Local Film Company Working On Video To Attract Tesla To Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. - Tesla drivers and film crews spent Wednesday getting shots for a video they hope will help convince Tesla to build its next assembly plant in Tulsa.

The Associated Press said Tesla has narrowed down its nationwide search to Tulsa and Austin, Texas.

The film crew worked with Tesla drivers to shoot video at 10 locations around the city, including several locations downtown, Black Wall Street, Gathering Place and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Teslas weren't the only cars involved in Wednesday’s hype. Lowriders lined up to make some noise and make an entrance for the Teslas driving near the Guthrie Green. 

The electric cars made appearances all over downtown. Chad Monhollon showed off his Model 3, hoping to be a small part of convincing Tesla to come to Tulsa.

"It's extremely centrally located and it's kind of truck country, so might as well,” Monhollon said.

Also, downtown, the Tulsa Ballet performed for the first time in a while, after the end of the season was canceled because of the virus.

"We were just so excited to dance again and come together, put our costumes on, our hair, our makeup,” Tulsa Ballet Dancer Regina Montgomery said.

The group danced in front of the Woody Guthrie mural.

Retrospec Films, based in Tulsa, is working on the video.

Montgomery said she's one of eight dancers who found out Tuesday they would be a part of the video and calls it an "honor" to be featured.

"It's awesome because Tulsa is such a beautiful city and there's so much going on here that I think a lot of people don't know,” Montgomery said.

Over at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, a dozen Tesla drivers used the charging stations there before continuing the shoot the rest of the day.

A grassroots group called "Tulsa 4 Tesla" made its message clear at the University of Tulsa football stadium. About 40 people laid down on the field to spell it out.

"I'm energized – I’m excited,” McKenna Raley said.

She helped organize the event, and had this message for Elon Musk:

"I'd look him right in the eye and say, 'Tulsa's better than Texas,’” she said, as she flashed the "horns down" hand gesture.