The spotlight is on Oklahoma at the 2024 Locations Managers Guild International (LMGI) Awards with both state & city film offices and local film professionals being recognized for their valuable contributions to the film and television industry.
First, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC) have been jointly nominated for Outstanding Film Commission in recognition of the work and services provided to “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Produced by Apple Pictures and directed by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is the largest motion picture to be produced in Oklahoma’s film history.
“We are incredibly grateful to the LMGI for this nomination which we’re honored to share with not only our partners at Tulsa FMAC, but with extended gratitude to the Osage Nation, our state and city leaders and the communities of Bartlesville, Pawhuska and Fairfax among many who all played a critical role in hosting the production of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ in Oklahoma,” said OF+MO Director Jeanette Stanton.
“’Killers of the Flower Moon’ was a transformative project for Oklahoma filmmaking,” adds Tulsa FMAC Executive Director Meg Gould. “It was a true statewide effort, and one that would not have succeeded without full collaboration between the Tulsa FMAC and our partners at OF+MO. It’s an honor to be on the shortlist for the LMGI Awards, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our two organizations.”
“Killers of the Flower Moon” had a historic impact throughout the state with a qualified direct spend of more than $127 million in Oklahoma and an additional $72.3 million generated in economic output. Creating more than 470 local career opportunities for crew and an additional 1,200 roles for individuals serving as background talent, the film tells the true story of the serial murder of citizens of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma known as “The Reign of Terror.”
“Both OF+MO and Tulsa FMAC were invaluable allies during the production of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’” said the film’s Location Manager Mike Fantasia. “Their assistance with various federal, state, county and city entities, especially the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, enabled us to realize numerous, ambitious production goals and helped make the beautiful and powerful movie that we did. Anyone going to Oklahoma will be well served by their knowledgeable and helpful staff.”
In addition to nominations surrounding “Killers of the Flower Moon,” local film professionals, including LMGI member Chris Kucharski and Shane Brown, were nominated for their work on the final season of “Reservation Dogs” in the Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Television Series category. Throughout three seasons, the award-winning FX television series from Oklahoma’s own Sterlin Harjo generated $40 million in direct spend in Oklahoma, 1,871 career opportunities and impacted numerous communities, including Okmulgee, Tulsa, Beggs, Catoosa, Muskogee, Claremore and Inola, to name a few.
“’Rez Dogs’ was the best of a lot of great projects that I have been privileged to be a part of. Some are meaningful artistically and others for the friendships and community you find at work, rarely do both of these aspects come together. ‘Rez Dogs’ was both,” said Kucharski, Locations Manager on the series. “There was a culture of hard work, respect and kindness on set that is sadly scarce in this industry. We all knew that we were helping create something special and meaningful to so many people. I am humbled by the hard work of my team, all of the ‘Rez Dogs’ crew and the LMGI for recognizing these efforts.”
Now in its eleventh year, the LMGI Awards honor the outstanding and creative visual contributions by locations professionals in film, television, commercials and film commissions around the globe. The global organization is comprised of career location professionals in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries who are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards as well as supporting strong relationships between production and government agencies, businesses and communities.
Winners for the 2024 LMGI Awards will be announced at a special awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, Cali., on August 24, which will also be available to live stream for free on LMGI’s YouTube Channel.
For more information on the LMGI, visit locationmanagers.org.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state’s film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org.