A recent Oklahoma Film Friendly Workshop Intensive, sponsored by the Oklahoma City Film and Creative Industries Office, is helping foster the growth of the local film industry. The event was held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha, a certified Film Friendly Community by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO). The designation means Chickasha has been actively participating in programs to help communities prepare for incoming film and television productions. The workshop played a crucial role in furthering this objective. Led by seasoned film location professionals Chris Kucharski (“Reservation Dogs”) and Alison Naifeh (“Stillwater”) of Locations Unlimited, the workshop aimed to equip community and tribal leadership with comprehensive knowledge of the film production process. Jill Simpson, executive director of the Oklahoma City Film and Creative Industries Office, also spoke at the event. “When it comes to film, Oklahoma is a land of opportunity right now,” said Simpson. “There is a significant amount of interest from studios, and that opens a lot of doors for cities and towns across the state. It’s not just Oklahoma City and Tulsa who can benefit. We want all our communities to succeed.” FILM FRIENDLY WORKSHOP INTENSIVE GIVES COMMUNITIES CRASH COURSE ON MOVIEMAKING
The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including pre-production, scouting, filming guidelines, economic impact, media and post-production. Attendees learned about the intricacies of the film, television and music ecosystem in Oklahoma. The event emphasized the significance of local support, highlighting the pivotal role played by local governments in facilitating a smooth collaboration with production teams. Simpson stressed the importance of local support. “Production teams don’t just show up and start shooting. There is a tremendous amount of planning and collaboration that must take place first. Local governments play a big role in that.” The positive impact of Chickasha's film-friendly initiatives was evident last summer when a major studio film chose the city as a shooting location. The city council's approval of street closures for several weeks allowed production crews to recreate scenes, including those depicting the aftermath of a tornado. This experience highlighted the city's commitment to supporting the film and television production industry. The workshop served as a forum for communities to ask questions, network, and glean information from experienced professionals who have direct experience in the film and television production industry. Representatives from Chambers of Commerce in various cities, including Norman, Clinton, El Reno, Pauls Valley, Guthrie, Chickasha, Shawnee and more attended the event. According to Simpson, the Oklahoma City Film and Creative Industries Office is planning to host two Film Friendly workshops in Oklahoma City later this year.
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