Outlaw exPRESSions

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Filmmaking in Oklahoma

Many famous movies have been filmed in Oklahoma over the years and have drawn many people’s attention to the southern state.

Some of the most notable movies include: “Stillwater,” “Twister,” “The Outsiders” and “Where The Red Fern Grows.”

These creations have changed the course of filming and creating movies.

The first movie was filmed in December of 1895 in Paris, France.

Filmmakers used a device that made cinematographic images that had a camera, a projector and a film printer combined into one.

The first movie ever made in Oklahoma was the film “Oklahoma” which was produced in 1955.

One of Marlow’s students who graduated in 1990, Paul Sparks, starred in the film “The Greatest Showman” and portrayed a critic.

He has also been in many movies such as “The Night Of,” “Deception,” “Afterschool,”  “The Missing Person” and “Mud.”

Having taught Sparks in her drama class, Paula McConnell also teaches students about filming and creating movies in her seventh hour MultiMedia/Film class.

McConnell has been a teacher at Marlow High school for forty years and has taught Drama, Stagecraft and Algebra II.

The Multimedia class teaches students how to produce and edit their films that they make in class.

“Watching movies with special effects that almost seemed impossible made me want to try and create my own cool scenes,” stated Gracious McMains.

A student of McConnell’s for four years, McMains has learned various lessons through the teacher who has taught her in Drama, Stagecraft and Multimedia.

“McConnell has taught me to never give up and push myself,” noted McMains.

As McConnell reflected on her history at Marlow High School, she reminisced on her love for her craft.

“Drama hasn’t changed my life, it is my life,” stated McConnell.

Movies have made a very influential impact on the world and Oklahoma and will continue to make important impacts for years to come.

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