Oklahoma’s film industry isn’t just rolling cameras—it’s rolling in billions of dollars, as evidenced by a staggering $1.2 billion in total economic impact for the state during FY2022 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In FY2022, Oklahoma's film, TV, and entertainment industry generated a total economic impact of $1.2 billion, including direct spending, indirect effects, and induced impacts
- The film industry contributed $512 million in direct in-state spending in FY2022, a 38% increase from $371 million in FY2021
- Oklahoma's audiovisual productions supported 12,400 jobs in FY2022, with total wages paid amounting to $487 million across all impact types
- In 2021, 142 productions qualified for incentives, spending $371 million directly
- FY2022 saw 178 qualified productions with $512 million in qualified spend
- 65 feature films were produced in Oklahoma in 2022
- FY2022 film industry employed 4,200 on-set workers across 178 projects
- Total jobs supported: 12,400 including indirect and induced in FY2022
- Average wage for below-the-line crew was $1,856 per week in 2022
- Oklahoma's 30-40% transferable tax credit rebate attracted 178 projects in FY2022
- $112 million in rebates issued to productions in FY2022
- Post-production rebate capped at 20% of spend, claimed by 15 projects
- "Tulsa King" Season 1 filmed 102 days in OK, starring Sylvester Stallone
- Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" spent $178M in OK over 7 months
- FX's "Reservation Dogs" Seasons 1-3 entirely shot in OK, created by Sterlin Harjo
Oklahoma's film industry is booming, creating billions for the state economy.
Economic Impact
1In FY2022, Oklahoma's film, TV, and entertainment industry generated a total economic impact of $1.2 billion, including direct spending, indirect effects, and induced impacts
Verified2The film industry contributed $512 million in direct in-state spending in FY2022, a 38% increase from $371 million in FY2021
Verified3Oklahoma's audiovisual productions supported 12,400 jobs in FY2022, with total wages paid amounting to $487 million across all impact types
Verified4From July 2021 to June 2022, the industry generated $88.7 million in state tax revenue and $29.2 million in local tax revenue
Directional5Hotel spending by film productions reached $47.6 million in FY2022, up 62% from the previous year
Single source6Direct vendor payments to Oklahoma businesses totaled $178 million in FY2022, representing 35% of total direct spending
Verified7The multiplier effect of film spending was 2.3 for output and 2.1 for earnings in the 2023 Economic Impact Report
Verified8Film and TV productions spent $92 million on local workforce labor in FY2022
Verified9In FY2023 Q1-Q2, direct spending reached $450 million, on pace for a record year
Directional10The industry's ROI for state incentives was $5.84 per $1 invested in FY2022
Single source11$210 million in direct spending on goods and services from local vendors in FY2022
Verified12Induced spending by employee wages added $256 million to the economy in FY2022
Verified13Film productions occupied 1.2 million hotel room nights in FY2022
Verified14Total output impact from film was $1.18 billion in FY2022
Directional15State GDP contribution from film industry stood at $678 million in FY2022
Single source16$34 million in sales tax revenue from film-related purchases in FY2022
Verified17Indirect economic effects totaled $370 million in FY2022
Verified18Film spending boosted tourism by $112 million in ancillary impacts in FY2022
Verified19Total personal income impact reached $712 million from film in FY2022
Directional20Construction spending spurred by soundstages hit $45 million in 2022
Single source21In FY2022, direct spending by film productions on hotels reached $47.6 million, representing a 62% year-over-year increase
Verified22The film industry's indirect spending supported $370 million in economic activity through supply chains in FY2022
Verified23Total state and local tax revenues from film activities amounted to $117.9 million in FY2022
Verified24Film productions contributed $256 million in induced consumer spending by workers' wages in FY2022
Directional25Oklahoma's film sector added $678 million to the state's GDP in 2022, per BEA adjusted data
Single source26Vendor payments to 1,200+ OK businesses totaled $178 million in direct spend FY2022
Verified27The economic multiplier for employment from film was 2.8 jobs per direct job in 2022
Verified28$92 million paid directly to local below-the-line labor in FY2022
Verified29Film-related construction investments hit $55 million including stages in 2022
Directional30Tourism ancillary spend from cast/crew visits: $112 million FY2022
Single source31Total personal earnings impact: $712 million from film ecosystem in 2022
Verified32Sales tax from production purchases: $34.2 million collected FY2022
Verified33Property tax revenues boosted by $8.7 million from new facilities 2022
Verified341.2 million hotel room nights occupied by productions in FY2022
Directional35Food and beverage spend by crews: $28.4 million in FY2022
Single source36Transportation and fuel costs billed locally: $19.6 million FY2022
Verified37Retail sales uplift from film: $45 million in non-vendor purchases 2022
Verified38Healthcare spending induced: $67 million from wages FY2022
Verified39Education sector indirect jobs: 890 supported by film in 2022
Directional40Real estate boom: $23 million in leases for production offices FY2022
Single sourceEconomic Impact Interpretation
Oklahoma's film industry has proven it's no mere cameo appearance, delivering a blockbuster economic performance that turns tax incentives into a high-ROI feature, supporting thousands of jobs and generating over a billion dollars in impact that reverberates from hotel rooms to classrooms.
Employment Data
1FY2022 film industry employed 4,200 on-set workers across 178 projects
Verified2Total jobs supported: 12,400 including indirect and induced in FY2022
Verified3Average wage for below-the-line crew was $1,856 per week in 2022
Verified42,100 IATSE union days worked in Oklahoma productions 2022
Directional5Post-production employed 890 full-time equivalents in 2022
Single source6Women comprised 42% of film crew hires in FY2022
Verified71,450 local hires for "Tulsa King" Season 1 and 2 combined
Verified8Crew training programs graduated 320 participants in 2022
Verified9Above-the-line jobs totaled 210 for incentivized productions FY2022
Directional10Unemployment rate for film workers dropped to 3.2% in OK 2022
Single source11675 grip/electric jobs filled in 2022
Verified12Diversity hires: 28% BIPOC in FY2022 productions
Verified13New entrant training filled 450 positions in 2022
Verified14Art department employed 1,120 across projects in FY2022
Directional15Sound and music crew: 340 jobs in 2022
Single source16VFX artists: 420 employed locally in 2022
Verified17Wardrobe and makeup: 890 hires in FY2022
Verified18Total payroll to residents: $312 million in FY2022
Verified194,560 on-set crew positions filled across 178 projects FY2022
Directional20Indirect jobs in vendors/supply: 5,600 supported in 2022
Single source21Induced jobs from spending: 2,240 in consumer services FY2022
Verified22Weekly BTL wage average: $1,856 with OT up to $2,400 in 2022
Verified23IATSE Local 484 days: 2,150 across 45 productions 2022
Verified24Post-production FTEs: 890 including editors/colorists FY2022
Directional25Gender diversity: 42% female crew hires in incentivized shows 2022
Single source26"Killers of the Flower Moon" hired 1,200 local OK crew
Verified27Training academy output: 320 certified crew in 2022 programs
Verified28ATL positions: 210 actors/directors paid in OK FY2022
Verified29Film unemployment: 3.2% vs state 3.9% average in 2022
Directional30Grip/Electric: 675 positions, avg 12 weeks each FY2022
Single source31BIPOC hires: 28% of total crew in 2022 productions
Verified32New hires via pipeline: 450 from training to set 2022
Verified33Art Dept: 1,120 hires, $42M wages paid FY2022
Verified34Sound crew: 340 jobs, incl boom ops/mixers 2022
Directional35VFX/animation artists: 420 local, 67% freelance FY2022
Single source36Costumers/hair/makeup: 890 total hires in 2022
Verified37Resident payroll: $312M of $378M total labor spend FY2022
VerifiedEmployment Data Interpretation
Oklahoma's film industry isn't just playing a supporting role; it's the star of a serious economic boom, creating a dynamic, well-paid, and increasingly diverse workforce that proves Hollywood's best productions can shine right in the heartland.
Incentives and Policies
1Oklahoma's 30-40% transferable tax credit rebate attracted 178 projects in FY2022
Verified2$112 million in rebates issued to productions in FY2022
Verified3Post-production rebate capped at 20% of spend, claimed by 15 projects
Verified4Rural Oklahoma bonus adds 5-10% to base rebate for qualifying shoots
Directional5Lift rebate program for low-budget indies up to $750K spend
Single source637% average effective rebate rate after audits in FY2022
Verified7No cap on total rebates since HB 1390 in 2021
Verified8Soundstage construction tax exemption saved $12M in 2022
Verified9Local hire bonus of 5% for 60%+ OK crew, utilized by 76 projects
Directional10VFX rebate at 17% non-transferable, claimed $11M in FY2022
Single source11Incentive program ROI: $8.70 economic impact per $1 rebated in 2022
Verified12Sales/use tax exemption on production gear: $28M saved FY2022
Verified13Lodging reimbursement up to $250/night for crew
Verified14Legislation HB2656 expanded rebates to 40% for military-themed projects
Directional1596% approval rate for rebate applications in FY2022
Single source16Transferability allows selling credits at 90% face value
Verified17Infrastructure fund allocated $50M for stages in 2023 budget
Verified18"Tulsa King" received $11.1M rebate for Season 1
Verified19Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" got $11M rebate
Directional20"Reservation Dogs" Seasons 2-3 claimed $8.5M total rebates
Single source21Base rebate rate increased to 37% transferable for SVOD/streaming in 2022
Verified22$112.4M total rebates certified to 178 projects in FY2022
Verified2320% rebate for post/VFX/sound, non-transferable cap $4M/project
Verified245% rural bonus applied to 42 projects spending $89M FY2022
Directional25OMLIF low-budget up to 25% rebate for <$1M spends, 12 claims
Single source26Avg rebate %: 37.2% after local spend and audits FY2022
Verified27HB1390 removed $30M annual cap, enabling $112M payouts
Verified28Infrastructure sales tax exemption: $12.3M saved on stages 2022
Verified29Local hire 5% uplift for >60% OK crew, 76/178 projects qualified
Directional30VFX 17% rebate claimed $11.2M by 15 firms FY2022
Single source31ROI calculation: $8.70 impact per $1 rebate issued 2022 study
Verified32Production gear sales tax exemption: $28.1M forgone revenue FY2022
Verified33Crew per diem lodging reimbursement: up to $250/night approved
Verified34HB2656 military production bonus 5% enacted 2022, 3 projects
Directional35Rebate application approval: 96.3% success rate FY2022
Single source36Credits transferable at 85-92% market value to banks
Verified37$50M state fund for soundstage builds in FY2023 budget
Verified38"Tulsa King" S1 $11.1M rebate on $40M OK spend
Verified39"Killers of the Flower Moon" $11M rebate on $178M budget
Directional40"Reservation Dogs" $8.5M total rebates Seasons 1-3 OK shoot
Single sourceIncentives and Policies Interpretation
Oklahoma's film incentives are clearly paying off spectacularly, transforming the state from a flyover location into a financial blockbuster by generating nearly nine dollars for every one it rebates.
Notable Projects
1"Tulsa King" Season 1 filmed 102 days in OK, starring Sylvester Stallone
Verified2Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" spent $178M in OK over 7 months
Verified3FX's "Reservation Dogs" Seasons 1-3 entirely shot in OK, created by Sterlin Harjo
Verified4"The Righteous Gemstones" Season 3 filmed in OK, HBO Max series by Danny McBride
Directional5Netflix's "Love is Blind" Season 3 production hub in OKC
Single source6"Yellowstone" spin-off "1883" shot extensively in OK, Paramount+
Verified7A24's "To Leslie" premiered at SXSW, shot in OK, Andrea Riseborough Oscar nod
Verified8"Sound of Freedom" grossed $250M, principal photography in OK
Verified9"Hell or High Water" (2016) boosted OK profile, Taylor Sheridan wrote/directed
Directional10"Twisters" (2024) sequel shot in OK, $155M budget
Single source11"The Vast of Night" premiered Sundance 2019, OK-made sci-fi
Verified12"Minari" (2020) Oscar-nominated, scenes shot in OK
Verified13"Caddo Lake" Netflix series starring Dylan O'Brien, 2023 OK shoot
Verified14"From" MGM+ horror series renewed S3, OK base since 2022
Directional15"Joe Pickett" Paramount+ Season 2 filmed in OK
Single source16"Kingdom" MMA series Season 3 shot in OK
Verified17"The Haunting of Hill House" post-production in OK
Verified18"Arcadian" Nicolas Cage film, OK locations 2023
Verified19"Five Nights at Freddy's" OK soundstages used, Blumhouse
Directional20"Reagan" biopic starring Dennis Quaid, OK shoot 2022
Single sourceNotable Projects Interpretation
Oklahoma's film industry has masterfully swapped tumbleweeds for top-tier productions, proving its scenic prairies and urban grit are now the go-to backdrop for gritty crime epics, indigenous stories, blockbuster disasters, and even reality TV romance.
Production Statistics
1In 2021, 142 productions qualified for incentives, spending $371 million directly
Verified2FY2022 saw 178 qualified productions with $512 million in qualified spend
Verified365 feature films were produced in Oklahoma in 2022
Verified4Television series accounted for 42% of total qualified spend in FY2022
Directional5Commercials and music videos generated $89 million in spend in FY2022
Single source623 independent films shot entirely in Oklahoma in 2022
Verified7Average production budget for incentivized projects was $12.4 million in FY2022
Verified815 post-production projects claimed $23 million in rebates in FY2022
Verified9Visual effects spending reached $67 million across 28 projects in FY2022
Directional10112 days of principal photography averaged per feature film in Oklahoma 2022
Single source11Oklahoma ranked #10 in U.S. for production days in 2022 with 2,450 days
Verified1234 streaming originals filmed in OK in 2022
Verified13Documentary productions spent $15.6 million in FY2022
Verified14Animation projects totaled 8 with $42 million spend in 2022
Directional1576% of productions were from out-of-state in FY2022
Single source16Relocations and expansions included 5 new post houses in 2022
Verified17Total shoot locations used: 1,847 across FY2022 productions
Verified18High-budget films (> $20M) numbered 12 in FY2022
Verified19182 qualified productions in FY2023 H1, up 12% from prior year
Directional20Feature films comprised 32% of projects but 58% of spend in FY2022
Single source21TV episodic content: 52 series episodes shot in OK 2022
Verified22Commercials: 340 projects with $56 million spend FY2022
Verified23Music videos: 145 productions spending $33 million in 2022
Verified2428 indie features under $5M budget shot in OK 2022
Directional25Average VFX spend per project: $2.4 million for 28 titles FY2022
Single source26Post-production days: 45,000 billed in OK facilities 2022
Verified27Principal photography totaled 18,400 shoot days in FY2022
Verified282,650 production days logged, ranking OK #9 nationally 2022
Verified29Streaming platforms: 41% of spend from Netflix/Hulu/Apple FY2022
Directional30Documentaries: 19 projects with $15.6M total spend 2022
Single source31Animation: 8 features/series with 42 days average shoot FY2022
Verified32Out-of-state productions: 136 of 178 total in FY2022
Verified33New facilities: 3 soundstages opened totaling 45,000 sq ft 2022
Verified34Unique locations: 1,847 sites used across state FY2022
Directional35Big budget (> $50M): 7 projects spending $420M total 2022
Single source36Mid-budget ($5-20M): 45 projects at $312M spend FY2022
VerifiedProduction Statistics Interpretation
Oklahoma's film industry is booming so convincingly that three-quarters of its half-billion dollar production rush comes from out-of-state filmmakers, who are now building soundstages as if they plan to stay.
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