New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[Ross MacLochness]

There is a production going on there now. Not sure what it is though

[HOT ROD]

So that means OKC has (at least) 2 movie/film/tv production companies?

[shawnw]

Correct. Prairie Surf and Green Pastures.

[unfundedrick]

There is a production going on there now. Not sure what it is though

A movie under the name of Nefarious is using their facilities but they are having a few issues not related to Prairie Surf Studios.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smal...id=hplocalnews

[Jersey Boss]

I haven't seen anything about this on KFOR. I don't know about the other outlets.

https://ktul.com/news/local/film-cre...-its-third-day

"Some people are a fan of overtime and long hours but our usual, normal day in film production is 12 hours and that's already a very long day," said Taylor. "It becomes dangerous past that point because you get so tired and you lose the sharpness you need to drive home or to pick up your equipment and operate safely."

They're hoping to get a contract with IASTE, a union behind entertainment, but says they Nefarious producers are not coming to the bargaining table.

[unfundedrick]

I haven't seen anything about this on KFOR. I don't know about the other outlets.

https://ktul.com/news/local/film-cre...-its-third-day

"Some people are a fan of overtime and long hours but our usual, normal day in film production is 12 hours and that's already a very long day," said Taylor. "It becomes dangerous past that point because you get so tired and you lose the sharpness you need to drive home or to pick up your equipment and operate safely."

They're hoping to get a contract with IASTE, a union behind entertainment, but says they Nefarious producers are not coming to the bargaining table.

I know for a fact that they are flying people into OKC to help with the production so I assume that is to take the place of people who are on strike.

[catch22]

I know for a fact that they are flying people into OKC to help with the production so I assume that is to take the place of people who are on strike.

Those would be called scabs. People have no shame.

[Roger S]

They're hoping to get a contract with IASTE, a union behind entertainment, but says they Nefarious producers are not coming to the bargaining table.

How nefarious of these producers!

[Jersey Boss]

Those would be called scabs. People have no shame.

Agree 100%. As I recall the fatal shooting on the set of RUST in New Mexico was preceded by the hiring of scabs when the union workers walked over unsafe conditions.

[Pete]

It looks like the local workers are trying to create a union and Prairie Surf is resisting.

I'm sure a big part of the pitch to lure production here is to circumvent the trade unions that are entrenched in California.

[onthestrip]

Those would be called scabs. People have no shame.

Or just people happy to work?

[Jersey Boss]

Or just people happy to work?

There is plenty of work without having to cross a picket line.
They're scabs.

[GoGators]

It looks like the local workers are trying to create a union and Prairie Surf is resisting.

I'm sure a big part of the pitch to lure production here is to circumvent the trade unions that are entrenched in California.

Is the strike against Prairie Surf or the movie Nefarious? I have no idea how the entertainment industry works but if it is Prairie Surf doing this then that's pretty lame. They get gifted a sweetheart deal from the city and then turn around and want to fight fairly paying their employees?

[Pete]

The workers would be paid by the production company (whoever is backing the movie) but Prairie Surf is also very involved in recruiting and training all the workers, as they have been charging for all types of classes.

You can be sure they are against unionization because that is a major selling point in luring productions to OKC and away from the very highly unionized entertainment industry in California.


Fun fact: TMZ (as used by the tabloid website and media company) is an abbreviation for "Thirty Mile Zone" which is used by unions in L.A. for guaranteed per diems, mileage reimbursement and other expenses owed to unionized workers. Thus, TMZ is a very common term in the entertainment world.

And one of the big reasons for all these rules and unionization is because productions are notoriously brutal on their workers, often working through the night and not getting a day off for months at a time.

Even bit actors need a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card because most productions won't even audition actors without one out of fear of reprisal from all the union workers. My flipping dog trainer appeared in the movie "Best in Show" because she had a SAG card due to her work in training screen animals. So, she'd get all kinds of parts just because she held a card.

It's a funny, somewhat incestuous business, but when you are around it, you understand why they have so many rules. The amount of exploitation is unlike anything I have ever seen.

Oh, the stories I could tell... I worked as a management consultant in that biz for years (Paramount, MGM, Disney, others).

[Pete]

American Underdog comes out on Christmas Day.

It's getting very good reviews, currently at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. From reading the reviews, it seems they downplay the faith aspect to appeal to a wider audience.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_underdog

[scottk]

American Underdog comes out on Christmas Day.

It's getting very good reviews, currently at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. From reading the reviews, it seems they downplay the faith aspect to appeal to a wider audience.

The trailer shows Edmond North's stadium (renamed Northern Iowa University) and it appears UCO's stadium is the Green Bay Packers and Rams training camp. Can't tell which OKC Grocery store was used in the movie. Also the arena football segments look to be shot at Norton Arena at the fairgrounds, which is surprising since the Yard Dawgs use to play inside the Cox Center, which is now Prairie Surf's largest sound stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6rn-6lKBJ8

[David]

American Underdog is a Prairie Surf Studios production? Interesting to see what seems like it's going to be a good success so soon off the bat.

[warreng88]

The trailer shows Edmond North's stadium (renamed Northern Iowa University) and it appears UCO's stadium is the Green Bay Packers and Rams training camp. Can't tell which OKC Grocery store was used in the movie. Also the arena football segments look to be shot at Norton Arena at the fairgrounds, which is surprising since the Yard Dawgs use to play inside the Cox Center, which is now Prairie Surf's largest sound stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6rn-6lKBJ8

Eley’s on May was used for the grocery store.

[BridgeBurner]

Heard there was a restaurant scene shot at the Mule in Edmond but I haven't seen the movie so no idea if it made it to the screen.

[Celebrator]

Eley’s on May was used for the grocery store.

Never noticed or been into that store. Has anyone else? I think it is kind of cool that a small, independent, neighborhood grocery like that is still in business. Must be doing something right.

[TheTravellers]

Never noticed or been into that store. Has anyone else? I think it is kind of cool that a small, independent, neighborhood grocery like that is still in business. Must be doing something right.

We used to shop there until they became anti-mask during the pandemic. It's a very basic store, meat's kind of iffy, produce selection sucks, but it has the basic canned/boxed/milk/eggs/bread/chips things.

[Celebrator]

We used to shop there until they became anti-mask during the pandemic. It's a very basic store, meat's kind of iffy, produce selection sucks, but it has the basic canned/boxed/milk/eggs/bread/chips things.

Not a ringing endorsement. Probably fit the bill for the movie in that it looks like many small-town, Midwest grocery stores such as the one Kurt Warner would have worked in before his big break. Really looking forward to seeing this film. I LOVED those Greatest Show on Turf Ram teams and was living in STL at the time--such a fun era for football in that town.

[Dob Hooligan]

Not a ringing endorsement. Probably fit the bill for the movie in that it looks like many small-town, Midwest grocery stores such as the one Kurt Warner would have worked in before his big break. Really looking forward to seeing this film. I LOVED those Greatest Show on Turf Ram teams and was living in STL at the time--such a fun era for football in that town.

I think it is actually a pretty positive review from The Travellers. He is not afraid to highlight the negative of anyplace he goes. And I say that with zero bad intent or Ill will.

[Ryan]

We used to shop there until they became anti-mask during the pandemic. It's a very basic store, meat's kind of iffy, produce selection sucks, but it has the basic canned/boxed/milk/eggs/bread/chips things.

Is that one of those “awe shucks” politely understated state the facts. That place is easily in the top three sketchy OKC establishments. Couldn’t imagine it’s any better since the pandemic began. I can’t begin to state the crackheads I’ve seen stealing bikes and converters in the area.

[Ryan]

I think it is actually a pretty positive review from The Travellers. He is not afraid to highlight the negative of anyplace he goes. And I say that with zero bad intent or Ill will.

I’ll chime in. It’s rough. I’ve spent a lot of time in the core of the city. That area in particular I’m very well versed in. How the place is in business still idk. I didn’t even know the grocery stores were anti mask? But in this place I’m not too surprised. Less masks and more dental caries, catalytic converter thefts Does sound right about that place