We Paid For It: Oklahoma Film & Music Office

The Hollywood spotlight has shined on Oklahoma for years and more and more film makers are choosing the sooner state for their movie backdrops. Did you know we're paying for that to happen?

Jill Simpson with the Oklahoma Film and Music Office said one major reason actors like Bill Pullman, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, and this year Meryl Streep, work on major movies in our state, A-list film makers are taking advantage of taxpayer paid cash incentives.

We pay up to $5,000,000 a year for the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate. Without it, Simpson said film makers would pack up and make their movies in other states that offer similar programs.

And Simpson tells me films bring triple that amount back into our economy when crews eat and shop here. She said also great exposure.

"Those movies are going to be playing around the country and around the world," Simpson said. "And at the end of the film, people are going to be able to see where those films were shot. You can't buy that kind of marketing for your jurisdiction."

We're also paying for the Oklahoma Film and Music Office to attract projects to our state. This year it's operating budget is just over $566,000. The Oklahoma Film and Music Office also promotes local talent.

Learn more about the agency