The Oklahoma Film + Music Office introduces an “Innovation Insight” series of profiles, which will highlight a variety of Oklahoma film and music professionals who have found creative ways to continue their craft or businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we adjust in these uncharted waters, our creatives around the state continue finding innovative ways to use technology and we agree with their mindset: “The show must go on.”
The Actor Factory has relocated its in-person training from their base of operations in the City of Norman to the virtual world by offering online sessions for both adults and kids. This movement was originally implemented by The Actor Factory to allow mid-semester courses interrupted by the city’s closure of non-essential businesses to continue while also protecting the community of professional actors and instructors involved. Now, the ability to connect virtually has afforded The Actor Factory the opportunity to keep its doors open while engaging new educators and students both in Oklahoma and across the country.
“COVID-19 is not a situation any of us wanted to be in, and while it has caused great suffering and hardship for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in this country, it has gotten a lot of people to think outside the box to keep the doors open,” said Actor Factory Founder and Director Chris Freihofer. “When this is over, and it will be over at some point, many of these online classes, and more to come, will become a permanent fixture for Actor Factory training. I’m so honored people have jumped on board and enrolled in these classes, many of which are already sold out. We are able to keep doing what we have been doing in Oklahoma for the past 11 years.”
While not every class offered by The Actor Factory is virtually available, most courses have been easy to convert using an online model and include a number of subjects such as sketch comedy, voice over, auditioning for film and television, and a special screenwriting class with instructor Sterlin Harjo (FX’s upcoming “Reservation Dogs”). Classes begin starting as early as April 13 with additional course sessions being added.
For more information and a complete schedule of offered courses, visit theactorfactory.com.
Submit your own stories or nominate another Oklahoma film and/or music professional or business’ innovation, whether they found creative ways to retain employees, bring education or entertainment to new virtual audiences, provide emergency relief or even simply staying in business during these unprecedented times. Oklahomans will come out stronger and better as we rebuild our future. SUBMIT HERE.