Prairie Surf Media

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.

The below is from Matt Payne, reflecting on Prairie Surf Media’s recent work with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum as the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing approaches. This project carries deep significance for us, as we documented the Myriad’s role as a vital center for first responders during those difficult days. Hosting the Day One Luncheon in our studio was an incredibly meaningful way to offer a return to the place where it all began. It’s a powerful reminder of our community’s resilience and the lasting importance of honoring these stories. ------- The Myriad will always have a special place in my heart for obvious reasons. That said, over the last couple of months, that affinity has grown deeper as the Prairie Surf Media team has worked tirelessly to produce a short film documenting the role the Myriad played in the Oklahoma City bombing. In the immediate aftermath and weeks to follow, the building served as the hospitality center for first responders working round the clock. Inside what is now our studio, volunteers fed, housed, and cared for USAR workers and others who came in from all over the country to help in the rescue effort. The short film was part of the programming for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum’s thirtieth anniversary Day One event. Additionally, we had the honor of hosting the event in our facility. As our time here comes to a close, today was a powerful reminder of how great this city and state really is. -Matt Payne

Congratulations to University of Oklahoma 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!

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! #OklahomaFilm #NextGenFilmmakers #PrairieSurfMedia #deadCenter

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://lnkd.in/gf6j2zkj 📸 : Prairie Surf CEO Matt Payne

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

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.

CEO Matt Payne had the honor of judging the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication 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 Gaylord 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 Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma for putting on another exceptional festival!

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!

Congratulations to Prairie Surf CEO Matt Payne on joining the Board of Visitors at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. This partnership is especially meaningful for Prairie Surf, as we’ve collaborated closely with Gaylord's Creative Media Production department for years and witnessed firsthand the incredible talent cultivated there. Gaylord’s influence reaches far beyond Oklahoma. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) ranks Gaylord #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!