OTFC & Other News...
Timely items of general interest (which may not necessarily be tied to specific dates or events.) Also be sure to read up on specific EVENTS and check out OPEN CALLS for Cast, Crew, and Submissions.
OTFCer Victor Marquez of Owasso-based 'F/X Man' provides a little show-and-tell of his gory spinal work at the March 2002 OKFilm/IndieFest gig in Tulsa. |
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Posted Feb. 2, 2004:
Oklahoma Film Society assists OK Film & Music Commission with 2004 Official Guide
The Oklahoma Film Society (OKFS) has joined forces with the State of Oklahoma Film and Music Commission in efforts to complete the State's 2004 Oklahoma Film and Video Guide. Efforts are being made by both organizations to notify all interested individuals or businesses involved with or desiring to be involved with the Oklahoma film and video industry to register with the Commission as soon as possible.
Beginning in January, the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission, with volunteer assistance from OKFS and across Oklahoma, began mass mailings to individuals and businesses previously registered. However, information currently on file may not be correct. Volunteers are to be calling, emailing, and writing to those individuals or businesses already listed with the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission to update current listings.
Those wishing to be listed in the State's Oklahoma Film and Video Guide need to contact the Commission's offices as soon as possible to insure a mailing is sent to their location within the next few weeks. The initial February 6 deadline for returning the registration information will be extended through February.
Furthermore, the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission has announced that listings within the State's 2004 Oklahoma Film and Video Guide will be FREE! All parties who have previously paid for listings will begin receiving refund letters from the Commission soon (assuming addresses on file are still correct.)
The State's Oklahoma Film and Video Guide is the 'Yellow Pages' equivalent to production resources available within Oklahoma, including actors, actresses, casting, crew, production businesses, etc. This information is provided to or made available for production needs across Oklahoma and abroad.
For more information you may visit the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission's WEBSITE or contact their offices at:
OKLAHOMA FILM AND MUSIC COMMISSION, 15 N. Robinson, Suite 802, Oklahoma City, OK. 73102.
Posted Oct 1, 2003:
OU's filmmaker/author Horton to conduct 'Bumstead' book signing in Pasadena
VROMAN'S BOOKSTORE in Pasadena, California, will present a book signing party for HENRY BUMSTEAD AND THE WORLD OF HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTION with author ANDREW HORTON, University of Oklahoma Director of Film Studies, at 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 21.
The title subject, production designer Henry Bumstead himself, will also be present!
HENRY BUMSTEAD AND THE WORLD OF HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTION offers students, experts, and simply lovers of cinema an inside look at not only the life work of one of Hollywood's greatest production designers, but also at the whole craft of Hollywood art direction.
Henry Bumstead holds two Oscars for his art direction in THE STING and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He and was nominated for two others: Hitchcock's VERTIGO and Clint Eastwood's THE UNFORGIVEN.
We hear a lot about actors, directors and even writers of films. But here is a book that opens up the world of how a film comes to LOOK the way it looks: art direction and production design. With a career of over 68 years in Hollywood, Bumstead at age 88 is currently at work on a new Clint Eastwood film! This book studies his work at Paramount and Universal and currently at Warner Brothers and how he embraced both the Studio System of building sets in the studio and the more recent trend to "shoot on location," be it the wilds of Canada (THE UNFORGIVEN), Savannah, GA (MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL) or a wintery landscape outside of Prague (SLAUGHTER HOUSE FIVE.)
This study, which is based on extensive interviews with Henry Bumstead and which is richly illustrated with sketches and photos from his films, is one of the first books to seriously examine production design in Hollywood.
ANDREW HORTON is the author of 16 film studies and cultural studies books ranging from WRITING THE CHARACTER CENTERED SCREENPLAY to studies of Russian cinema, of comedy and comic theory (COMEDY/CINEMA/THEORY) and of specific filmmakers (THE FILMS OF THEO ANGELOPOULOS: A CINEMA OF CONTEMPLATION.) He is an award-winning screenwriter who wrote Brad Pitt's first feature film (THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUN) and he is The Jeanne H. Smith Professor of Film and Video Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Vroman's Bookstore is located at 695 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA. Phone is (626) 449-5320. Visit Vroman's on the web.
Posted September 20, 2003:
Former Tulsan Todd Lincoln to re-shoot 'The Fly' for Fox Searchlight
Variety reported on September 5 that Tulsa native Todd Lincoln has been tapped by Fox Searchlight in a deal to remake The Fly. Newcomer Lincoln is set to write the script and direct.
Lincoln's resume consists of commercials, shorts, and music videos since he's been in California the last few years. And, of course, some people in Tulsa media fondly recall some of his local works from the late '90's, just around the time he and fellow filmmaking buddy Jeremy Lamberton established Tulsa Overground Film Festival in 1998. "'Boards Magazine" recently tagged him as one of its top five "Directors to Watch."
According to Variety's Michael Fleming, Lincoln's CAA (Creative Artists Agency) rep began setting up feature meetings for Lincoln as Searchlight execs began eyeing The Fly with zeal, because they had just witnessed their zombie pic 28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle, become a summer sleeper hit. A horror buff with an inventive take on the material and a strong demo reel, Lincoln won the job.
Lincoln reportedly admires the 1958 original and David Cronenberg's 1986 redo, so he admits he's treading on hallowed ground when it comes to sci-fi fans. Of course, he is a fan, so Fleming reports Lincoln swears he won't fall into that fly-trap of regurgitating a well-worn plot. "I'm one of those comic book sci-fi fans who read the remake announcements and groan," he said. "This is certainly inspired by the original but it's a total re-imagining." Pressed for details, Lincoln asked: "Why, in both films, did the fly never fly?"
Should be interesting! Keep an eye on Todd's stuff at www.toddlincoln.com.
Posted July 28, 2003:
Website seeks pictures of Oklahoma filmmakers in action
The recently established Oklahoma Film Society (OKFS) is currently seeking professional still photographs or images that show Oklahoma Film, Theatre and Production professionals or students at work on Film, Theatre or Production events.
OKFS President Bradley Wynn informs us these images will be used on the official OKFS website www.okfs.org (not yet online) to promote and show other professionals and students involved with Film, Theatre and Production, Oklahoma professionals and students "in action."
"Often," says Wynn, "the only images that are shared about Oklahoma Film, Theatre and Production are location photos of landscapes and architecture. The Oklahoma Film Society is striving to show scenes of Oklahoma professionals 'in action' and 'at work.'"
If you would like to share images you may have, please send them to Bradley Wynn, 2400 NW 30; 1120; Oklahoma City, OK 73112, or EMAIL them to Wynn. Either way, include your name, company name, address, phone number, email address and permission to use the images on the OKFS website for the purposes outlined above.
No image shall be reproduced in any other manner or used on the website without express written consent of those who own said images. Credit for each image shall be made available on OKFS' official website and within any other publications, after express permission. All images used with permission by the Oklahoma Film Society will be deemed a donation and no monetary compensation shall be expected.
Bradley Wynn thanks you for taking part in this unique endeavor.
Posted July 23, 2003:
Oklahoma IndieFest 2003 Grand Prize Winner Announced in Tulsa
Mark Oliver Richman of Norman, director of "Behind the Rain," is now the proud owner of a HUGE IndieFest trophy.
[-- Photo © Quarter-to-Three Films] |
Capping off another successful season of competition on July 19, OTFC's 4th Annual Oklahoma IndieFest Grand Finale--promoted this year as the "Homegrown Film Festival"-- yielded its largest audience yet, not to mention the highest turnout of finalists under one roof.
Mark Oliver Richman, president of Norman-based Quarter-to-Three Films (www.qt3films.com) won grand prize with Behind the Rain, a 52-minute documentary detailing the history and development of University of Oklahoma's decades-long struggle to build, maintain, protect, and showcase its priceless collections of natural history artifacts, culled from all over the world. Richman's wife Roberta Pacino produced the project. Richman won the foot-tall OKIndieFest trophy, winner's certificate, and a matching gift for $2500 grip/lighting rentals from Bulldog Production Services, donated by Oklahoma Film Academy. |
Richman narrowly beat out four other finalists to win top honors: Jon Shryock of Yukon (Come Together), Jonathan Payne of Oklahoma City (Jazzman), Davis resident James Bridges (The Mouth of the Lion), and Brett Bower of Midwest City (Star-Crossed.)
Richman attended film school at the College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with distinction and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking. Richman has worked as a producer and director on infomercials, educational programs and documentaries. Longtime OTFC afficionados may recall his earlier documentary The Shiver Shack--a story-laden documentary about Oklahoma outhouses--was a finalist in our first season of OKIndieFest (1999-2000.)
Bower, Bridges, Shryock, and Payne were all on hand for this screening event. Ironically, Richman was the only finalist not in attendance, so his trophy will be shipped to him in early August, after engraving. Grand prize selection was based on scoring provided by OTFC members present, who watched all five films from 4:30PM to 10:15PM.
Thelma Ruth Shaw Alumni Center at University of Tulsa was site of this year's finale competition. Just big enough to hold the capacity audience of 80, Shaw provided a comfortable atmosphere for networking and watching some of Oklahoma's best recent films. Of course, this comfort was helped by the presence of a good bit of snacks & sodas to tide audience members through the dinner hour. Despite the fact that new ceiling tiles hid the overhead sound speakers, most everything rolled smoothly.
As ususal, the diverse crowd of filmmakers and film supporters included Tulsans, Yukonians, OKCers, Normans, Muskogeeans, Midwest City denizens, and others from around the state. In fact, Star-Crossed, which kicked off our evening, had its own fan club of about 40 people there!
In addition to IndieFest finalists, audience enjoyed several of the higher-scoring short honorable mention entries from this IndieFest season. These were screened for fun, rounding out the evening while the finalists' scores were being tallied:
- "Empty Stockings" by Brian Waibel
- "Turtle, the Spacegirl Bot, and Her Rocketships of Secret Agent Superhero Love" by Laura Durler
- "The Bachelor and the Baby" by Doug Solter
- "Long Shot" by Justin Jones and Matthew Edwards
- "The Rescue" by Steve Latham
Door prizes for audience were donated by:
- Dave Simpson, National Newspaper Syndicate cartoonist, donor of several original works,
- Kinetic Playground, donor of a motorcycle T-Shirt,
- Golden Palace Restaurant, donor of a coupon for 2 dinner buffets,
- Brewster Entertainment, Inc., donor of an autographed Brewster T-shirt,
- Army Surplus, donor of a few interesting items.
Additional thanks were offered to:
- Brian Blagowsky of Bulldog Production Services and Oklahoma Film Academy
- Action Audio Video (downtown Tulsa) for provision of A/V equipment
- J.D. Young Company (Tulsa) for provision of video projector
- Peggy Char for coordinating provision of snacks & beverages.
Information concerning 2003-2004 OKIndieFest schedule will be posted soon on our OKIndieFest Page.
Posted June 23, 2003:
Living ArtSpace hosts local TV show, moved to New Time
The Living Arts Show airing Thursday nights at 11:00PM, Cox 71: Living Arts is pleased to announce a better time for its regular 30-minute Thursday night show. Now it airs at 11:00PM on Cox Cable Channel 71, rather than midnight.
On the air since April, The Living Arts Show features Living Arts events and artworks by local artists. The show combines edited segments of Living Arts programs (Myers Gallery, New Music, ArtCore, New Genre, Performance Network, Drumming, and Video Evenings) together with interviews of the artists involved with these amazing programs. So, check us out!
Posted January 28, 2003:
New Oklahoma Filmmaking Scholarship for H.S. Seniors
The Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Film and Video Committee is proud to announce the first ever Linda Jaeger Scholarship for an Oklahoma high school senior who plans on majoring in a film- or video-related field in college. The scholarship will be a $500 award. The student should use the money toward either their schooling (tuition, books, supplies) or production costs for a film or video project.
Linda Jaeger was the founding chairperson of the IAO Film and Video Committee. Her mission was to promote Oklahoma film and video artists, and to provide a venue in which to show their work. With this scholarship we hope to keep her vision alive.
The IAO Film and Video Committee requires the completion of an application plus a 300-500 word essay describing what the student hopes to accomplish through the art of film or video in school or their career. Also required is a 3-12 minute VHS video of the student’s work and 2 reference letters from individuals other than members of family.
Application, essay, reference letters, and the VHS tape can be sent or dropped off at the IAO gallery at 811 N. Broadway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73146.
For more information call the gallery (405)232-6060 or IAO Film/Video Committee chairperson Geoffrey L. Smith (405)447-1362.
The IAO Film/Video Committee will screen all applications, essays, videos, and references, and select a student to receive the financial award. The submission deadline is April 1, 2003. Winner will be announced at the IAO's Young Filmmakers Night in April.
See our LINKS page to link to IAO's website.
Posted November 18, 2002:
Bare Bones Script-2-Screen Tulsa Fest Wrap
A Little Who-Was-Who at Darkwood's First Tulsa Event
They came from Hollywood, Kansas City, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, Los Angeles, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisana and Iowa, descending on Tulsa, Oklahoma to exhibit their work, talent and potential.
Directors, actors, producers and screenwriters joined to the Bare Bones Script-2-Screen Tulsa Fest in the largest gathering of independent filmmakers in Tulsa's history.
The scenic OSU Tulsa Campus and the Downtown Ramada Inn proved the perfect locations for three days that changed the Tulsa media landscape.
During the weekend event (Oct. 25-27) independent film actors, screenwriters, directors, festival directors and producers screened movies, attended workshops, participated in forum discussions, and networked. The festival's opening night was emceed by Darkwood Motion Pictures President and CEO Oscar Ray.
Karen Keith, local TV personality and now the mayor's director of communications, welcomed the attendees to Tulsa and read a proclamation from Mayor Bill La Fortune declaring October 25-27th Bare Bones Script-2-Screen Days.
Academy Award-winning producer Gray Frederickson--whose career spans almost forty years and whose producing credits include Godfather II and III, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, and over thirty other movies--praised the festival and its organizers, forecasting that Oklahoma's film production would eventually rival that of Australia and Canada.
The Tulsa World entertainment writer John Wooley was honored for his work in the industry both as a writer and movie producer (Cafe Purgatory and others.) Singer/songwriter Daniel Kleefeld and vocalists Carl Adams and Rosemary Mackey, along with local comedian James Shelton, wowed the audiences with their impressive abilities.
Kansas City's Brian Cutler, whose full-length movie My One and Only made its Oklahoma premiere, called the Script-2-Screen Fest the "most inviting and educational atmosphere" he had ever seen at a film festival. Brian, a California native who began work in the industry at age two, now owns Kansas City's largest training center for film actors.
Screenwriters Sammy Weygand of Claremore, Pete Sleeper of Edmond, Heid Priddy and Dewey May of Tulsa, presented screenplay readings with the help of local and attending actors. Sammy Weygand's story Color Blind, set in the 1920's about a black farmer who raises a white boy, won best screenplay. The movie is scheduled to start production in 2003.
Stephen Perkins' (native Tulsan, now a Texas resident) movie Stationery Games won the Grand Jury Award, and Jason Todd Ipson's Peeping Tom won Audience Choice Award.
Grand Jury Actor Award went to Peter Hardy of Australia for his role in Chasing Rabbits and Audience Choice Award for Best Actor went to Sanford Kelly of Kansas City for his role in Mechanical Man.
Grand Jury Award for Best Comedy Performance went to Kierran Lee of Kansas City for his role in My One and Only.
Runners-up for Best Movie were The Bearing Wall by Charles Halpern, Cutler's My One and Only, and Rosa Peligrosa by Kathleen Mullin.
Honorable Mentions went to Stalker: The Movie-Party in the Woods by GDragonAF, Blackwood Evil by Richard & Peggy Catt, and Fighter's Story by Peter Zhmutski.
Best Costumed Character Award was won by the Technology of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences for their Wizard of Oz characters and others, with Runner-up by comedian Shelton for his take on the Ace Ventura character.
Posted August 27, 2002:
Oklahoma IndieFest Grand Prize Winner Announced in OKC
Sean Lorton of Broken Arrow, writer and director/producer of "Ghost of the Red Rose," shares a few words with the audience at IAO's warehouse theater after accepting the BIG Oklahoma IndieFest Trophy and certificate July 13, 2002. He had already dressed down to T-shirt and shorts because the A/C was on the fritz!
[-- Photo © 2002 Ava Ridgeway] |
Held for the first time in Oklahoma City's historic Auto Alley district, OTFC's 3rd Annual Oklahoma IndieFest Competition yielded its first grand prize winner from among OTFC's own ranks.
OTFCer Sean Lorton of Broken Arrow-based MidCoast Pictures won grand prize with Ghost of the Red Rose, a 30-minute mystery shot on digital at the campus of University of Tulsa. Lorton won the foot-tall OKIndieFest trophy, certificate, and a matching gift for $2500 grip/lighting rentals from Bulldog Production Services, donated by Oklahoma Film Academy. Lorton beat out four other finalists to win top honors: Suzanne Markwell of Meeker (The Alcoholic), Jonathan Pinkey of Tulsa (Chess Theory), former Norman resident Matt Payne of California (Your Lucky Day), and former Owasso resident Manny Marquez of California (The Dancer.) |
Lorton, Markwell, and Marquez (visiting from L.A.) were all on hand for the event. Grand prize selection was based on scoring provided by OTFC members present.
The newly renovated Packard auto warehouse was site of this year's finale competition. Home to Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Film and Video Committee--whose President Geoffrey L. Smith is an OTFCer--the quaint facility offers an upscale art gallery and "urban" movie house.
With IAO's cash bar and OTFC's "VIP Hospitality Room" hot/cold buffet--not to mention cool gallery art and ecclectic films--patrons enjoyed themselves throughout the evening. The diverse crowd of filmmakers and film supporters included Tulsans, Yukonians, OKCers, Normans, Owassoans, Okmulgeeans, one Californian, and others from around the state.
The only downside we noticed was a distinct lack of air conditioning in the movie house itself. On a hot summer day in Oklahoma, no one failed to notice this snafu. IAO staffers dutifully manned the back bay door to keep as much breeze as possible moving through the house.
In addition to IndieFest finalists, audience enjoyed nine non-juried films as well. These were screened for fun, rounding out the evening while showcasing talents of recent IAO Gallery 'Open Screening' filmmakers:
- The Winner by Houston Spitzler
- The True Story of Osama Bin Laden by Brooke Allen
- Elements by David Mayo
- Back to Misery by Heidi Mau
- Crazy by Sunrise Tippeconnie
- Dancin' Geoffrey by Tommy Austin and Geoffrey Smith
- Short Night Video by Dan Bibbs
- DXM by Jonathan Payne
- The Ichthyologist by Darren Dunn
Door prizes for audience were donated by:
- The Movie Studios at Las Colinas
- Olive Garden Restaurant
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art's Film Program
Additional public thanks were offered to:
- Brian Blagowsky of Bulldog Production Services
- Corey's Audio & Visual for provision of A/V equipment
- Brian Hearn, OKC Museum of Art Film Curator
- Suzanne Owens and the board of IAO Gallery
- Peggy Char for providing the VIP Buffet
Posted May 26, 2002:
OTFC at L.A.'s Show Biz Expo--Thanks to Indie Slate Magazine
BONUS DISTRIBUTION!
Over 300 exhibitors are participating in the 2002 Show Biz Expo confab set for June 1-3 in Los Angeles. They represent a wide variety of key service & equipment suppliers to the entertainment industry -- from Screenplay Systems, Canon, Panasonic & Chapman-Leonard to Pro8mm, American Film Institute, AIVF & Int'l Documentary Assoc -- and this is a great opportunity to interface personally with them. (Steven Soderbergh was spotted on the trade floor last year!)
Indie Slate Magazine editors have informed us they will be there with bonus distribution of the May/June issue (#26). OTFC's second of six print ads is in this issue, steering readers and movie mag browsers to this website where they can read all about the great people and activities of Oklahoma's indie community! Just another fine example of your OTFC membership dues at work for you!
By the way, remember that OTFC members get a 10% discount on Indie Slate Magazine subscriptions!
For more about the magazine, visit Indie Slate's website. Individual mag copies can be purchased at Border's Bookstores in Oklahoma.
Posted April 17, 2002:
Oklahoma-based Indie Film Magazine "Next Tuesday" Available Today!
Tim Shrum, CEO and president of Broken Arrow-based Spinning Spyder Entertainment, has informed us that Issue #2 of indie film magazine Next Tuesday is back from the printers and they are now taking orders!
Next Tuesday is written and printed here in Oklahoma. Each issue is
And to celebrate Issue #2, Next Tuesday is hosting a contest in which
Next Tuesday magazine is always accepting independent films for review, articles, interviews, and essays to be published. Contact Mr. Shrum via EMAIL or write to Spinning Spyder Entertainment, 4920 W. Kenosha Suite 166, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
Posted March 26, 2002:
Oklahoma Territory Film Council Print Ad Premieres in 'Indie Slate'
Ad series to promote OTFC members throughout US Southwest for 1 year
Oklahoma Territory Film Council's first print ad ever appears in Indie Slate Magazine in March, 2002! Indie Slate is the most widely distributed (12,000 or so issues every other month) magazine that focuses entirely on independent filmmaking and media in the US southwest.
Steering Indie Slate readers to OTFC's website with the enticing offer of
And who benefits from this added website exposure?
- Mostly OTFC members with updated Pro Directory listings!
But also anyone or any organization who...
- has an Oklahoma Link on our site
- sponsors a Banner ad in 2002
- submits a News / Event / Open Call item to us
- places items For Sale here
- Well, you get the idea--Everyone benefits!
Indie Slate was selected as a preferred promotional medium by OTFC officers because of its focused and practical content for indie filmmakers and DIY'ers. Not to mention the mag is so chock full of good material that we believe its shelf life will allow our ads to promote OTFC members well beyond this one-year run.
First ad appears in Indie Slate's Winter/Spring 2002 Issue #25, on page 24. You can pick up an issue at any Border's Bookstore or order a subscription at Indie Slate's website.
BTW, OTFC members get 10% off Indie Slate subscription rates! Email Ravi Papineni, OTFC secretary, to find out how! Or read up on this and other MEMBER BENEFITS and join OTFC today so you, too, can take advantage of this new exposure!
Posted January 12, 2002:
Reels of Historic Film Given to Historical Society Archive
[Editor's note: This article was brought to our attention by an astute Ponca City resident. Ned Hockman has been a guest speaker in our OKFilm series.]
Ned Hockman, who filmed historic events for the University of Oklahoma and taught there for nearly four decades, has supervised the gift of 3,845 reels of historic film to the Film Library of the Oklahoma Historical Society Archives. The 1.88 million feet of film includes a wide variety of projects that include the University of Oklahoma, governors, documentaries, sports and other events, said Curator Bill Moore of the Historical Society Film Library. The film will be copied, catalogued and indexed for use by researchers.
This donation is a major step toward our goal of establishing the Film Library as the primary repository of historic film, videos, and equipment in Oklahoma," said Director Bill Welge of the Historical Society Archives. The collection now includes 14,207 reels with 8.5 million feet of film plus cameras and editing equipment."
Hockman is nationally recognized for his pioneering efforts in recording news events on film and in the education of television news photographers and editors, said Historical Society Film Curator Bill Moore. Hockman led an effort for OU Continuing Education to attract the annual Television News Film Workshop of the National Press Photographers Association in 1951.
"That eventually became the Television Video News Workshop," said Hockman. "Last year, the 50th consecutive workshop at OU was co-sponsored by Sony and attracted 513 TV news photographers from all over the world."
Hockman, a native of Carnegie, attended OU before entering the U.S. Army in World War II. He became a military cameraman and shot film in China, India, and Burma, including combat situations and flying in gliders. He returned to complete his bachelor's degree in history after the war and started teaching film classes in the OU Extension Division, which was led by Boyd Gunning and Thurman White. Hockman attended the first Television News Workshop of the National Press Photographers in Orlando, Fla., in 1949. Eastman Kodak and the U.S. Department of Defense were co-sponsors. He went to the second workshop in Tennessee in 1950.
Meanwhile, the Extension Division became the OU Kellogg Center for Continuing Education and then the OU Center for Continuing Education new facilities and with White as dean.
"We had the facilities to host that workshop," Hockman said, "so Dean White asked me to make a pitch for it in Tennessee. We brought it to OU for the workshop's third year, and it has been here every year since then with the name changed to the Television Video News Workshop."
Hockman was called back into military service for the Korean Conflict. He was carrying a heavy film recorder in Korea and heard about the miniaturization of electronic products in Japan. he went to see RCA Japan's Dr. Nobutoshi Kihara, who developed a smaller recorder for him. Hockman later retired from service as a lieutenant colonel.
Returning to OU, Hockman resumed teaching and hosting the annual TV photographers workshop. As the workshop grew, he needed editing machines. he contacted Kihara, who sent him 12 machines. Meanwhile, Hockman also was shooting film of OU football games for the coaches when the Sooners were building a winning tradition under Coach Bud Wilkinson. OU Sports Information Director Harold Keith, who was nationally recognized for his innovations, asked Hockman to make duplicate film of specific plays from the games.
"Keith would give me a list of the plays after a game," Hockman recalled. "I would work all night to pick out the films of those plays and make 100 to 110 duplicates. Keith sent those to TV stations all over the country to help publicize the Sooners and individual players. Then I would give the game film to the coaches by Sunday night."
Former Director Dr. Fayette Copeland of the OU School of Journalism asked Hockman to teach film part time to journalism students. Hockman later became a full professor and then the David Ross Distinguished Professor of Journalism. He retired from the OU faculty in 1986 but maintained an office as David Ross Professor Emeritus.
Dr. David Dary, who became director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication during the 1980s, and a university vice president gave Hockman permission to donate the film to the Historical Society.
"We needed a safe place to keep the film for preservation and make it available to the public," he said. "We found the Historical Society had the best place for preservation and a plan for making duplicate tapes and eventually digital duplicates."
Moore is supervising the task of making all the films and videos in the Historical Society collection available to the public. For more information, contact Moore at (405) 522-6307 or via email at bmoore@ok-history.mus.ok.us.
Posted Feburary 18, 2002:
[REVISED] "Color Blind" Still in Pre-Production for OK Shoot
Project Survives Production Crew Turnover
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Contrary to previous press releases, Dreams Come True! Productions (DCTP) will not be opening a pre-production office in Oklahoma as anticipated for the shoot of feature-length film COLOR BLIND.]
Color Blind Productions announces recent production changes regarding COLOR BLIND. As sometimes happens in feature film projects, production faces change but the project continues forward. California-based indie producer Lindsay McGrail and Dallas-based producer Chad Gundersen are no longer associated with this production. Accordingly, previous queries directed to either of these parties should be disregarded from this point forward. Color Blind Productions wishes Lindsay and Chad the best of success with their future film endeavors.
COLOR BLIND was adapted by Sammy Weygand from his novel "COLOR BLIND (The Color of Love.)" Set in depression era Oklahoma, it’s an emotion packed drama involving a Negro man raising an abandoned white baby that nobody else wants or will care for. The story follows the lives and tribulations these two face as the white baby grows up into young manhood under the loving care of his special guardian.
This feature project will still be shot in Oklahoma. Any person or company who has previously contacted either Lindsay McGrail or Chad Gundersen expressing an interest in the film production, or any person interested in becoming involved with this project, should now contact the Tulsa office of the production company’s entertainment attorney, Joel Hulett, to ensure that your information is on hand for production considerations. You may e-mail Joel or call his office at (918) 749-6335 until further notice.
Exciting production advances are in the works so watch for further announcements in coming weeks.
Posted January 3, 2002:
OK Filmmaker Truman Smith's Popular Book Now in its 2nd Printing
The WRONG STUFF...Again!
New cover of Truman Smith's popular book, with young Smith at the controls. 2nd printing available January 2002 from OU Press.
|
A more recent comparative photo of the Oklahoma author and filmmaker.-- © by Bob Westmoreland |
Author, filmmaker, and Air Force Lt. Col. (ret.) Truman Smith of Ponca City has informed us his popular book of Air Force antics, The Wrong Stuff, is due out again in its second printing on January 6 from Oklahoma University Press.
The premise of Smith's book--which is required reading at the U.S. Air Force Academy--is based solidly on his WWII wartime experiences, but it also applies to filmmaking: It is important to learn from our mistakes, "like the cat that sat on a hot stove."
To order The Wrong Stuff or any other book published by the OU Press, call customer service at 1-800-627-7377 (or 405-325-2000 in the OKC area) and ask for it by title (ISBN 0-8061-3422-4, list price $17.95.) The OU Press website is also searchable by author, title, and subject area. Finally, readers can be put on the OU Press mailing list and request copies of seasonal catalogs online.
Editor's Note: Truman Smith was one of the original members of Oklahoma's first Film Commission under Gov. George Nigh. The producer of award-winning B/W short entitled The Ball, Truman has been working for several years to get his latest feature Red, White, and Black in the can, the trailer for which received an Honorable Mention recognition in OKIndieFest series 2000. He has spoken to OTFC membership gatherings on several occasions throughout the years. See our ABOUT OTFC page to link to additional photos.
Posted October 17, 2001:
Bare Bones Winner 'Laughing Boy' Now Available on VHS
Houston filmmaker Joe Grisaffi's low-budget feature film Laughing Boy, which one the Grand Jury Award for Best Filmmaker in Feature Film (Acting Role) at the 2001 Bare Bones International Film Festival in Muskogee, is now available on VHS home video.
Visit Mr. Grisaffi's website if you would like to PURCHASE A COPY, or you can even order one at Amazon.com.
Posted August 27, 2001:
Free Music Website
[Editor's note: This site emailed us some information which we pass along to you. OTFC is not responsible for its accuracy or validity. But it could be worth your checking out if you need music in post!]
Attention Video Editors and Producers!!
You can DOWNLOAD fresh, new music for your next production at NO CHARGE!!
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Posted August 27, 2001:
Review of Vyvx July 18 Open House in Tulsa
About a dozen video enthusiasts accompanied host Mario Avila, Vyvx producer/director, on his July 18 open house tour of production facilities located in the old train depot next to Williams Tower in downtown Tulsa.
Mario's big push was that Vyvx Production Services is in a position to serve as a one-stop-shop that can handle media design, production, and distribution services on any project---including yours!
Suffice to say that Vyvx has grown into an independent producer of state-of-the-art video, far from its origins as an in-house agency for Williams Companies. Vyvx now handles on-line editing and redistribution for films, commercials, training/sales videos, and promotional projects for national accounts and studios--as well as off-line and non-linear editing, too--utilizing a nationwide digital fiber-optic network when necessary.
For instance, Vyvx handles a steady stream of national television work that needs to be customized and tagged for local markets. This includes the production and/or positioning of voiceovers, logos, 800 numbers, or crawling text specific to a town or region. Once tagged, such projects are distributed by Vyvx to hundreds of individual markets.
Vyvx Production Services offers many video production and management services, including:
- script development
- event coordination
- producer/director services
- single and multi-camera acquisition
- editing (see above)
- audio production
- packaging design
- duplication & distribution
...not to mention graphic design, CD-ROM mastering, DVD authoring, and 35mm slide transfers!
And if you need a nice facility to show your completed project, Vyvx can arrange for a screening at the Williams Telecommunications presentation facility, which is a 100+ seat auditorium that used to be the old Tower Theatre in Tulsa's Downtown Forum. Upgraded to state-of-the-art now, this theatrical space still offers an excellent venue for big screen presentations.
A handy booklet Mario provided to attendees notes that Vyvx Production Services has over 100 years of combined experience serving corporate and commercial customers. And when that new glass tower is finished (in 2002-2003) at 2nd & Cincinnati, all of Vyvx Production Services will be relocated there.
For additional information about Vyvx Production Services' offerings that could benefit your current or next video project, contact Mario at mario.avila@wcg.com.
Posted June 19, 2001:
Western Documentary Wins 2nd Annual OKIndieFest (Saturday June 16)
Amidst strong and varied competition, Michael Paskowsky's It Took Brave Men: Deputy U.S. Marshals of Fort Smith took top prize at Oklahoma Territory Film Council's 2nd Annual OKIndieFest.
Paskowsky, who flew in from Maryland for the June 16 event, was awarded the OKIndieFest trophy (pictured HERE) as well as a $2500 matching gift certificate offered by Oklahoma Film Academy for use with motion picture equipment rentals at Bulldog Production Services in Tulsa.
OKIndieFest, expanded this year to include free afternoon matinees and a filmmakers' dinner reception, drew an enthusiastic crowd of about 70 people from around the state, many of whom attended dinner and stayed all through the evening screenings until a winner was announced around 10:20PM.
Paskowsky, a National Park Service employee based in Maryland, was hired to produce his pic for the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Arkansas. This site is at the old courthouse used by "Hanging" Judge Isaac Parker 100+ years ago. Parker was responsible for hearing judicial cases of outlaws brought in from Indian Territory (today's Oklahoma) by deputy U.S. marshals.
With a $60K budget, Paskowsky worked with Ft. Smith NPS officials and shot the project in and around Dewey, Oklahoma, during 2000. He utilized the talents of various Oklahomans, including reenactors such as Tim Ridgeway, Patric Johnstone, and Farron Kempton of Ghostriders. See our LINKS page for access to Ghostriders website. Paskowsky's movie is currently featured at the remodeled historic site visitor center, where tourists can view it at the press of a button.
Winner was selected by a vote of all OTFC'ers present at OKIndieFest. Votes were cast on a 1-10 scale in seven categories: Originality, Production Value, Editing, Cinematography/Audio, Scripting/story telling, Directing/Acting, and Overall Impression. No final rankings (2nd place, 3rd place, etc.) were provided for other finalist films.
After screenings, all available finalists had the opportunity for audience Q&A while votes were being tallied. In addition to Paskowsky, three other finalists were on hand: Jim Conlon (producer of Scout), Bryan Osborne and Juan Reinoso (executive producer and producer, respectively, of Harbored Thoughts), and Kris Maxwell (producer of Crapisode I: A Boy and His Light Saber.)
Finalist Kara Hearn of Oklahoma City (producer of Saturation) was unavailable as she was traveling abroad.
Be sure to see some PHOTOS from each of the finalist films.
Door prizes were also awarded during the evening, including a Hollywood T-shirt won by a young lady named Katy, a dinner certificate from Kit's Takee-Outee Restaurant (7994 S. Sheridan in Tulsa) won by some lady who forgot to tell us her name, and two complimentary VIP tickets to tour The Movie Studios at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, won by Dewey May of Tulsa.
Matinees shown just for fun earlier in the day included Oklahoma-made features Stark Fear (an award-winner produced by Charles 'Ned' Hockman of Norman in 1961) and BioKill, a.k.a. Subterfuge (produced by Rod Slane and Buz Johnson of Tulsa in 1995.)
Submission guidelines for the 3rd OKIndieFest season will be developed shortly, so please check back to our OKFILM page during the summer.
Posted June 12, 2001:
Results of IAO 4th Annual Open Film and Video Screening
The Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Gallery presented its
The screening is a yearly opportunity for local film and video artists to have their work screened before a large audience and for local movie enthusiasts to see what the local scene is producing.
Organizers reported to OTFC that there was an excellent crowd this year: over 100 people and SRO.
1st place and $100 went to Dan Bibb with his video Short Night Video.
2nd place and $60 went to Rick Walker with his film The Deep End.
3rd place and a whopping $30 went to Tyler Randall with his film Burned.
Inquiries for future IAO screenings in OKC may be directed to Geoffrey Smith at gsmith@ou.edu.
Posted June 1, 2001:
Save $$ at New Affordable Avid Editing Facility in Wichita, KS
OTFC was notified via email that Island View Productions is opening its doors to filmmakers and videomakers, inviting them to head NORTH to their nearby state-of-the-art Wichita facilty.
According to their website www.kansasvideo.com, Island View Productions has state-of-the-art studios and equipment rentals at bargain Midwest prices. Corporations who want to do any project--from commercials to training videos--can save an enormous amount of money and time coming to Wichita instead of sending their crews and talent to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.
Island View Productions has a complete list of talent with Hollywood experience in the commercial television and advertising fields. Whether you need to hire a crew or local talent, you will be amazed by the professionalism and abilities of our local crews. You are welcome to bring in your own staff and talent, too.
Another unique advantage of using Island View's facilities is the overall cost-effectiveness. If you use their in-house facilities, you will not be required to have insurance, as is the case when you rent their equipment and take it off site.
Island View Productions is only a few years old. Originally involved with infomercials, television advertisements and programming, the company soon found it much more economical to purchase broadcast-quality equipment and build multiple sound stages and studios for in-house productions.
And now, with all the resources available, Island View has decided to open its doors to both public and private companies who are tired of traveling to "the big city" for their production needs.
Posted May 14, 2001:
Oklahoma Screenwriter Joins 'ScreenTalk' e-Magazine Staff
Screentalk e-Magazine is honored to welcome [OTFC member] Dr. Andrew Horton to its team of staff writers. Andy has been a big supporter of Screentalk since its launch December 1998.
Don't miss Andy's article GLOBAL COMEDY - "FISH OUT OF WATER"
EVERY TIME! in the July/August 2001 issue.
SCREENTALK MAGAZINE HITS THE NEWSSTANDS!
The May/June issue will be available on newsstands in 50 states in the USA and Canada, US Military Bases, UK, Australia, and Germany.
Subscribe to SCREENTALK magazine TODAY and SAVE 15% OFF the cover price PLUS get a FREE e-book on screenwriting (95 pages/value US $20)! Back issues available at US $8.95 (includes worldwide shipping).
Point your browser to screentalk.org/subscribe.htm to subscribe.
DR. ANDREW HORTON JOINS SCREENTALK MAGAZINE
OTFC member Dr. Horton is the Jeanne Hoffman Smith Professor of Film Studies at the University of Oklahoma and Director of the Film & Video Studies program. He is an award-winning screenwriter and the author of 16 books including Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay (U of California Press, 2000) and Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay (2nd edition, 2000.)
Andy has lived and taught in Greece for over eight years and he and his family consider the island of Kea their second home.
Andy Horton is at work on several new scripts and others in pre-production in Norway, New Zealand, and Greece. He is currently completing his new book Global Screenwriting Today which will appear next year.
Don't miss Andy's article GLOBAL COMEDY - "FISH OUT OF WATER" EVERY TIME! in the July/August 2001 issue of Screentalk.
TELL A FRIEND
If you know a screenwriter who would be interested in receiving Screentalk e-News (e-mail teasers for upcoming Screentalk issues), tell him or her to send a blank e-mail to: newsletter-subscribe@mlm.screentalk.org.
For general questions about Screentalk magazine, e-mail info@screentalk.org.
Posted May 4, 2001:
OTFC Member and Others Awarded at Bare Bones International Film Festival
Wrapping up the Bare Bones International Film Festival in Muskogee, the
Actor/Comedian Larry Sellers (who plays Cloud Dancing on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) kept the audience in stitches.
OTFC member and actress Allena Brackin was honored as a Bare Bones Trailblazer due to her outstanding acting performances in 10 or more independent motion picture productions in the state of Oklahoma. According to Festival Director (and OTFCer) Shiron Ray, "Allena has shown both dedication and tenacity for supporting and promoting this film art and is now pursuing both acting and directing opportunities."
Ray continues, "Allena is indeed a role model for the many young actors and actresses growing in and out of the State of Oklahoma."
Other honorees were: actor/director Wes Studi of Oklahoma (Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo) and Richard E. Norman for the Bare Bones Pioneer Filmmaker Award. Mr. Norman produced such early films as The Buckaroo, Black Gold, and Flying Aces between 1912-1928.
Festival submittors included filmmakers from around the world. Panel of judges awarded Grand Jury Awards to the following:
- Chad Haney and Aaron Higgins of Glenpool, OK,
with Home - Elizabeth Sher of Berkely, CA,
with Younger, Thinner, Smoother - Paul Jay and David Ostriker of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with Lost in Las Vegas
- Michael Frank of Coogee, NSW, Australia,
with Autist - Suzie C. Templeton of London, England,
with Stanley - David W. Stamps of Oklahoma City, OK,
with Party Guest (1:38) - Michael Wolinski of Naperville, IL,
with The After School Special - Juan E. Martinez, Jr. of New York City, NY,
with Rules - Peter A. Brinson of Los Angeles, CA,
with It Did It - Toni Meca of Barcelona, Spain,
with Quiro Morir: I Want To Die - Brazil J. Grisaffi of Houston, TX, with Laughing Boy
- Leslie Ann Coles of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, with In the Refrigerator: Spirit of a Haunted Dancer
Next year's festival is scheduled for April 17-21, 2002. See Shiron's LISTING via our Pro Directory page for more info about 2002.
Posted March 27, 2001:
Norman Filmmaker to Have Two Films Screened in the Big Apple
NORMAN, Oklahoma - Norman's own, Gary Rhodes, is among a select group of independent filmmakers whose work is to be featured in A New York International Independent Film Festival, March 31 through April 7, 2001.
Rhodes, having screened documentaries at star-studded events such as "The Hollywood Film Festival," is no stranger to the festival circuit but the New York event is the first major film festival to feature two of his works simultaneously. In fact, its one of the few times the NYIIF has invited two films of the same filmmaker to show at a single festival.
The first Rhodes film on the schedule a feature-length documentary on the life of Bela Lugosi. Narrated by Robert Clarke and Oklahoma's Rue McClanahan, Lugosi: Hollywood’s Dracula skillfully brings to the screen the seductive yet disturbing life of Hungarian-American actor Bela Lugosi, immortally linked to his role as Dracula in movies of the 1930s.
Known for his documentaries, Rhodes was a bit more daring he made the New York Film Festival’s other pick. Chair, a short, dark comedy, highlights a man’s relationship with a rather unconventional piece of furniture. At prior screenings (including OKIndieFest 2000), the fictional piece has received rave reviews and is leading Rhodes into other fictional projects. [For more on Chair, visit our REVIEW in the Indie2000 Archive.]
At the same time, Rhodes has been at work on a documentary film about the Tin Drum controversy in Oklahoma for some three years.
For those who are unable to make the trip to New York, keep an eye out for Lugosi: Hollywood’s Dracula on video and DVD later this year.
Posted March 12, 2001:
Right to Work or Right to Vote?
[Editor's Note: Longtime OTFC friend and former Oklahoma Film Commission Member Truman Smith sent this unsolicited letter to us. This posting of Mr. Smith's commentary does not constitute an official endorsement on the part of OTFC, its Executive Committee, or its Board, but is provided here only as timely opinion on a subject that impacts OK's filmmaking community.]
PONCA CITY NEWS STORIES:
- 11 Feb. 2001: SKIDS GREASED FOR VOTE ON RIGHT-TO-WORK
- 12 Feb. 2001: RIGHT-TO-WORK ZIPS THROUGH COMMITTEE
- 14 Feb. 2001: RIGHT-TO-WORK POSTPONED IN SENATE
On 5 March, I called Lt. Governor Mary Fallin's office and asked the status of the RIGHT TO WORK law and was told that the bill was scheduled to go to the floor of the Senate to be discussed on the 15th of March. So what's to discuss? What is a Right to Work law?
Doesn't everybody have a right to work?
No, not in the United States (mistakenly known for its Bill of Rights.) Only 21 states have a Right to Work law. Oklahoma does not have a Right to Work law that allows Oklahomans the right to work. A Right to Work law guarantees that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join or not to join, nor to pay dues to a labor union.
The National Right to Work Committee has called attention to the fact that Right to work states enjoy a higher standard of living than do non-Right to Work states. Families in Right to Work states, on average, have greater after-tax income and purchasing power than do those families living in non-Right to Work states.
California, as well as Oklahoma, does not have a Right to Work law. As a result, Hollywood (and Oklahoma) has suffered great financial losses due to run-away film production to other states and countries.
Governor George Nigh recognized the economic potential of film production for Oklahoma 20 years ago and established a film board to bring film production into the state. Governor Keating also saw the potential, as did Lt. Governor Mary Fallin, who is currently chairman of the Oklahoma Film Commission.
Before Hollywood made its first movie, the Miller Brother's 101 Ranch Motion Picture Department, located next to Ponca City, was producing films. Carl Laemmle, founder of the Independent Motion Picture Company of America often came to Ponca City, with Thomas Ince to buy and distribute the 101 Ranch films. Ince and the Millers created Bison 101 to make movies. They purchased 18,000 acres just west of Hollywood. Today the buffalo (bison) on Catalina Island are descendants of the 101 Ranch stock.
In 1912 Laemmle's IMP company merged with Bison 101 and established the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Today it is known as UNIVERSAL. It was out of this company that Irving Thalberg (MGM) and Harrey Cohn (Columbia) came. These were the progenitors of the motion picture industry and Hollywood (not Oklahoma) became the Movie Capitol of the World.
I served on the Oklahoma Film Commission for a dozen years working to bring film production to Oklahoma. The first question usually asked was, "Is Oklahoma a Right to Work State?" When I had to reply that it was not, the quest ended.
I once got a call from a producer friend whom I'd hosted for several days in Ponca City. I had shown him the fantastic locations we have to offer, like the Marland Mansion, and he was impressed. When he called, he was in a meeting about ready to go on a production. He asked, "Truman, is Oklahoma a Right to Work state?" I had to answer "No" and he excused himself because they were in a hurry to start.
Since I didn't understand why we were handicapped by not being a Right to Work State, I made inquiries at the capitol and found that the unions were against it. Why, when it brought revenues into the state? I was told, "Every time the vote comes up the unions contribute over six million dollars to oppose it." Contribute to whom? I attended a legislative committee meeting on the vote for Right to Work in the '80's. The committee voted against letting the vote even going forward. So the Right to Work law for Oklahoma died in committee and Oklahoma remained(s) a non-Right to Work state.
I was not only shocked, but also angered that the lawmakers and the people of Oklahoma were prevented from voting on the Right to Work law, because -------they were PREVENTED A RIGHT TO VOTE!! For what? Their right to bring more revenue into the state!
Another producer friend visiting here regretted that he had not produced any of his films in Oklahoma, because he said, "Most film productions will leave about 50% of their budget on location." He cited leaving $17 million on one location, plus having built a Western town at a cost of $7 million, that the state planned to use as a tourist attraction, which he said, "Could have been left in Oklahoma." He also pointed out that film production is a "clean industry" that requires no capital investment from the location.
If you think about it, I believe you will do something about your Right to Vote for a Right to Work law. Otherwise, don't be surprised if you don't get to vote on this very important matter.
Most sincerely, Truman Smith, Ponca City, OK [March 6 2001]
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