Prairie Surf Studios (formerly Cox Center)

[bombermwc]

Not to mention the fact that there is absolutely ZERO, NADA, NO demand for office space at all. Occupancy is low and getting worse as the energy sector shrinks. BOK/Sandridge/Leadership/Bancfist/etc. We don't need the hotel space, and if they're built, they're not going to go here.

I've said it before too, restoring the grid doesn't get you anywhere. East/West buts you into EK Gaylord. North/South buts you into the Peake. You'd get 4 blocks of un-needed ground floor retail ability.....and that's a dime a dozen downtown. Unless we have 4 towers to build in it's spot, there's just no need.

AND, we'd lose the prime location for building the Peak's replacement. We seriously have zero incentive to do anything with this site and the city knows it. And for sure the private sector knows it because no one is interested....at least not one that actually has any potential to actually DO anything. And even then they're gonna want mega TIF and breaks and we've been burned there many a times.

"not gonna happen".

[warreng88]

Huh... Wouldn't have guessed this as a good use for the space, but I'm not opposed...

https://oklahoman.com/article/567134...-tv-production

[Bellaboo]

That's a great idea. Let it happen.

[Jake]

This is a really interesting idea!

[Timshel]

Though I'd love for it to get razed and redeveloped into something cool, that seems incredibly unlikely in any reasonable time frame, so definitely intrigued by this idea. Would have to be done right and coupled with some pretty significant tax deals to make it successful, but could be cool.

[David]

If that works out and actually gets used as imagined, that sounds like a fantastic idea.

[shawnw]

Really interesting and unexpected option for this building. I'm almost always pro adaptive reuse, so good luck to these guys.

[DowntownMan]

Really interesting and unexpected option for this building. I'm almost always pro adaptive reuse, so good luck to these guys.

It would definitely add some life to downtown and the hotels would do well with out of town guests coming in for filming

I like this idea!

[Pete]

I worked on the lot at Paramount for 3 years and did consulting projects for several other large studios in L.A.

A huge investment is required to create sound stages. Where is that money going to come from?


I look forward to hearing this discussed in City Council on Tuesday.

[Laramie]

There are so many questions that require answers before a decision is made on the Cox Convention Center. There are millions in previous bonds and MAPS Initiative funds tied to this facility.

Let's see what a 'letter of intent' by Prairie Surface Media offers. What's on the line; think about it.

This seems like an exciting use of the Cox Center since the only use we've heard is its potential fallback as an overflow for the new convention center which we don't see happening anytime soon during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As for the question on 'money to back this project' anyone think this would be a problem getting investors from Los Angeles alone to support the OKC Cox Convention Center conversion idea...

[catch22]

I think this is a good interim solution. But long term - that building needs to go. That superblock needs to be replaced by a vibrant, human scaled area. With the current looming economic depression that idea may be another decade in the future than initially thought, so if this keeps the lights on and activity around it in the meantime - go for it.

[Pete]

I don't see how this works as an interim project.

There is a massive investment needed to convert open space into sound stages. Who is going to do that for even 10 years? And then you have to hope you get a ton of productions to come to Oklahoma City.

Would be great If this happens, but every city has had surplus arenas and convention centers and none have gone this route, including the Forum and Sports Arena in L.A. and for a long time there was a big shortage of studio space there.


Maybe the plan is to do a cheap-and-dirty setup and then see who they can rent to. Otherwise, this doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[catch22]

I don't see how this works as an interim project.

There is a massive investment needed to convert open space into sound stages. Who is going to do that for even 10 years? And then you have to hope you get a ton of productions to come to Oklahoma City.

Would be great If this happens, but every city has had surplus arenas and convention centers and none have gone this route, including the Forum and Sports Arena in L.A. and for a long time there was a big shortage of studio space there.


Maybe the plan is to do a cheap-and-dirty setup and then see who they can rent to. Otherwise, this doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

If so - then this is not a great idea. It's creative, but it will allow one of the largest land-use failures of Oklahoma City to continue perpetually. What about repurposing the Crossroads Mall as this? Has tons of space sitting and that area could use some investment and attention. Not to mention the huge parking lots could be used to setup temporary outdoor stages and driving scenes.

[catcherinthewry]

https://oklahoman.com/article/567164...-a-film-studio

[Pete]

Was there a city council meeting today?

The notice and agenda were never posted on the city's portal, which is a big violation of the open meetings act.

[shawnw]

no one has talked about what happens to the parking yet, does that remain a city managed asset or does that become dedicated to the workers there in part or in full? if there is any public parking remaining, will the elevators be access controlled and if so will the only exit for members of the public be the stairs going up to Reno?

[Pete]

Turns out there was a city council meeting today.

I'm furious the meeting and agenda were never posted. Effectively, someone could press the issue and invalidate any votes taken today.

Anyway, here is the letter of intent; I am still very skeptical about this as it makes zero sense to me:

[BoulderSooner]

Was there a city council meeting today?

The notice and agenda were never posted on the city's portal, which is a big violation of the open meetings act.

new link for the council agendas going forward

https://okc.primegov.com/public/portal

[Ohwiseone]

It seems iffy, on how they would convert the arena and everything to basically massive open space.

However, There is going to be backlog of projects, and a lack of stage space for a year or two because of the COVID shutdown.

I guess it is better than it sitting empty.

[Pete]

It's one of those things that sounds good and gets everyone excited but makes zero sense to anyone who knows about the business side of the industry.

[Southsider2]

Okay so I was able to watch some of the presentation but wasn't able to finish. Sorry if this is a stupid question I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly. This LOI is essentially granting them go and hit up their connections and gauge interest in producing films at the Cox Center (probably cheaply)? From there, if they get a good response they move into lease negotiations with the city to actually make it happen?

Also Pete, you obviously are well versed in the film industry. My question to you is if the infrastructure was in place do you think they would be able to land filming for streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Etc.)? I know nothing about the film industry but I understand that there will need to be very significant TI allowance or buildout and someone will have to pay for it. Who pays for it is a whole different fun conversation that I'm sure people will have when the time comes. But for now, it sounded like the people behind this at the very least have experience and decent connections. Again, pardon my ignorance regarding the film industry and thanks in advance.

[Pete]

Also Pete, you obviously are well versed in the film industry. My question to you is if the infrastructure was in place do you think they would be able to land filming for streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Etc.)? I know nothing about the film industry but I understand that there will need to be very significant TI allowance or buildout and someone will have to pay for it. Who pays for it is a whole different fun conversation that I'm sure people will have when the time comes. But for now, it sounded like the people behind this at the very least have experience and decent connections. Again, pardon my ignorance regarding the film industry and thanks in advance.

I just don't think this is remotely realistic.


Productions require an entire army of experienced crew members and we don't have any of that here.

Also, literally every city and state has been trying to seduce production for the last several decades. All the sudden OKC is going to do something none of these places have ever thought of?


Then you add on the tremendous cost to convert what is essentially a warehouse into a working soundstage... If there is such demand, why not do that in L.A.? Warehouse space is cheap and even the L.A. Forum has been empty since the Lakers and Kings moved to the Staples Center in the 90's.

And no disrespect to the two people trying to make this happen, but it's not like they are some sort of Holywood power brokers. The guy wrote one episode each for 3 TV shows of minor consequence, the most recent being 6 years ago. He mainly does local PBS stuff and travel writing for 405 Magazine. The actress has had nothing more than a bunch of bit TV parts. Again, I'm not putting them down and there are tons of people who would kill for even that much work, but there are literally thousands of people with those credentials and unless there is something huge not being mentioned, none of that experience is going to translate directly into recruiting full productions to a city that has had virtually zero in the past.


Of course, I will be very happy if this happens. I just don't see how it makes any sense other than as a fun idea.

[Southsider2]

Gotcha, I'm following now. Thanks for the explaination.

[Pete]

They just issued this press release:

******************

NEW GLOBAL MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCTION COMPANY PRAIRIE SURF MEDIA (PSM) LAUNCHES PRAIRIE SURF STUDIOS IN OKLAHOMA CITY
*****
***Entertainment Industry Veterans and Oklahomans’ Matt Payne and Rachel Cannon Lead New Venture***
*****
***Oklahoma City Grants Rights to PSM to Transform Cox Convention Center Into Motion Picture and Television Studio***

Oklahoma City, OK – September 15, 2020 - The City of Oklahoma City has granted Prairie Surf Media (PSM), the newly established multi-media production company, the rights to establish Prairie Surf Studios in the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The new entity will house the largest clearspan soundstages in the Midwest.

Rachel Cannon and Matt Payne, co-chief executive officers of PSM, in jointly announcing the new partnership, said Prairie Surf Studios will encompass more than 260,000 square feet of production space including 140,000 square feet dedicated to five clearspan soundstages ranging from 25,000 to 32,000 square feet each. The production facility will also offer attached hotels, a diner with a separate kitchen, a commercial-grade kitchen and an underground tunnel system connecting to shops, hotels and restaurants.

Cannon and Payne, who have both spent decades working in the entertainment business in Los Angeles, saw an opportunity in their home state to help elevate the industry by providing infrastructure. They jointly stated, “We are passionate about empowering storytellers while creating jobs that will truly create economic diversity for Oklahoma. The entertainment industry is not just actors and directors. Each production is packed with high-paying jobs that range from construction workers and electricians to accountants and tech. With unemployment at an all-time high, we want to show Oklahomans how their existing skillsets can pivot into this brand-new industry.”

They continued, "Launching Prairie Surf Media has been a labor of love and we are eager to introduce filmmakers across the globe to our beautiful state. Among our state’s highlights are our famed Tallgrass Prairie, Little Sahara, Black Mesa, charming small towns and growing downtown metropolises. Our environmental diversity will serve as the perfect backdrop for countless stories in television, film, documentaries and commercials.

“As productions continue to ramp up, we are acutely aware of capacity issues and safety concerns that the entertainment industry currently faces due to the pandemic. With that said, we can confidently say when we open our doors it will be to a safe environment following industry-wide protocols. With an attached hotel and commercial-grade kitchen,
productions have the capability to self-contain their crews for safety."

Securing the space was no small feat for PSM. Cannon and Payne said, “We are indebted to our investors led by Christian Kanady of Echo Investment Capital, and many other supportive individuals including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a visionary who helped put our deal together with the Cox Center, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell who provided unyielding guidance for which we’ll be forever grateful, as well as other state leaders.”

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell said, “I have the utmost respect for Matt and Rachel and their exciting new venture – Prairie Surf Studios. The film and television industry are going to bring in tax revenue, jobs and other opportunities for rural and urban Oklahomans. This gives us a great opportunity to showcase to the world our state’s rich history, geographic diversity and our biggest asset – our warm and welcoming people.”

Mayor Holt stated, “I was so impressed when I met Rachel and Matt and learned of their vision for enhancing the entertainment industry in Oklahoma as well as building a media hub. Prairie Surf Studios is another example of what happens when we invest in ourselves. The Cox Center would not have been available if it wasn’t for the voters’ approval to build a new convention center. We realize our global economy is shifting and the entertainment industry is no different. The studio fits perfectly into the city’s economic development strategy and will help create many jobs at a time when they are most needed.”

Holt continued, “We welcome producers and directors to Oklahoma City where they will find talented actors, electricians, set designers, costumers and makeup artists. I know they are going to be pleasantly surprised when they experience the beauty of our entire state.”

Tava Maloy Sofsky, director of Oklahoma Film and Music, said, “I have known and worked closely with Matt and Rachel for years. Their dedication and love of the arts, their creative minds combined with their savvy business sense, will surly make Prairie Surf Studios a premier destination for all types of productions. Suffice it to say, I am beyond thrilled that these boomerangs are back home sharing their years of entertainment industry expertise to help mentor and launch the next generation of talent both in front of and behind the cameras.”

####

About Rachel Cannon:
Rachel Cannon is an entertainment executive, entrepreneur, mentor, accomplished television
actress, writer and producer. With an acting career in Los Angeles that spans over 20 years,
Cannon has been featured in such iconic television series as “Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a
Half Men,” “Mad Men,” and for the last 6 years she has recurred on the hit comedy series
“Fresh Off The Boat.” Combining this on-set experience with her strong entrepreneurial spirit,
Cannon is now focused on helping to shape and bring creative opportunities to the film and
entertainment industry in her home State at this transformational time.

About Matt Payne:
Matt Payne is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, writer, photographer and educator based in
Oklahoma City. In his 15 years based in Los Angeles, Payne worked as a writer on CBS's Vegas,
Without a Trace and The Defenders. In 2015, Payne moved back to Oklahoma City and since
then, has taken a key role in the Oklahoma film community producing documentaries for
Griffin Communications and the OETA Foundation as well as teaching film business and
screenwriting at Oklahoma City University among other things.

About PSM:
Prairie Surf Media (PSM) is an Oklahoma City-based global production studio focused on
multi-platform content creation. Through its innovative and transformative leadership team,
the company is poised to kick start the growth of streaming, television and motion picture
production in Oklahoma. With decades of combined experience in the entertainment industry,
PSM is the undisputed category leader in the state. PSM is co-founded by Oklahoma natives,
Rachel Cannon and Matt Payne.

For more information on Prairie Surf Media, Prairie Surf Studios, Matt Payne and
Rachel Cannon go to: prairiesurf.com

[Plutonic Panda]

I hope this happens. It would be amazing for the city!