Oklahoma's Tanner Ray gears up for deadCenter Film Festival debut

Tanner Ray, who goes by the moniker "Wicked Stew," is an emerging Oklahoma filmmaker whose latest project, Connecting the Dots, is gaining recognition.

The film is a coming-of-age road trip story chronicling his 18-year-old self leaving his hometown and traveling across the U.S. with a stranger he barely knew.

From YouTube struggles to festival acceptance

Connecting the Dots premiered on YouTube on August 2, 2024. After spending a year driven by determination and caffeine to finish the film, Ray posted it online — only to have it removed shortly afterward. Reflecting on the setback, Ray shared a statement:

"It was one of my lowest moments chasing this filmmaking dream. With nothing to lose, I submitted it to deadCenter with zero expectations. Months passed. I kept making films and slowly pulled myself out of the rut. Then one day, I got the email that I’d been accepted. I didn’t believe it at first because I’ve been rejected from so many festivals until a friend called and told me he saw my film on the public schedule. That’s when I jumped out of my chair, called my mom, and cried."

The film will be restored to his YouTube channel, Tanner Ray, following its screening at deadCenter.

Growing as a filmmaker and community builder

Since his last appearance on The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch, Ray has shifted his focus toward narrative filmmaking.

He wrote his first narrative film, Love You, Bye, before ever working on a professional set.

Currently, Ray is preparing an IndieGoGo campaign to fund Love You, Bye, a rural coming-of-age story inspired by the documentary An Oklahoma Summer. The film centers on a skater kid who moves to a small farming town to live with his grandmother. Feeling out of place at first, the protagonist eventually finds a new family among a group of local "truck kids" who change his perspective on the town.

Alongside his filmmaking, Ray is actively building a creative community for young local artists in Tulsa. This "third space" aims to connect and support peers in collaboration and artistic projects.

He is also finishing a narrative short titled Everyone Loves an Underdog, a project deeply rooted in Tulsa’s culture. Ray plans to premiere the short at Guthrie Green soon.

Oklahoma’s supportive filmmaking scene

For Ray, the best part about making films in Oklahoma is the community. Unlike larger markets, he says Oklahoma’s film scene is less saturated and more welcoming.

"Everyone is kind, supportive, and wants to lift each other up," Ray said. "There are no gatekeepers here, it’s all love."

deadCenter Film Festival

The deadCenter Film Festival is a major annual event in Oklahoma City, showcasing local and national independent films.

Ray's film, Connecting the Dots, will be screened on Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m., and on Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. Both screenings will be at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in the Te Ata Theater.

Follow Ray's YouTube, Facebook page and Instagram for updates.

For a full schedule of screenings, visit deadCenter's website.

Image Provided By: Tanner Ray