Notis Studios is an independent film company based in Oklahoma City, Okla., that specializes in all facets of film from pre-production to distribution for film and television.
Can you tell us how and why you started your business?
Notis Studios was started in 2019 after Marcus E. Brown approached Dr. Dekoven Riggins after a church fast. Marcus was given direction by God to start a business with Dekoven; similarly, Dekoven was given insight on the business prospect as well. We were not quite sure what the exact business would be, but we knew it would be built around our skill sets. With Marcus’ background in video editing and Dekoven’s in music production, we had a firm foundation to build a production company. In the first few months of starting the company we created commercials and hype videos; however, after the release of our first short film, “HER,” we knew filmmaking was our calling. At that point, we began learning everything we could about filmmaking. We started Notis Studios as an independent film company out of Oklahoma City with a unique style of filmmaking and music production. Our company is made up of four individuals that have brought their talents together to create interesting pieces of entertainment for the masses. They are Dr. Richard Osei, Technology Specialist; Marcus Brown, Chief Editor & Colorist; Levont’e Douglas, Music Coordinator; and Dr. Dekoven Riggins, Sound Designer and Rerecording Mixer. Our goal is to continue to grow in our craft and release features, shorts, micro-shorts and original soundtracks as often as possible, adding to the wealth of diverse films released each year. In doing that, we also plan on providing as many opportunities for other budding filmmakers to grow and learn while becoming trendsetting filmmakers in their own right.
What services do you provide within the film/music industry?
Notis Studios offers a five-acre backlot with a soundstage that boasts over 2,000 square feet of buildable space and a 15×15 cyclorama to accompany two dressing rooms, and a hair & make-up space. We also have a sound design studio touting Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 Surround Sound, ADR Booth, Scoring/Soundtrack capabilities for film and television, as well as an editing room complete with Davinci Resolve Studio and FCPX with full Color Grading/Correction capabilities with the Davinci Resolve Mini Panel & Speed Editor. We also feature a VFX space with a Huion Kavas Pro 24(4K), a Customizable Podcast Space with w/6 Microphones with a projector backdrop, a 20 seat 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Movie Theatre and a fully serviceable recording studio.
How has your company grown to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s film and/or music industries over the last 3-5 years?
We have been in business for four years, but our soundstage has only been open for less than a month, but we have grown each year as the demand for a film industry in the state has increased. Over the years we have gained infrastructure, equipment and knowledge that allows us to create productions from development to distribution. We are presenting ourselves as an exceptional option and central hub for all indie filmmakers, from the seasoned veteran to the budding newbie. We are doing our best to help expand the film market here in Oklahoma and we will continue to do so for years to come.
What are the benefits of basing your company’s operations in Oklahoma?
We are Oklahomans and we want nothing more than to show the world the immense talent and abilities of Oklahoma filmmakers and what Oklahoma as a state has to offer the film world. With the state’s initiatives to bring film here and the film rebate growing, now is a time like no other here in Oklahoma. We at Notis Studios plan to become and stay the leaders of filmmaking and post-production work for the indie filmmaker and beyond.
What would you consider your business’s greatest accomplishment to date?
Notis Studios has been blessed to be very accomplished and has received a great many accolades since our inception, but likely the largest accomplishment was releasing the first and only feature narrative based on the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre “Black Wall Street Burning,” which after a successful theatre run is now available on Amazon and Tubi movies.
Are there any recent successes your company would like to highlight related to work within the Oklahoma film and music industries?
Every single Notis Film emphasizes the beauty and style of Oklahoma and each one of our films are produced, in, by and for Oklahomans. That includes cast, crew and post-production. Some of our films include “HER 1 & 2,” “Reversal,” “Truth Be Told,” “Bonded” and “The Suffering.”
We have been a part of bringing many others into the industry, and we will continue to do so as current educators in the Oklahoma City Public School system, where we teach filmmaking to high school students. This is a success that our company is extremely proud of and with a partnership with the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO) we will inspire more Oklahoma young minds to enter into this great industry.
What are you working on now/next?
We are currently in pre-production on our film “Deep Deuce,” which will be the first and only narrative film about the famed area in Downtown OKC that once housed many musicians on the “Chitlin’ Circuit”
What is your goal/vision for the future of your company?
Our goal here at Notis Studios is to be a beacon and a central hub for the indie filmmaker as well as being a go-to for all phases of filming from development to distribution.
What advice do you have for others who are considering starting a film or music business in Oklahoma?
Be different, be unique; but at all times and in all things, be YOU! We Oklahomans are stepping out of the shadows and planting our flag in the film and music industries like never before. So to anyone considering starting a business in Oklahoma, I say welcome to history.
What opportunities do you believe await Oklahoma’s film/music industry in the future?
We believe that the Oklahoma film community is growing in such a way that the opportunities will be endless, and with the way Oklahomans are Swiss Army Knives in terms of adjustability, we feel there is no opportunity that will be presented that we can’t capitalize on.
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
