Relocating to OKC, have questions about employment

[OUinLA]

Hopefully I am posting this in the proper place. Anyway, My family and I are moving back to Oklahoma (Norman, where I grew up). Currently I work in the film industry in Los Angeles. I am hoping to continue this same type of work in the Okc. area. I know it won't be Hollywood, but I don't like Hollywood, and that's why we're moving My expertise is in camera/photography. Meaning, I am a camera man and would like to stay working with the camera. However, I have done many different things in this industry and am not against switching areas if it means I can work in the Okc area. As it is now, I will be commuting to LA to work on the various projects and I'd like to not have to commute in the future. Can anyone point me to the production companies in the area? Thanks for your help.

[mranderson]

I would start with the local television stations and apply as a videographer. Then, I would also cruise the local telephone directories for local production companies and ad agencies.

[bitstop]

I don't know much about the business, but you could try Graymark Productions, Oklahoma's only publicly traded independent motion picture and television production company:
graymarkproductions(dot)com

or the Oklahoma Film Institute at OCCC:
okccc(dot)edu/ofi/

There also are film programs at OU and OSU.

[floater]

A good group to get in contact with is the Oklahoma Film Society:

http://www.okfs.org/default2.htm

The business also has a state arm, the Oklahoma Film and Music Office:

http://www.oklahomafilm.org/DesktopDefault.aspx

The film industry is starting to sprout in Oklahoma. You'd be coming in at a good time, when you can be a real pioneer in the film community.

Hope you come! If you have any questions, let us know! And welcome to the board!

[BDP]

You might want to check out the Oklahoma Film amd Music Commision's website, too:

http://oklahomafilm.org

I have some contacts there. I'll ask if there are any good networking resources available.

[Karried]

Welcome home, here are some links you might want to check into:

http://www.oklahomaproductionguide.com/

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.../430d2c0e51082

http://www.afci.org/news/releases_2.htm

http://www.kftv.com/product-state-4410-OK.html

http://www.okfilm.com/

http://www.productionhub.com/directo...&state_id=3189


Also, a shameless plug, if you need some assistance in searching for a home in Norman, I would be happy to assist you... karrie@churchillbrown.com I can easily email you the latest listings if you are interested - thanks and good luck on your move.

[OUinLA]

Wow, thanks guys. That's exactly the kind of thing i'm looking for. I emailed the film comission some time ago, but I never got a response. I'll check and see if the posted links are the same as the one I found. And Karrie, i'll send you an email

My wife and kids are already in Norman. I just had to finish up a couple commercials I was already booked for. I will be leaving by the end of the month and I can't wait. Thanks again for everything.

[mranderson]

Wow, thanks guys. That's exactly the kind of thing i'm looking for. I emailed the film comission some time ago, but I never got a response. I'll check and see if the posted links are the same as the one I found. And Karrie, i'll send you an email

My wife and kids are already in Norman. I just had to finish up a couple commercials I was already booked for. I will be leaving by the end of the month and I can't wait. Thanks again for everything.

This is the kind of kinship we have at OKC Talk. And I feel comfortable in saying on behalf of everyone here, it is our pleasure.

[Pete]

OUinLA is a good man and I'm glad to see he's getting some help from the gang.


LA's loss is OK's gain!

[Karried]

Malibu - when are you coming home ??

Come on, we have a few California transplants now - we'll be taking over soon!

[Keith]

Malibu - when are you coming home ??

Come on, we have a few California transplants now - we'll be taking over soon!

Wow! I am really proud of all of you . The way you have given some very helpful information to OUinLA, just shows that we have a very unique forum with a bunch of great people. A message for all of you........

[OUinLA]

This is a great forum and thanks to all of you. A very big "THANKS" goes out to MalibuSooner who clued me into this site. See ya on saturday Malibu

[Pete]

Karrie, I haven't ruled out a move back in semi-retirement but in many ways I feel like I can do more for OK and OKC living out here and being a good-will ambassador.


I always say that Oklahoma will always be my home even if I never live there again.

[floater]

All these Caleefohnians...it's the Grapes of Wrath in reverse...the circle is now complete :tweeted:

[okcpulse]

LOL Are you kidding me, Karried!? Most of my friends from Edmond Memorial High School and Edmond Santa Fe back in the late 1990s are from California, from San Diego to San Jose.

In any case, OUinLA is coming back to Oklahoma at the right time. Film is taking off very well here in Oklahoma City, and in a few years it will get bigger. Mark my words!

[Karried]

okcpulse, I meant we had a few new CA transplants on this OKCTAlk forum but I really didn't know we had such a large amount of ex CA residents in this state though.

What a small world... I was born and raised in San Jose CA and my kids will go to Santa Fe High School.. I think the schools are outstanding here - the parents are so involved in all activities. Last night at Back to School night in Summit, it was so packed, we were all parking in the field because so many parents showed up.. I love that the parents really care about their children's education.

The other thing is the housing. In CA people have paid over 800K for a home that is going for about 200K here so there are some great postive things about moving here.

[mranderson]

A lot of the "transplants" are decendants of the dust bowl with relatives that were raised here. So, they were taught Oklahoma ways and were told about Oklahoma. Many feel about Oklahoma as I do California. A second home. So, when relocating, it was here. Had it not been for the dust bowl, Oklahoma City would have been Los Angeles.

[okcpulse]

okcpulse, I meant we had a few new CA transplants on this OKCTAlk forum but I really didn't know we had such a large amount of ex CA residents in this state though.

I know, Karried. I was just teasing you =) But yes, it is a small world, and the schools in Edmond are some of the best. Being born and raised in Edmond (the city had 28,000 residents when I was born in 1978 and now there are 75,000), I really have no plans to return. I moved into Oklahoma City five years ago. Been living near Lake Hefner ever since and love it.

BTTS, I wonder how long OUinLA has been gone. If it's been a while, he will come back impressed.

[OUinLA]

BTTS, I wonder how long OUinLA has been gone. If it's been a while, he will come back impressed.

I left Norman in 1995. However, I have been back at least once a year for Christmas, football games, etc. My wife is a true California girl, born and raised in San Diego. Her first trip to Norman and she fell in love with it. She absolutely loves Oklahoma!!! She is there right now with our kids, and is staying with my mom who still lives in the house I grew up in. I can't wait to get back there.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone one more time. Not only has there been great help on this forum but some people have been emailing me and i'm amazed at the enthusiasm of everyone. It's people like all of you that make Oklahoma what it is and the reason why my family feels so fortunate to move back there.

[swake]

http://www.zepperstudios.com/flash_32/index.html


This is not in OKC, it's in Sand Springs, but it is a studio.

[HOT ROD]

Swake, Isnt Sand Springs near Tulsa?

Isnt that a little far from Norman and OKC???

[jbrown84]

Well that would still be a shorter commute than LA.

OUinLA, if you've done commercial work, another thing you should check into is some of the major production companies in OKC, particularly Garman Productions. I know most of their stuff is shot on film, which I'm sure is what you're used to. Also, the film commission has seen a lot of change for the better in recent years. Jill Simpson, and OK native who worked for years as a producer in Hollywood, came back to run it. One thing they've done is create a database of local crew members and what they can do. That way, when major productions like Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown come here to shoot, the can easily find local crew to hire. You need to make sure you get on that. You might also look into OKC Community College's film program--not as a student but see if they need adjunct instructors or something.

[OUinLA]

Thanks jbrown84. That is right up my alley!!! I prefer to do commercials and for the last year and a half that's about all I have done. I will definately look into that. Thanks again.