Prairie Surf Media

11/02/2024

Yesterday, Prairie Surf Media welcomed the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum's Day One Luncheon to our studios, formerly the Myriad Convention Center.

For the event, Prairie Surf's creative team produced a project that tells the story of what unfolded within these walls following the bombing. Volunteers, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, and various government and nonprofit agencies worked tirelessly to transform the Myriad into a 24/7 lifeline for relief, providing Urban Search and Rescue Teams and other first responders with essential food, shelter, and care. In many ways, the Myriad played a pivotal role in establishing the Oklahoma Standard.

Seeing leaders return to these halls for this annual reflection on resilience and unity was both moving and meaningful, and we’re honored to help preserve this powerful legacy through storytelling.

10/23/2024

Congratulations to OU graduate Lagueria Davis for her incredible documentary, Black Barbie, now streaming on Netflix! We were thrilled to welcome Lagueria to Prairie Surf during her return to Oklahoma as part of OU's Film and Media Studies speaker series.

Black Barbie explores the cultural impact of the Black Barbie doll, sparking essential conversations about representation and identity in the toy industry.

We’re proud to celebrate Lagueria’s success and can’t wait to see where her storytelling takes her next. We encourage you to check out the doc on Netflix!

10/21/2024

Prairie Surf Media proudly attended the screening of Lost and Found, a thoughtful and charming film written, produced, and shot by high school students through deadCenter Film University in partnership with Oklahoma City Community College.

It’s incredible to witness young Oklahoma filmmakers already stepping up and showcasing their talents.

Prairie Surf is committed to supporting the next generation of Oklahoma storytellers, and we’re thrilled to partner with organizations that invest in these future creators.

We'd like to recognize mentors Sean Lynch, Sunrise Tippeconnie, Victor David Caballero, and the teams who made this happen. Congratulations and thank you to Mautra Staley Jones and Cacky Poarch for your leadership in helping grow Oklahoma’s creative community.

We can’t wait to see what this young talent achieves next!

10/18/2024

We’re two weeks away from the Day One Luncheon, and Prairie Surf is honored to host this meaningful event in a space that once played a crucial role in shaping the Oklahoma Standard.

Now home to Prairie Surf Studios, the former Myriad Convention Center served as a central hub for relief efforts following the Oklahoma City bombing, providing vital support to rescue teams and agencies working tirelessly in the aftermath of the tragedy.

As we gather to reflect on resilience, honor those we lost, and carry forward the strength of our community, we proudly stand with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in remembering and moving forward with hope.

Join us in remembering—today is the last day to buy tickets.

https://memorialmuseum.com/events/dayone30th/

📸 : Prairie Surf CEO Matt Payne Media

10/11/2024

Don't miss this article from The Journal Record about the crucial role Film Production Rebates have played in Oklahoma’s rapidly growing creative industry.

Over the past two years, film and TV productions have generated nearly $125 million in direct spending for Oklahoma City alone—momentum that requires additional support to sustain.

Jill Simpson, head of the OKC Film and Creative Industries Office, stressed, “We’re at a critical point. We need to grow our incentive budget. We’re turning away tens of millions of dollars in production revenue.”

To keep pace with this growth and cement Oklahoma’s place in the film industry, Prairie Surf is proud to join other industry leaders in advocating for expanded funding in 2025!

https://bit.ly/3BRZTC4

Oklahoma’s burgeoning film industry is gaining national recognition with the commercial success of major projects like “Twisters” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

10/11/2024

One of the most rewarding parts of our work at Prairie Surf is encouraging the next generation of Oklahoma’s creative talent.

The Digital Media Technology program students from Canadian Valley Tech Center had great energy and even better questions as they toured the studios this week.
It’s always inspiring to meet young Oklahomans eager to explore careers in digital media, film, and storytelling.

Supporting and mentoring these students is a big part of why we love what we do, and we can’t wait to see how they contribute to Oklahoma’s flourishing creative scene.

10/08/2024

CEO Matt Payne had the honor of judging the Ga***rd College Creative Media Storyteller Festival for the fourth consecutive year. This festival gives freshman and sophomore students a chance to create and showcase their first short films, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world projects.

The event offers an exciting look at the emerging talent within Oklahoma's film community and plays a vital role in Ga***rd College’s mission to foster storytelling and media production skills in future filmmakers. Sharing in this mission, Prairie Surf Media is proud to support such a remarkable program and can’t wait to see where these young filmmakers' creativity takes them next!

Congratulations to all participants, and to Ga***rd College at the University of Oklahoma for putting on another exceptional festival!

10/08/2024

Prairie Surf is honored to host the Day One Luncheon, back in the halls of "the incomparable Myriad." Please consider joining Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum as Join us they begin the 168 Days of Remembrance leading up to April 19, 2025, and the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Tickets and sponsorships are available: https://memorialmuseum.com/events/dayone30th/

09/29/2024

Today marks the final day to experience the stunning "Edith Head: Hollywood's Costume Designer" exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art! As we bid farewell to this incredible showcase, we’re revisiting the mini-documentary Prairie Surf's creative team produced in conjunction with the museum.

Three minutes is not enough time to delve into the life and work of the legendary Edith Head, one of Hollywood’s most influential costume designers, but our panel of Oklahoma designers and historians did their best.

From her iconic designs for stars like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly to her groundbreaking work behind the scenes, this exhibit has offered a rare glimpse into her creative genius. Don’t miss your last chance to see her timeless costumes and enjoy the shine of Hollywood's Golden Age, right here in OKC.

Head to OKCMOA today (9/29) before it’s gone!

09/28/2024

Congratulations to Prairie Surf CEO Matt Payne on joining the Board of Visitors at the Ga***rd College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

This partnership is especially meaningful for Prairie Surf, as we’ve collaborated closely with Ga***rd's Creative Media Production department for years and witnessed firsthand the incredible talent cultivated there.

Ga***rd’s influence reaches far beyond Oklahoma. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) ranks Ga***rd #1 in the nation for video and film production based on the number of student awards. It also holds the title of #2 overall program in the country, a testament to the strength of all its majors.

Prairie Surf is honored to continue to support this powerhouse in media education, and Matt looks forward to further engaging as board member!

09/27/2024

Earlier this month, Prairie Surf hosted the Wichita Chapter of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) for a discussion and tour.

YPO brings together a global community of innovative CEOs and business leaders, all driven by a shared commitment to growth, leadership, and creating positive change in their industries.

During their visit, Prairie Surf CEO Matt Payne, EVP of Studio Operations Hagan Hunter, and Jill Simpson of the OKC Film and Creative Industries Office shared the exciting trajectory of film in Oklahoma, and exchanged ideas about the synergy between business leadership and creative production.

It was an inspiring chance to connect with such an inspiring group of forward-thinking leaders from our neighbors to the north!

09/19/2024

As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing approaches, Prairie Surf proudly welcomed former Mayor Ron Norick, Fire Chief Gary Marrs, and other key figures back to the former Myriad Convention Center—now our home.

After the bombing, first responders used this building as a crucial command center for rescue and recovery efforts, working tirelessly to save lives and bring hope to our city.

These leaders, including Debby Hampton, who worked for the American Red Cross of Oklahoma at the time of the bombing; Debra Bailey of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, whose members turned their annual food service convention into a relief effort; and Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum CEO Kari Watkins, shared stories of resilience remembered from their time in these halls.

The resulting project will be shown at the Day One Luncheon, scheduled for November 1 at Prairie Surf. We’re grateful for the opportunity to preserve the history of our community’s strength through storytelling.

Attend the Day One Luncheon November 1st: https://memorialmuseum.com/events/dayone30th/

09/16/2024

The OKC Bus Trip, organized by the OKC Innovation District and NE OKC Renaissance, brought 15 college upperclassmen to Prairie Surf as part of an exploration of workforce, cultural, and philanthropic opportunities in OKC.

Thanks to Jill Simpson of OKC Film and Creative Industries, Boiling Point Media, and Notis Studios for lending their expertise to the panel discussion about Oklahoma's film and production growth.

Prairie Surf is always excited to meet and mentor talented young Oklahomans!

09/11/2024

🎬 Scissortail Studios at Douglass High School allows students to dive into hands-on filmmaking experience and call "action" on their future.

Prairie Surf's Matt Payne Media and Hagan Hunter toured the incredible new soundstage at Douglass, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future of Oklahoma's creative workforce.

Jill Simpson of OKC Film and Creative Industries and House Representative Rhonda Baker, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's Director of Education, joined the Prairie Surf team on site.

Congratulations to Marcus Brown and Dekoven Riggins of Notis Studios and educators at five other OKCPS Schools, who, through this innovative partnership, are preparing the next generation for big things in the film industry.

This is what workforce development looks like - a remarkable investment in Oklahoma education and new industry!👏

09/06/2024

Prairie Surf is incredibly honored to host this year’s Day One Luncheon, commemorating 168 days of remembrance leading up to the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Prairie Surf Studios is housed in the former Myriad Convention Center, which played a crucial role in supporting search and rescue efforts immediately after the tragedy.

The Myriad served as housing for Urban Search & Rescue Teams from across the nation. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association established 24-hour feeding operations on-site for all relief workers. A Multi-Agency Coordination Center including the American Red Cross, FEMA, the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management, and other advisors from city, state, and national agencies worked tirelessly in what are now our halls.

It is a privilege to have some of those leaders return to the building for this impactful event, bringing our community together to honor those we lost, celebrate the resilience of survivors, and reflect on the enduring strength of the Oklahoma Standard.

Prairie Surf stands with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in remembering and moving forward with hope.

Join us on November 1st from 11:30am-1:30pm for the Day One Luncheon, marking the start of the 168 Days of Remembrance leading up to the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

This year’s luncheon will be held at Prairie Surf Media, which was originally the Myriad Convention Center — a site that housed hundreds of first responders from around the U.S. as they assisted with recovery efforts in the wake of the bombing.

Get your tickets relive how the world watched the Oklahoma Standard on full display for those who came to help: MemorialMuseum.com/dayone

08/29/2024

It’s another big weekend for Oklahoma film, with the premiere of Reagan!

A huge congratulations to the Oklahoma cast and crew who brought this story to life. Your hard work and dedication continue to elevate Oklahoma as a destination for filmmaking.

We’re proud to be part of this thriving film community.

08/20/2024

🎬 Join the Prairie Surf Media Apprentice Program! 🎬

Are you passionate about film and media?

We’re excited to announce that Prairie Surf's Fall Apprenticeship cohort has two spots remaining! This is your chance to learn about film production, gain hands-on experience, and work alongside industry professionals right here in Oklahoma.

Whether you're interested in writing, production, post-production, or just love film, our program offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and build your network in Oklahoma's rapidly expanding creative industries.

The deadline has been extended - seeking two more students eager to gain experience while earning college credit.

Apply Today!
https://bit.ly/4fVkZPB