The Tulsa Regional Tourism and Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC) have announced that Meg Gould will serve as the executive director of Tulsa FMAC. Gould will assume her role and duties effective January 17.
The announcement follows months of strategic review and assessment of Tulsa FMAC programming, future needs for the film, music and arts communities in the region, and careful consideration amongst the Tulsa FMAC board as well as key industry stakeholder input.
“Our search for the right person for the job included careful insight from our Tulsa FMAC board and task force members and consultation with peer film offices within the state reviewing our collective goals,” said Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “I couldn’t be more pleased and excited about what Meg’s robust experience and national and local connections within the film and creative industries will bring when coupled with the region’s already strong community and potential.”
Tulsa FMAC’s film and music enablement duties have continued to increase during pandemic years empowered by awarded CARES Act and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding from Tulsa County through programs like the Film Tulsa film fund and Play Tulsa Music. In its most recent fiscal year (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022), Tulsa FMAC assisted in 28 film and television productions and in calendar year 2022 facilitated more than 1,600 live music events. Gould’s role will serve as a connective tissue for maintaining such successful programs for Tulsa’s creative industries while ushering in new solutions.
Gould arrives in the Tulsa market as an accomplished film and creative industries professional with 30 years of experience across many facets of the business. Her background in premieres, film festival event planning, crew and location database management, and production assistance–at high volumes including up to 350 productions per year–immediately position her to maintain current film and television momentum while integrating with local and statewide partners.
“I’ve been fortunate to have served on many industry panels with Meg, so I’m very aware of her passion and capabilities. Now, I’m looking forward to working in tandem to further grow and advance our production crews, leverage Oklahoma’s amazing locations, and drive economic development through this thriving industry,” said Jeanette Stanton, director of Oklahoma Film + Music Office. “Tulsa is a key player in the state’s film and television success, and we couldn’t be happier with the talent they’ve added to our statewide film and television ecosystem. This is great for Tulsa, and this is great for Oklahoma.”
Her film career began in Los Angeles working on such projects as “Godzilla” (with Matthew Broderick), the Academy Awards, the World Cup, Garth Brooks’ “Red Strokes” music video and many other film and television productions as a Production Coordinator, Production Manager and Producer. After moving back to Dallas to work on “Walker, Texas Ranger,” Gould joined the Dallas Film Commission, a department of VisitDallas, and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director. During her time, she notably helped retain filming for the television series “Dallas” for an additional three seasons. Gould was eventually instrumental in the rebranding of the Dallas Film and Creative Industries Office (DFCIO) which included developing a new website and the creative industries directory, as well as obtaining the Texas Music Friendly Community Certification.
Now, having served with the Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, VisitDallas, the USA Film Festival, and garnering over a decade of freelance production coordination and management in Los Angeles and Dallas, Gould’s unique experience in film and tourism will offer a seasoned lens and perspective to the region.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Meg for many years and have served alongside her as members of the Association of Film Commissioners International. Her depth of experience working in the film industry in addition to her network and reliability will also contribute to the success of her role,” said Tava Maloy Sofsky, director and film commissioner of Cherokee Nation Film Office.
In addition to her industry knowledge, Gould has experience serving on or within various professional organizations to stay ahead of trends including Texas Associations of Film Commissions, Texas Motion Picture Alliance and Women in Film, Dallas, and the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) where she is in the final stages of the Certified Film Commissioner program.
“We’re thrilled to know our neighboring film office has secured such a good fit for this crucial role and look forward our continued partnership alongside Tulsa FMAC to take film and television in the region next level,” said Jennifer Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film.
Joining Gould at Tulsa FMAC is University of Tulsa graduate and former Tulsa FMAC contractor, Natalie Dankert, as the new Tulsa FMAC manager. Dankert has worked extensively with Tulsa FMAC for more than a year to execute Play Tulsa Music, assist in the planning and executing of Tulsa’s massive band and artist representation at SXSW 2022 in Austin, TX and has managed Tulsa FMAC’s social media content, channels, and response since August of 2022.
“Tulsa is a very unique city with a diverse and nuanced community of film and television professionals, photographers, musicians, producers, stage performers and visual artists. The list goes on. We’re truly a city of artistic expression,” said Mark Frie, Tulsa FMAC chair and CEO of Tulsa Performing Arts Center. “That’s why it is critical to get the right people leading organizations and initiatives that empower these direct contributors to our culture and very identity. I could not be more pleased and energized to continue my support and leadership roles with Tulsa FMAC alongside Meg and Natalie.”
Gould and Dankert’s first week together will include a visit to Sundance Film Festival to amplify “Fancy Dance,” a project supported by both Film Tulsa and the Cherokee Nation Film Office, which will premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
“It is no secret that Tulsa’s reputation in the film industry continues to grow rapidly,” Gould said. “Coupling that with a rich history and lineage in both live and recorded music and countless inspiring performing and visual arts communities throughout, I am so thrilled to join this remarkable region and, in all sincerity, cannot wait to dive in to amplify, enable and contribute.”
