Oklahoma's first film and television studio campus set for expansion

Filmmakers Ranch has announced plans to expand its film and television studio campus just east of downtown Oklahoma City. The co-founders of the 52,000-square-foot facility are also teaming up with two new vendors—Apex Post Production, a full-service post-production company, and NGP Film, a major player in Oklahoma's film equipment rental scene.  

The cornerstone of the expansion is the integration of a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos sound mixing stage, marking a substantial $500,000 investment. The move is anticipated to create up to 15 full-time jobs, contributing to the flourishing film and television industry in Oklahoma. The sector has witnessed an impressive nearly $300 million in qualified expenditures from productions leveraging the state's film incentive program in fiscal years 2021 and 2022. 

Richard Janes, co-founder of Filmmakers Ranch, shared his excitement about the studio's evolution into a dynamic film production hub. "We are thrilled to provide a turn-key environment with high-quality services at extremely competitive pricing structures," said Janes. 

The Dolby Atmos certification, recognized industry-wide for technical excellence in post-production sound facilities, will be the first in Oklahoma for feature film and television sound mixing. Apex Post OKC, in addition to the Dolby Atmos soundstage, will offer sound mixing, automated dialogue replacement, foley and music recording, picture editorial, color grading, graphics and visual effects. 

NGP Film will play a crucial role in supporting film rentals, providing essential equipment for on-location filming, as evidenced by their contributions to notable projects such as "Killers of the Flower Moon” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, "Reservation Dogs" and "Minari."  

“NGP is excited to collaborate with Filmmakers Ranch in establishing a haven for cinematic creativity,” said Nathan Gardocki, owner and founder of NGP Film Equipment Rental. “Much like an artist's collective, each business at Filmmakers Ranch offers a unique palette of products and services, yet we all have a shared goal – to foster the art of filmmaking in Oklahoma.”  

Jon Vogl, owner of Apex Post OKC, also emphasized Oklahoma's supportive ecosystem for the production industry. 

“The most recent example includes Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio – the biggest movie production ever undertaken in the state,” said Vogl. “We are poised to help develop a workforce capable of servicing the major film and TV projects coming to and currently filming in Oklahoma.” 

Oklahoma stands out as one of the most attractive film incentive markets in the country, with robust support and programs from state, city and tribal governments. The Filmed in Oklahoma Act, part of the state's film incentive program, has created nearly 12,000 local career opportunities, with over $120 million in wages paid to Oklahomans in fiscal years 2021 and 2022. 

Filmmakers Ranch has become a focal point for increased film and television production in the region. The addition of Apex Post and NGP Film further solidifies its position as a hub for diverse productions, including those from Lifetime, Hallmark, and major studio projects like "Oppenheimer" and "Tulsa King." 

Jill Simpson, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office, highlighted the importance of the new additions. 

“Post-production is a key piece of the industry which we want to grow in Oklahoma City, and we see having a certified Dolby Atmos soundstage at Apex Post as a big win for the entire industry,” said Simpson.  

The transformative impact of this change goes beyond Filmmakers Ranch, as the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office introduced its film incentive program earlier this year. This initiative seeks to enhance the reach of the film and television industry across seven Central Oklahoma counties, establishing the area as a thriving hub for filmmaking.