New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[Bellaboo]

Makes a lot of sense. I sure hope the Thunder have turned the corner by the time they need a new arena. Would hate to end up in a Seattle type situation where the team has lost a lot of support due to so many losing seasons.

It wasn't the losing seasons. Seattle had just completed some renovations to Key Arena, but the problem was the Mariners and Seahawks had just been given major tax money and the people were tired of it.

[Laramie]

It wasn't the losing seasons. Seattle had just completed some renovations to Key Arena, but the problem was the Mariners and Seahawks had just been given major tax money and the people were tired of it.

T-Mobile Park - Capacity - 47,929[, (MLB Seattle Mariners), built in 1997 cost $517 million (former name: Safeco Field) owner, Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.

Lumen Field - Capacity - 68,740, (NFL Seattle Seahawks), built in 2002, cost $430 million (former names: Qwest Field, CenturyLink Field, owner, Washington State Public Stadium Authority.

Does Oklahoma City need to delay building the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium and look at some kind of Trust or Stadium Authority. Tulsa has a Stadium Improvement District (TSID).

[HOT ROD]

I'd say OKC should stay the course, build the Maps 4 stadium since it's approved/voted on, and focus on being a 2 team city for a while, OKC Thunder/NBA (obviously) and OKC Energy/MLS. My hope is that the stadium be built somewhere south of the river near Wheeler or thereabouts; throwing a bone to the southside and giving this attraction to the main audience who will attend.

Hopefully the stadium will be built at 15,000 and could be expanded (to say 30,000) should we land an MLS franchise. The stadium could also host local/college soccer/tournaments and perhaps also HS football. This is perfect for an OKC that's 720,000+/1.5m (say in 2023), two teams that are heavily supported along with OU, OSU, and OCU sports.

Once OKC gets above 2m metro then I think we could start talking about an NFL stadium.

[Laramie]

USL Oklahoma City Energy FC's status is up in the air following next season.

Agree, the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium should begin with a minimum seating capacity of 15,000 which could be expanded to a much larger 30,000 (bonds), with an option to expand near the 65,000 seat range funded thru MAPS 5 in 2028. OKC metro could easily surpass 1.6 million by the next census in 2030.

I don't think you need to wait on a 2 million MSA since you already have a funding mechanism in place. Like the Paycom Center, you build the structure and add amenities . The MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium was proposed to be expanded as needed for soccer, American Football etc... OKC needs to decide on a site plan.

[Zuplar]

Truly feel OKC has crossed that milestone for support. Right now the NBA is the biggest act in town, Covid-19 safety regulations (2020-21 No fans) had a lot to do with the team's drop in fan support and attendance.

Now the fan support is in rebuild mode as well as the team. The franchise will be more competitive come 2022-23 with a ton of future draft picks.

As for a new arena, OKC will invest $104 million in upgrades (new seats, outdoor terrace) for Paycom Center and $11 million in the NBA practice facility.

We'll know more about becoming an even Bigger League City in December of 2027 as MAPS 5 is proposed and renewed.

You really believe the Thunder is the biggest act in town? From what I've heard recently that doesn't seem to be the case at all. I'm pretty big into college football and listen to a lot of sports radio during the season. So I've been slowly stopping listening because all the radio stations around seem to be talking more college basketball, which I'm not a big follower of. The only times I've honestly heard the Thunder mentioned is when they are making fun of how bad they lost. I used to talk a decent amount of Thunder to the other sports fans in my life, and I've noticed we really haven't talked about the Thunder since Westbrook left. So I guess what I'm saying is I hope you are right and they do still have a lot of following, cause from what I've been seeing and hearing lately is telling me that no one cares about the Thunder anymore...and I don't want that to be the case.

[Urbanized]

Man, this is all WAY off topic. Sorry, I guess I started it by mentioning an eventual need for a new arena might be in the calculations for disposition of the former Myriad/Cox Center.

[David]

BTW, I recently heard Matt Payne speak on the progress they are making at Prairie Surf (Matt is one of the co-founders) and over the last year or so, they have been trying to build the workforce needed for TV and film production.

I mentioned this when it was announced because of my experience having worked on the lot at Paramount for several years and doing management consulting for other studios: you need much more than a place to film (which Prairie Surf now provides) you need all the people to do the work. Typically, a TV series employs around 250 people for 6-9 months out of a season/year. You have production management (scheduling, planning, budgeting, accounting), grips for handling all the equipment, cameramen, art department (sets, wardrobe, etc.), lighting (cinematographer and all the lighting techs), and then a purchasing department who has to procure everything that is needed. This is just for production; post-production (editing, sound, music clearance, etc.) is a whole other set of jobs and can be (but not always is) performed in a location independent of production.

It didn't take Prairie Surf long to realize Oklahoma didn't have the people and skills to perform these jobs and other than the higher-level positions and most of the cast, a production company is not going to pay to bring in people from out of state and house them; especially for TV. I know they made a run at a bunch of TV shows without much success.

And that's why PS is spending so much time trying to train people and partner with local community colleges and vo-techs.

They have also spent a lot of time lobbying for incentives and a new bill was signed last year that is very aggressive.

Having said all this, the sound stages (which Prairie Surf is) don't really hire many people; the individual production companies do that and before they decide to film somewhere, they have to know they will be able to staff all the required jobs.


A year later, good progress has been made. With these key pieces in place, we should have a decent shot at landing more shows and films.

Do you have any details of what that bill from last year will provide? Tax credits, or maybe something more involved like the Georgia Film Office?

[Pete]

Do you have any details of what that bill from last year will provide? Tax credits, or maybe something more involved like the Georgia Film Office?

It's not tax credits, it's a straight-up 20-38% rebate.

You can see the details here:

https://www.ep.com/production-incentives/us/oklahoma/

[David]

It's not tax credits, it's a straight-up 20-38% rebate.

You can see the details here:

https://www.ep.com/production-incentives/us/oklahoma/

Those are some nice incentives, though of course I know nothing about how they rank up to offerings in other states.

[Urbanized]

From what I understand (hearsay only) we currently have among the best incentives in the country. There has been real public effort in recent years to lean into this industry.

[Pete]

Those are some nice incentives, though of course I know nothing about how they rank up to offerings in other states.

What Oklahoma is offering is very aggressive after the new bill was passed last year.

On that same site I linked, you can see what other states offer.

[theanvil]

You really believe the Thunder is the biggest act in town? From what I've heard recently that doesn't seem to be the case at all. I'm pretty big into college football and listen to a lot of sports radio during the season. So I've been slowly stopping listening because all the radio stations around seem to be talking more college basketball, which I'm not a big follower of. The only times I've honestly heard the Thunder mentioned is when they are making fun of how bad they lost. I used to talk a decent amount of Thunder to the other sports fans in my life, and I've noticed we really haven't talked about the Thunder since Westbrook left. So I guess what I'm saying is I hope you are right and they do still have a lot of following, cause from what I've been seeing and hearing lately is telling me that no one cares about the Thunder anymore...and I don't want that to be the case.

The Thunder are doing just fine. Nearly every NBA team is suffering from lower attendance because of Covid. Even the Brooklyn Nets, a team with KD, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, have sold $10 seats this season to get people in the door. When Covid is less of an issue, wins will fill Paycom up. The Thunder rebuild is coming along faster than a lot of people expected. Lots of future salary cap room to play with, and just a couple of draft picks or trades away from being right back in the thick of it. Get your tickets now.

[Laramie]

You really believe the Thunder is the biggest act in town? From what I've heard recently that doesn't seem to be the case at all. I'm pretty big into college football and listen to a lot of sports radio during the season. So I've been slowly stopping listening because all the radio stations around seem to be talking more college basketball, which I'm not a big follower of. The only times I've honestly heard the Thunder mentioned is when they are making fun of how bad they lost. I used to talk a decent amount of Thunder to the other sports fans in my life, and I've noticed we really haven't talked about the Thunder since Westbrook left. So I guess what I'm saying is I hope you are right and they do still have a lot of following, cause from what I've been seeing and hearing lately is telling me that no one cares about the Thunder anymore...and I don't want that to be the case.

In town from my scope of reference was literally meaning corporate OKC limits.

We are all proud to include the University of Oklahoma, Norman as part of the Oklahoma City MSA community. College Football continues to be king in Central Oklahoma as well as our state.

[unfundedrick]

From what I understand (hearsay only) we currently have among the best incentives in the country. There has been real public effort in recent years to lean into this industry.

It was just a few years ago that Oklahoma reduced their film incentive program, so thoughts on that have obviously changed at the capitol.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal...-programs.aspx

"In fiscal year (FY) 2018, Colorado, Maryland and Texas reduced the annual appropriation available for film incentive programs. Oklahoma reduced its annual program cap from $5 million to $4 million."

[Urbanized]

It was just a few years ago that Oklahoma reduced their film incentive program, so thoughts on that have obviously changed at the capitol.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal...-programs.aspx

"In fiscal year (FY) 2018, Colorado, Maryland and Texas reduced the annual appropriation available for film incentive programs. Oklahoma reduced its annual program cap from $5 million to $4 million."

That was under the previous administration and legislature, whose overarching main theme was austerity. In 2019 the legislature restored some of what was taken away, and then in 2021 the "Filmed in Oklahoma Act" happened:

https://www.okcommerce.gov/oklahoma-...tv-incentives/
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/ente...ws/5180302001/
https://okfilmmusic.org/incentives/

There is plenty to take issue with regarding the current legislature and administration, but they have definitely gotten a few things right, including a renewed focus on the tourism industry AND a recognition that certain incentives such as ones targeting the film industry can have ROI in the multiples. This isn't intended to be political in any way, but I personally credit the Lt. Governor for much of this.

[onthestrip]

It was just a few years ago that Oklahoma reduced their film incentive program, so thoughts on that have obviously changed at the capitol.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal...-programs.aspx

"In fiscal year (FY) 2018, Colorado, Maryland and Texas reduced the annual appropriation available for film incentive programs. Oklahoma reduced its annual program cap from $5 million to $4 million."

That was under the previous administration and legislature, whose overarching main theme was austerity. In 2019 the legislature restored some of what was taken away, and then in 2021 the "Filmed in Oklahoma Act" happened:

https://www.okcommerce.gov/oklahoma-...tv-incentives/
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/ente...ws/5180302001/
https://okfilmmusic.org/incentives/

There is plenty to take issue with regarding the current legislature and administration, but they have definitely gotten a few things right, including a renewed focus on the tourism industry AND a recognition that certain incentives such as ones targeting the film industry can have ROI in the multiples. This isn't intended to be political in any way, but I personally credit the Lt. Governor for much of this.

Yes for a few years it was labeled as a giveaway to Hollywood liberals. OCPA criticized that Harvey Weinstein benefitted from our state rebates, so it just had to be shut down. Then we saw what was happening in New Mexico and everything changed. Funny how politics can be like that.

[Urbanized]

A few years ago Oklahoma commissioned a study on most if not all of the state-funded incentive programs, and the analysis showed that both film industry incentives and historic preservation incentives consistently showed ROI in the multiples. As in I think one of them showed a $7 return for every dollar spent. It will take some time for film to be a major economic driver, but this is definitely one of the paths to diversifying the local and state economies.

[Pete]

Most states really up the incentives for productions that film in rural areas.

The reason being is almost all those areas are economically depressed and production pumps in tons of needed revenue for all types of businesses: hotels, restaurants, and various stores.

And then, because the shows usually feature beautiful rural settings, tourism often follows. This was very much the case for Yellowstone (first in Utah, they moved to Montana for better incentives) and is sure to happen for 6666, the Yellowstone spin-off that will be filmed on the massive 6666 Ranch in Texas, about midway between Lubbock and Witchita Falls.

As usual, there is a corollary Simpsons episode:

[warreng88]

A friend of mine who lives in LA is a dancer and actor and is married to an actress. They bought a house in LA four years ago for around $600,000, they are selling it for $1.2MM and moving to OKC, specifically because of Prairie surf and what they are bringing in to OKC. With the sale of their property, they will buy a house in NW OKC for cash and get three times the square footage. They have talked to a few of their actor friends in LA and it seems like others are looking to do the same.

[Laramie]

Always good news to hear.

[barrettd]

A friend of mine who lives in LA is a dancer and actor and is married to an actress. They bought a house in LA four years ago for around $600,000, they are selling it for $1.2MM and moving to OKC, specifically because of Prairie surf and what they are bringing in to OKC. With the sale of their property, they will buy a house in NW OKC for cash and get three times the square footage. They have talked to a few of their actor friends in LA and it seems like others are looking to do the same.

Were they from OKC originally? Just curious if it's bringing people home, or bringing new people in.

My ex and I lived in California for about ten years while she worked at becoming an actress. Tough racket to say the least. We moved home and she worked constantly.

[warreng88]

Were they from OKC originally? Just curious if it's bringing people home, or bringing new people in.

My ex and I lived in California for about ten years while she worked at becoming an actress. Tough racket to say the least. We moved home and she worked constantly.

They both were originally from Houston. He moved to OKC for school and the to LA for work where he met her. They are moving back mostly because of the job opportunities and cost of living.

[HOT ROD]

very good to hear and also that they've convinced others about OKC. Should help solve the relative lack of skill in the sector while hopefully the OKC area schools can get going with classes and programs.

[barrettd]

very good to hear and also that they've convinced others about OKC. Should help solve the relative lack of skill in the sector while hopefully the OKC area schools can get going with classes and programs.

Classes and programs for all the various trades and skilled labor that will be on set, and hopefully not a glut of acting workshop/classes/reviews that are, more or less, scams. I'm sure the theatre community would love to have more skilled tech in the area, as well.

[HOT ROD]

^ yes, that. lol