IN MY CITY: OKLAHOMA CITY
and scout AOC. We divided our state into two
sections, east/west, and searched the entire
state looking for the right house. We heard
about the greatest Sears and Roebuck kit home,
actually in Osage County, just a few miles
north of Pawhuska, south of the Kansas state
line. The house and acreage was perfect for
the movie. The project, director & producers,
and incredible ensemble cast truly made this a
project that I will cherish!
Stevie: DOES OKLAHOMA OFFER ANY INCENTIVES TO
HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS?
AN: Yes, the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate
Program offers a competitive, cash rebate of
35%-37% on qualifying Oklahoma expenditures
to film and television productions filming in the
state. The rebate is extended to eligible film,
television and commercial productions with
intentions to secure national distribution. The
rebate program has been renewed through
2024 for productions with a minimum budget
of $50,000 and in-state spending of $25,000.
The program currently has a $4 million rolling
cap per fiscal year (July 1-June 30) but there
is no per-project cap. Rebate funds are pre-
qualified for eligible applicants on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Productions that do not qualify for the state's
rebate program, can utilize the Point of
Purchase Sales Tax Exemption which exempts
qualified film productions from paying sales
tax on property or services related to film
production. There is no application window, no
minimum budget or expenditure requirement
to take advantage of this incentive. The state's
current sales tax is 4.5%. Local taxes, which vary
from city to city and county to county, average
between 3% and 4%. The Point of Purchase Sales
Tax Exemption cannot be used in conjunction
with the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate
Program.
Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
AN: The four "Cs"—Car, Camera, Computer and
Cellphone! I drive my SUV most places but we
recently purchased a great 10-year-old Ford
truck to hold my location gear for shoot days
(A-frame barricades, cones, signs, etc.) and
to go places I don't want to take my SUV. As to
the electronic gear, I should own stock in Apple
products! I am total Mac, iPad Pro, iPhone … but
my cameras are Canon.
