In a recent government meeting, the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust discussed the approval of a joint resolution certifying \"Project School,\" an independent feature film set to be filmed in Oklahoma City. Jill Simpson presented the project, highlighting its significance as the eighth applicant for the Oklahoma City rebate program.

\"Project School\" is a coming-of-age story set in a high school, with filming scheduled from November 22 to December 18. The film will be produced by Tulsa-based Rebellion Films, led by Oklahoma native Randy Wayne and Argentine filmmaker Talia Bella, who relocated to Oklahoma in 2020. The production will utilize practical locations across Oklahoma City and El Reno, employing a local crew for the entirety of the shoot.

The anticipated local expenditures for the project are approximately $1.8 million, which constitutes 75% of the film's budget. The project qualifies for a 5% rebate level, meeting the minimum expenditure requirement of $500,000. The resolution recommends an allocation of $9,100,728 from Oklahoma City for the project, which is expected to create around 587 local jobs, significantly benefiting the local economy.

The economic impact analysis estimates a total economic contribution of $4.9 million, supporting 619 jobs directly and indirectly, with a labor income of $427,216. The production aims to prioritize hiring local and minority vendors, although some attendees raised concerns about inclusion in the hiring process.

Michael Watson, a local actor, expressed his interest in participating in the project and emphasized the importance of diversity in casting and crew selection. He urged the committee to consider opportunities for local talent, highlighting the potential for increased audience engagement and economic benefits.

The resolution aims to certify \"Project School\" as an eligible project under the strategic investment film incentive program, paving the way for further negotiations on film incentives to support local economic growth.