & DVD February 22.
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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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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.
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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 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:
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.
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SUPPORT • CONNECT • PROMOTE
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