The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is pleased to announce the pre-qualification of three nationally broadcast television productions. These independently produced projects, “American Gods” (Starz Network), “American Ninja Warrior” (NBC and Esquire Network) and “Oklahoma City” – working title (Bravo Media), are slated to begin production at various times throughout the upcoming months and will utilize the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program, which is administered by OF+MO.
“After the state legislature’s decision in early 2014 to renew the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program for ten years, OF+MO has the ability to aggressively recruit television productions to the State of Oklahoma,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “Television production companies are looking for states with incentive programs that offer longevity when considering syndication rights for their programs, and we are thankful to our legislature for allowing OF+MO to be in a competitive position among our peers.”
FremantleMedia North America and STARZ are currently in production on the television series “American Gods”, based on the acclaimed novel by Neil Gaiman. The show’s production will soon take center stage in the Sooner State. Oklahoma is one of the series’ filming destinations in the United States. The show is also shooting in Toronto, Canada.
Previously announced, NBC and Esquire Network will bring the filming of the hit summer reality television competition “American Ninja Warrior” (Season 8) to Oklahoma’s State Capitol in early May. Kristen Stabile, Executive Vice President of Productions of A. Smith & Co. Productions, stated “We started this process more than a year ago and with the support and hard work of the Oklahoma City Office of Sports Business, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office and Senator David Holt, we are excited to bring our television show to the state of Oklahoma. We always knew that Oklahoma City would be a perfect fit for our show.”
Notable OKC competitors are Las Vegas finalists Brent Steffensen, Sam Sann, Daniel Gil, and top female competitor Kacy Catanzaro. Local competitors are David King (Lawton, OK), Tim Wood (Porum, OK), Gary Guffey (Claremore, OK), Tom Mortimer (Owasso, OK) and Saul “Flip” White Jr (Tulsa, OK). The series will premiere on NBC on Wednesday, June 1, with a two-hour episode at 7:00 p.m. central time, with encore presentations beginning Thursday, June 2, at 7:00 p.m. central time on Esquire Network. Watch the Oklahoma qualifying episode here! Watch the Oklahoma finals episode here!
Bravo Media recently unveiled six new unscripted series slated for their upcoming program lineup to include “Oklahoma City” – working title, which will film throughout the metro area in the coming months.
“It’s definitely an exciting time for film and television work in Oklahoma,” said Sofsky. “The spotlight and platform these productions will provide for Oklahoma is a dream come true; even more so, when you consider the job opportunities for our local crew and support services and hefty economic impact these productions will bring.”
All of these opportunities were made possible by the State of Oklahoma’s Film Enhancement Rebate Program, which allows the state to attract productions and to work towards the goal of a sustaining film and television industry.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, The Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit www.okfilmmusic.org.