In fall 2005, simply months after Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to Louisiana, the New Orleans Hornets tipped off the primary of their two NBA seasons in downtown Oklahoma Metropolis.
Within the wake of disaster, tragedy and trauma, the Sooner State’s capital confirmed the world it was a big-league metropolis, organising the court docket for the OKC Thunder to maneuver to city in 2008.
In a lot the identical approach, Oklahomans’ welcoming poise within the face of one other calamity — the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic — has helped the state’s burgeoning movie and tv business rating a number of slam dunks over the previous two years.
“Total, I consider COVID has modified the panorama of Oklahoma’s movie business however for the higher as a result of our individuals and communities united and selected to seek out options throughout such unsure instances,” Oklahoma Movie + Music Workplace Director Tava Maloy Sofsky mentioned in an e-mail.
Advertisement
“From Gov. Kevin Stitt deeming the movement image and recording industries as important industries in June of 2020, together with our state’s borders and companies opening, it was truthfully just like the Land Run for movies pivoting from different states (and) wanting to come back movie in our stunning and pro-business state.”
With Stitt inking a brand new, bigger movie incentive final 12 months, business watchers do not count on to see the frenzy of film and TV tasks to gradual anytime quickly.
Oklahoma turns into first state to renew filming throughout pandemic
In June 2020, producer-director Danny Roth accomplished manufacturing on the function movie “Harvest of the Coronary heart” (later retitled “A Nation Romance”) within the Oklahoma Metropolis metropolitan space. The Michigan moviemaker’s romantic drama was one of many first live-action productions to start out in North America after the pandemic introduced TV and filmmaking to a halt in March 2020.
“We have been the primary state to return to work after the stay-at-home orders, and I believe it simply put Oklahoma on the map for lots of producers and studios that hadn’t actually heard the Oklahoma buzz but,” mentioned Emily O’Banion, a well being security supervisor and the proprietor of Oklahoma Set Medics.
“It created an actual highlight on what may very well be filmed right here.”
In Could 2020, Roth contacted O’Banion and requested if she was all for turning into the “COVID officer” on his first film to movie within the Sooner State. By the point the Display screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Tv and Radio Artists, Administrators Guild of America and Worldwide Alliance of Theatrical Stage Staff had launched their “The Secure Manner Ahead” report that summer time, Roth was on Day 13 of the 16-day shoot on the romantic drama.
Advertisement
“I wrote the protocols for that, simply put what I believed appeared like good concepts. … We obtained the protocols authorized from SAG, and that was the primary function movie that SAG (inexperienced) lit within the post-COVID world,” O’Banion recalled.
“It was a really optimistic factor for Oklahoma movie. With the pandemic, we have had a variety of success in filming beneath the COVID protocols and drawing extra productions right here due to the innovation of getting again to work the quickest. … And I might say the strictest protocol exhibits that I’ve labored on have been in Oklahoma the primary 18 months of COVID.”
Oklahoma achieves film and TV milestones throughout COVID-19
Changing into the primary state to reopen for filming after the coronavirus outbreak was the primary however actually not the final milestone the state’s film and TV business has achieved throughout the pandemic. Since early 2020, the Oklahoma Movie + Music Workplace has hosted a record-breaking 65 movies, offering greater than 11,000 profession alternatives and direct spending by the productions in extra of $170 million, Sofsky mentioned.
In 2021, the groundbreaking immigrant drama “Minari,” which was made in Tulsa, turned a darling of the cinematic awards season, profitable a finest supporting actress Oscar for Korean performer Youn Yuh-jung.
Additionally final 12 months, Martin Scorsese’s eagerly awaited adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon” turned the biggest film to ever movie in Oklahoma, whereas the trailblazing streaming present “Reservation Canine” turned the state’s first scripted tv collection.
The primary mainstream TV present on which each and every author, director and collection common performer is Indigenous, “Reservation Canine” in March gained two Movie Impartial Spirit Awards — for finest new scripted collection and finest ensemble solid in a brand new scripted collection — on the Santa Monica Pier in California after which started filming its anticipated second season in Tulsa and Okmulgee.
Advertisement
“It’s been a whirlwind. My life’s modified and to have the ability to share what we share with this present has been a blessing, and I believe individuals actually wanted one thing that was hopeful and truthful throughout this pandemic,” Sterlin Harjo, the Tulsa-based Native American co-creator and government producer of “Reservation Canine,” instructed press backstage on the awards present.
Filming additionally began in March in OKC and Tulsa on one other high-profile streaming collection: the “Untitled Tulsa Undertaking” starring iconic actor Sylvester Stallone. Anticipated to debut in fall, the deliberate Paramount+ present created by Taylor Sheridan — the mastermind behind the hit exhibits “Yellowstone,” “1883” and “Mayor of Kingstown” — is also referred to as “The Tulsa King.”
State movie enterprise experiences progress behind the scenes
As is typical within the movie enterprise, what’s occurring behind the scenes is as necessary as what’s occurring in entrance of the cameras.
“We’ve been lucky to witness first-hand so many success tales amid the pandemic, because the state’s movie and tv industries developed and expanded (and nonetheless are) to raised serve the wants of this inventive sector,” Sofsky mentioned.
“Whereas COVID has actually introduced many Oklahomans challenges on private {and professional} ranges, the individuals of Oklahoma are born resilient, and our native crew, together with well being and security firms, labs and small companies, collaborated with main Hollywood studios and unbiased producers to seek out methods to rise above and construct a good stronger business by innovating this new frontier.”
Advertisement
Final Could, Stitt signed the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021,” boosting the annual cap on the state’s movie incentive program from $8 million to $30 million.
Plus, the state’s movie rebate is not the one one round as of late: The cities of Bethany and Oklahoma Metropolis, in addition to the Cherokee Nation Movie Workplace, have all launched their very own movie incentive applications prior to now 12 months.
Additionally because the pandemic began: Prairie Surf Studios opened within the former Cox Conference Middle, whereas Inexperienced Pastures Studio is working in a transformed elementary faculty in Spencer. Creative crew coaching applications are popping up throughout the state, and native companies like O’Banion’s are increasing to fulfill the rising business’s wants.
“I began getting calls proper from the get-go: Engaged on ‘Reagan’ morphed into ‘The Unbreakable Boy’ and that then went into ‘American Underdog.’ By ‘American Underdog,’ I used to be simply inundated with producers and studios reaching out, providing, ‘Are you able to do our undertaking, and if you cannot do our undertaking, are you able to seek the advice of?’” O’Banion mentioned.
Her Oklahoma Set Medics now boasts about 45 full-time staff both engaged on tasks or taking a break however nonetheless on her lively roster, up from 30 staff a 12 months in the past.
As with internet hosting the Hornets after Hurricane Katrina, she mentioned Oklahoma’s capability to reply positively to disaster has been a boon to the movie business.
Advertisement
“Even filming in one other state, if you point out Oklahoma, the query is gonna be, ‘Oh, you guys are filming so much. … What occurred over in Oklahoma?’” O’Banion mentioned.
“It is form of loopy that COVID was a catalyst on this increase, however it actually was. … There’s positively nonetheless a buzz. There’s nonetheless a momentum. There’s nonetheless a variety of the locals which have actually come up the previous few years which are working in excessive demand. So, it is a very thrilling time.”
St. Isidore, which aims to serve 1,500 students online within Oklahoma by its fifth year of operation, has the backing of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt as well as former state schools superintendent Ryan Walters. Proponents of the plan say the online school would be a boon for rural Oklahoma students who do not have a Catholic school in their area.
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had in April 2023 voted unanimously to disapprove the school’s application, later in June approving the contract 3-2 after revisions to the application.
Brett Farley, executive director of the Oklahoma Catholic Conference and a board member for the proposed school, told CNA following the first disapproval that the plan’s backers were “not discouraged at all.” He said at the time he believed Oklahoma’s government presents a “favorable environment to negotiate protections for religious liberty” to ensure that the school’s Catholic identity is not threatened by the acceptance of public funds.
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City had pushed for approval of the school after former Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor issued an advisory opinion in late 2022 stating that because of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings, Oklahoma’s provisions banning religious schools from accessing public funds as charters could be unconstitutional. He cautioned that this legal change would not mean that religious schools using public funds “can necessarily operate however they want.” Drummond withdrew his predecessor’s opinion on the matter.
Advertisement
In a dissent to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s majority opinion, Justice Dana Kuehn argued that St. Isidore’s would be a partner of the state, not a government entity, and thus the state denying funds to St. Isidore’s because it is religious would violate the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
“St. Isidore would not be replacing any secular school, only adding to the options available, which is the heart of the Charter Schools Act,” she wrote.
“The state is not required to partner with private entities to provide common education. But if it does, it cannot close the door to an otherwise qualified entity simply because it is sectarian … Contracting with a private entity that has religious affiliations, by itself, does not establish a state religion, nor does it favor one religion over another.”
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.
SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) — An Alabama man accused in a string of killings in Oklahoma and Alabama has pleaded not guilty to two Oklahoma killings.
The pleas were entered on behalf of Stacy Lee Drake, 50, during a Monday court appearance, KHBS-TV reported. He faces two charges of enhanced murder.
Drake has has until Aug. 7 in the Oklahoma case to find a lawyer to represent him, or a public defender will be appointed for him, KHBS reported.
Relatives and friends of the victims packed the courtroom where Drake appeared.
Advertisement
Drake was apprehended Thursday in a wooded area in the Morrilton, Arkansas, area after a search that spanned multiple southern states, Arkansas State Police said.
Drake is accused of homicides and carjackings in Oklahoma, Arkansas State Police said. They said he’s also wanted on other felony warrants from multiple jurisdictions on charges including aggravated robbery, carjacking and murder.
A man and a woman were found dead inside a business near Gans, Oklahoma, near the Arkansas state line, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. Both had injuries consistent with homicide, and the agency said Drake is a person of interest.
In Alabama, Drake is accused of killing Russell Andrews on May 14, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said there is a warrant for Drake on a murder charge. News outlets reported that Andrews, 62, was found dead inside the Alcoholic Anonymous building.
Tuscaloosa authorities said Andrews’ vehicle was stolen when he was killed and hours later was picked up by cameras travelling along an interstate near the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.
OKLAHOMA CITY (CBS) — Alex Caruso has returned to where his pro career began, in Oklahoma City, after being traded by the Bulls to the Thunder for Josh Giddey last week.
Advertisement
Caruso was waived by the Thunder in 2016, and played for the NBA’s G-League’s Oklahoma City Blue. Now, he will join a young Thunder squad after a straight-up exchange between the Thunder and the Bulls.
But the defensive specialist’s time in Chicago won’t be forgotten.
“I loved playing my three years with Billy [Donovan]. He’s a great coach, and me and him had some really good conversations,” Caruso said. “Great memories—I’m not going to lose those relationships even though I’ve left Chicago. You know, I’ve made great relationships over three years with people in eth city, Chicago itself, and obviously, teammates and coaches.”
Caruso, an All-Defense guard who has spent the past three seasons with the Bulls after winning the 2020 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, had been the subject of trade rumors for several years. The Bulls resisted offers built around draft picks throughout his entire time in Chicago.
But in Giddey, the Bulls land a former No. 6 overall pick who was in desperate need of a fresh start.
Advertisement
Caruso is one of the best defensive perimeter players in all of basketball. He is capable of guarding
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24954366/236805_Quest_3_and_Ray_Ban_meta_glasses_BFarsace_0027.jpg)
