Prairie Surf Creative

02/17/2025

Prairie Surf Creative is proud to support Oklahoma’s next generation of storytellers! Huge thanks to deadCenter Education & Rose State College for having Matt Payne as a mentor in this incredible workshop. Programs like this are shaping the future of Oklahoma’s creative industry, and we can’t wait to see where these talented writers take their stories! 🎬✨

📷 Repost from : The first weekend of the deadCenter Education and Rose State Film Studies and Digital Media Screenwriting Workshop is in the books! We are so pleased to have these talented Oklahoma voices setting the stage for the future of filmmaking in the state!

Professor Marcus Mallard and deadCenter's Victor Caballero kicked the workshop off with some basic screenwriting know-how, followed by breakout sessions with mentors Matt Payne, Kyle Kauwika Harris, and Chris Hoyt.

Also, a big thanks goes out to the Oklahoma Film + Music Office for supplying some film swag for the participants!

We can't wait to see what stories take shape over the next few weekends.

rosestate rsclibarts_sciences deadcentereducation deadcenterfilm ctrl.n.studios mouldyrogue victordcaballero mattpaynetravelphotography choyt1964 kylekauwikaharris

02/09/2025

🎬 $484M and Counting: Staggering New Economic Impact Figures

On Friday, a coalition of state, city, and tribal film leaders gathered at the OKC Innovation District to unveil some exciting news: Between 2021 and 2023, the Filmed in Oklahoma Act generated over $484 million in direct economic impact.

This isn’t just about movies—it’s about jobs, small businesses, and the long-term economic future of Oklahoma.

Prairie Surf proudly stands alongside these leaders as they work to ensure that Oklahoma stays competitive in this exciting industry. Thanks to Rep. Brian Hill HD47, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Jill Simpson with OKC Film and Creative Industries, Meg Gould with Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, Jen Loren Cherokee Film Commission, and Jeanette Stanton Oklahoma Film + Music Office for their leadership, vision, and hard work in driving this growth for Oklahomans.

The momentum is real, but we must keep pushing to secure Oklahoma’s place as a national film production hub. Now is the time to support industry growth, attract more projects, and ensure more Oklahomans benefit from high-paying creative jobs.

📢 Want to help? Stay engaged, share this post, and make your voice heard - because

02/04/2025

🎬 The Future is Film: Be Part of the Conversation

Oklahoma’s film industry is booming—creating jobs, driving economic growth, and gaining national recognition. Decades of strong leadership, smart policy, and a united creative community have built this momentum, and 2025 presents a pivotal opportunity to propel it forward.

This Friday, February 7th, a coalition of city, state, and tribal film commission leaders will gather for the Oklahoma Film 2025 Legislative Preview to unveil new economic impact data and discuss key legislative goals that will shape the future of our industry.

Prairie Surf continues to support these leaders in their work to expand opportunities for Oklahoma’s creative workforce.

The Future is Film, Oklahoma— and now is the time to build on this momentum.

Join us in attending and being part of the conversation!

📆 Friday, February 7th
🕐 2-4 PM
📍 OKC Innovation District Hall (316 NE 9th St.)

🔹 Limited Seating Available – RSVP Now: https://www.okfilmmusic.org/rsvp-form

01/29/2025

As Oklahoma’s premier film festival, deadCenter has spent over 25 years championing local filmmakers, supporting year-round education, and putting our state on the cinematic map. We hope you'll join Prairie Surf in supporting deadCenter Film this Friday as the games begin at GlitterBall: Quarter Quell.

GlitterBall isn’t just OKC’s most epic annual party—it’s the key to keeping deadCenter’s national impact growing and its educational programs accessible to the next generation of Oklahoma filmmakers.

🏹 When: Friday, January 31
🏹 Where: Oklahoma History Center
🏹 Why: A Capitol-worthy night that fuels the future of Oklahoma film

🎟️ Tickets are still available—will you volunteer as tribute?

Oklahoma’s film industry thrives when we show up for it. Let’s make this a night to remember! See you at GlitterBall! ✨🎥

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/614ff27a-b788-47b4-b45d-af8d5de9ce12

12/25/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from Prairie Surf! 🎁

Collaborating with incredible organizations, artists, and storytellers across Oklahoma and beyond has been the greatest gift of 2024.

This holiday season, we’re filled with gratitude for our partners, clients, team, and supporters. Your creativity and collaboration inspire everything we do.

Wishing you a joyful and meaningful holiday season—and here’s to an exciting 2025 for Oklahoma’s thriving creative community! 🎥✨

12/16/2024

Earlier this month, "The Accelerator" returned to its roots with a private screening at Fermilab, hosted by Executive Producer David Raubach in celebration of subject Dr. Robert Wilson's extraordinary legacy.

A Prairie Surf Creative project, "The Accelerator" tells the story of Dr. Wilson’s journey—from his work on the Manhattan Project to his pioneering development of proton therapy, a revolutionary cancer treatment. Founded under Wilson’s leadership, Fermilab is a historic institution in particle physics, pioneering discoveries that have shaped modern science.

Directed by Wendy Garrett, with music by Steven Drozd and editing by Christopher Hunt of 1577 Productions, the film highlights the profound impact of Wilson’s vision. We’re honored to have collaborated with such a talented team to share this story, and to screen it in a facility where his work continues to inspire innovation.

Learn more: theacceleratorfilm.com

12/07/2024

The Prairie Surf team is deeply saddened to learn of Steve Mensch’s passing. Steve Mensch was president of Tyler Perry Studios, a steadfast advocate for the film industry, and a valued advisor to our team. Steve graciously hosted the OKC Chamber at Tyler Perry Studios this past October and welcomed Prairie Surf to Atlanta several times, always sharing his insight, expertise, and generosity.

As our CEO, Matt Payne, shared: “Steve Mensch has been a champion of all things Prairie Surf and Oklahoma film. We are heartbroken to learn of his passing. We will be forever grateful for his counsel, expertise, and huge heart. His family and the whole Georgia film community are in our thoughts.”

Steve’s kindness and belief in the potential of Oklahoma’s creative industry made a lasting impression on us all. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and the Georgia film community during this difficult time.

Steve Mensch, President and Manager of General Operations for Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a plane crash Friday night.

12/03/2024

🎥 There was a great write-up in The Oklahoman this weekend about the celebration surrounding the official start of the Jewel Theater’s historic revitalization! We've shared about this incredible project before, which is breathing new life into the last remaining Black-owned structure from OKC’s pre-desegregation era.

Prairie Surf is proud to play a small part in honoring its rich legacy in northeast OKC and Deep Deuce history. Our documentary aims to amplify the voices of community leaders working diligently to restore this iconic building to its rightful stature. From its origins in 1931 to the vision of revitalization today, this project is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of our city.

✨ Let’s keep celebrating the stories that shape OKC.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/local/2024/12/01/jewel-theater-northeast-okc-historic-black-business-preservation/76478068007/

11/29/2024

Last week, Prairie Surf’s own Clarissa Cozzoni had the honor of guest lecturing at UCO’s “Directing Short Film” class. Starting her journey with Prairie Surf as part of our apprenticeship program, Clarissa has grown into an award-winning writer and director, and we’re so proud to see her inspiring the next generation of Oklahoma creatives.

We’re grateful to UCO for inviting her to share her experience and insights. Mentoring young talent is essential to building a thriving film industry in our state, and we can’t wait to see the incredible stories these students will create! 🎥✨

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from the team at Prairie Surf!

It's been a spectacular year for Oklahoma filmmaking, and we have plenty to be grateful for. We wish each of you a meaningful holiday with those you hold dear.

11/27/2024

Last week, Prairie Surf’s Creative wrapped principal photography on a project two years in the making—a documentary about the inspiring efforts to revitalize Oklahoma City’s historic Jewel Theatre. This project holds special significance for us, as it served to launch our storytelling division.

Built in 1931, the Jewel Theatre is the city’s last remaining historically Black theater. During segregation, it provided a safe and vibrant space for the Black community to enjoy films and performances, standing as a cultural cornerstone. Today, it remains a powerful symbol of resilience and heritage.

Community leaders like Arthur Hurst, who grew up attending the Jewel Theatre, and Senator Nikki Nice have worked tirelessly to revitalize this historic space, with critical support from Open Design, Oklahoma’s first woman-led, non-profit design firm. Acting as the architect and project manager, Open Design was invited to apply and secured a competitive $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, propelling the restoration forward. Last week, we celebrated the kickoff of the first phase of this transformative project.

Working alongside Notis Studios, Prairie Surf is proud to document this journey and share the story of the Jewel Theatre, preserving its legacy as a cornerstone of Oklahoma City’s cultural history.

11/25/2024

We’re thrilled to share the video we created for 1Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma’s groundbreaking NIL initiative redefining how athletes and fans connect.

It was an honor to work with Coach Bob Stoops, 1Oklahoma, and The University of Oklahoma on this project and to see it premiere in the electric atmosphere of Ga***rd Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium during a huge home win!

Learn more: 1Oklahoma.com