Lawton is inviting filmmakers to consider the city as a location for their next project.
The city’s Art and Humanities Division recently submitted its application for designation as a film-friendly community to the Oklahoma Film + Music Office. The designation signals that the city welcomes filmmakers to shoot TV or film projects in Lawton.
“Typically, we’ll know within a week if our application is accepted or not, or if there’s anything we need to change,” said Arts and Humanities Administrator Jason Poudrier. “And then, we’ll be listed on the state of Oklahoma’s Film and Music website as a film-friendly city.”
Poudrier said the listing is useful for filmmakers who are looking for production locations in Oklahoma.
Lawton took the first steps toward becoming a film-friendly community in 2007, when the Lawton City Council adopted a resolution saying the city would work with TV and film producers. Over the next 14 years, the Arts and Humanities Division developed policies to streamline the permitting process for productions and compiled a list of locations whose owners were open to working with filmmakers.
Arts and Humanities officials are excited about submitting the completed application to the state Film and Music office, Poudrier said.
“To have everything finally put together – to have the locations that are needed and to have that sent off and to get that designation – it’s one more step in the right direction as far as promoting arts and humanities in Lawton,” he said.
Designation as a film-friendly city could benefit Lawton in several ways. For example, it could encourage production companies to consider making films or TV shows in Lawton, which would boost the community’s profile and generate revenue for the city’s coffers.
“If we’re able to get large production companies, that means increased tourism,” he said. “That means increased hotel/motel funds. That means increased exposure about the positive aspects of the city of Lawton.”
A division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office launched the Film-Friendly Community Program in 2010, according to the agency’s website. The program helps cities that want to attract film and TV productions.
Four cities – Broken Arrow, Duncan, El Reno and Shawnee – have achieved film-friendly certification so far.