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Key Conversations is a virtual series that brings together aspiring filmmakers and Oklahoma’s most experienced industry professionals. Through personal anecdotes and experiences, professionals will inspire and motivate participants to pursue their passion for filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, creativity, and resilience in the face of challenges.
Each session of Key Conversation will highlight a department or a crew position that is needed to help Oklahoma build a stronger crew base to support the state’s growing film industry.
Thanks to the generosity of each speaker, Meridian is able to offer Key Conversations at no cost to filmmakers. Registration is required. Attendees will receive a Zoom link to each session they sign up for.
Will be rescheduled due to film production | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Valerie Parker is an accomplished Costume Designer in her home state of Oklahoma. Before entering into the film and television industry she was a skilled seamstress with more than ten years of experience in custom clothing design, theater, ballet, and pageants. Additionally, Valerie plays a pivotal role in the education of future film makers collaborating with FEIO, Deadcenter University, and Meridian Technology Center. She was recently awarded a Spotlight Crew Award for her workmanship in the film industry and Best Costume Design for 48-Hour Film Challenge for the 2023 season. It is her ultimate goal to tell stories through creative wardrobe approaches and encourage the growth of women in film.
Will be rescheduled due to film production | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Toni Marlo is a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician, and the owner and co-founder of MarloHaus Makeup and Hair in Oklahoma City.
As one of the state’s most sought makeup artists, Toni has worked on over 50 feature films and television. She’s led the Department of Makeup for over 29 of those projects. She is also on the committee of Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance, where she, along with other industry leaders, advocate for Oklahoma’s fast-growing film community. During her career, Toni has traveled nationally and internationally as a celebrity hair and makeup artist.
2/20 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Brett Bower is a full-time actor and voiceover artist with principal roles in various SAG-AFTRA films including Killers of the Flower Moon directed by Martin Scorsese. He has also spent time on the opposite side of the camera as a director and screenwriter while also keeping busy as a character actor… often being cast in very dark and creepy roles as well as characters of a comic nature. Brett has also released two original albums called Shadow of the Cross and The Crimson Gift which are both available on iTunes.
3/6 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
3/13 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
It’s hard to sum up Jon Shryock’s contributions to Oklahoma’s film industry. Jon has worked on productions for more than 30 years, primarily within the Grip and Electric departments. Most recently, his talent was instrumental in bringing the movie “Reagan” to life. In addition to his hands-on work on set, he’s also the founder of Shryock Fabrications, an Oklahoma-based, full-service design and fabrication company dedicated to bringing creative visions to life for the film and commercial industries. Jon has built a leading fabrication and prop studio, specializing in building custom products from a wide range of materials.
4/3 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Based in Oklahoma City, Justin Parks is an Oklahoman who works locally as a stunt performer. Previous production credits include “Wild Indian,” “Reagan,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Reservation Dogs Season 2,” “Tulsa King,” “Turkey Bowl,” “Infamous,” “Land of Gold,” “One Day as a Lion,” “Seven Cemeteries,” ” The Line,” “Unexpected,” “All Terrain” and “Fancy Dance.”
4/17 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Katie Hightower is an acclaimed Director known for captivating projects like “Hailey’s Game,” “Deadnote,” and the upcoming “The Cure.” Championed by film-loving parents from a young age, she has honed her storytelling skills to create visually stunning and emotionally resonant works. Based in Oklahoma City with her wife and furry family, Katie is dedicated to bringing her unique vision to life on the screen.
5/1| Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Dathan Smith is the award-winning writer and director of the series L.I.F.E. Anthologies. In 2012 he moved from Dallas to New Orleans where he found a niche in stand-in work alongside A-list talent. During that time, he worked on “Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens” (Nick Jonas), “Mr. Right” (Sam Rockwell), “Now You See Me” (Mark Ruffalo), “The Whole Truth” (Keanu Reeves), and “22 Jump St.” (Dave Franco) to name a few. Dathan, now in Oklahoma, also works in front of the camera as commercial and film talent in industry booming Oklahoma. Random Fact: Dathan graduated with only 11 other students in a town with a population of 231.
Uraina Smith is an Actress, Writer, Co-Founder of the Red Brick Road Film Festival in Pauls Valley. Uraina has written and performed for most of her life, she has had the pleasure of working both in front and behind the camera with Large Network Productions and Independent Films. Behind the scenes Uraina has performed the duties of Set Dresser, Wardrobe, H&M, SFX Make-up, Location Scout, Props, and Executive Producer.
5/15 | Thursday | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
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