Teens Film Movie At Tulsa Park Before Its Demolition

Production is under way on an award-winning movie script in Tulsa.

The movie is called "Life is a Struggle," and it highlights the peaks and valleys of being a teenager in today's society. The script won top prize at a national writing contest in Chicago earlier this year, and the crew spent Saturday taping scenes at B.C. Franklin Park.

And, while the young production crew may be putting a lot of work into the film, they say it's what they will get out of it that will stay with them.

"It allows the young people to get experience with film making, it also allows them to be involved in their community and be participants and not just spectators," Lester Shawn, executive director for Pocket Full Of Hope, the Tulsa nonprofit that is overseeing production.

The film deals with hard-hitting issues like neglect, relationships, the generation gap and even successes of young people.

The film almost didn't happen.

B.C. Franklin Park was supposed to be demolished this month, but Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett delayed it until after the movie was finished shooting.

"Hats off to the mayor," Shawn said. "We'd been planning this movie for over a year when we heard about plans of this park being closed. We were devastated.

"There are hundreds of kids in this neighborhood, and now maybe this will spark a new conversation about doing some great things with this park."

The filming, with the high participation from neighborhood kids, is something Shawn hopes is "a message that will resonate with city officials."

Pocket Full Of Hope is in negotiations with local venues for a screening of the movie later this spring.