OKC Named Among Top 15 'Best Places To Live And Work As A Moviemaker in 2021'

MovieMaker's annual list of "Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker" included Oklahoma City at #15 of the big cities list, outpacing cities such as San Diego, Seattle, Kansas City and Portland. The magazine highlighted not only the state's tax rebate incentive but also the "talent and work ethic" of local crews, according to filmmaker Mickey Reece as quoted in the piece, as well as OKC's "vintage theaters, passionate film societies, and the state’s largest film festival, deadCenter. Additionally, the new Prairie Surf Studios in the Cox Convention Center promises to house the largest clear-span sound stages in the Midwest," the magazine said. The film/TV production industry is becoming big business locally. The sector's economic impact on the state in 2019 was $75 million in direct spending over 39 projects, growing from five projects and $3 million in 2014.

The quality of local crews was echoed by Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. "Our local crews exude a work ethic that is bar none and truly elevate our city’s standards, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication as our state grows," she said in a recent release.

“Oklahoma City’s film industry has been growing so rapidly the last few years we can hardly keep track of all the productions in town at any given time,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt in a recent release. “This recognition as a top U.S. city for filmmakers reflects that. None of this success would be possible without the hard work of our talented local crews, as well as visionary investments that local entrepreneurs are making in production facilities. Our community is innovative and welcoming to the film industry, and I think that word is getting out.”

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