'Pearl' first to qualify for Oklahoma film incentive


A film about the late Pearl Carter Scott, an Oklahoman who is well known as the youngest licensed pilot in America, is the first to qualify for the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program. The Chickasaw Nation is producing the movie through a contract with Media 13, a production company based in Oklahoma City. Media 13 applied for the rebate through the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission. The application met all requirements for prequalification.

"I can't think of a more worthy project for the state to get behind than "Pearl," a project honoring an Oklahoma pioneer like Pearl Carter," said Jill Simpson, Director of the Oklahoma Film & Music Office. "We hope this is the beginning of a long and successful working relationship with the Chickasaw Nation," said Simpson.

Filming of "Pearl" began Sept. 13 and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 8. Befriended by famous aviator Wiley Post in the late 1920s, Pearl earned her license at age 13 and was performing as a barnstormer and commercial pilot by age 14. The movie is being filmed on various locations in the state of Oklahoma, including the historic Harn Homestead, the El Reno Municipal Airport, the Jude and Jody Airport and several locations in and near Guthrie. Final determination of qualification for the rebate will be based on the company meeting requirements involving a distribution plan and documentation of the employment of Oklahomans in the production.