"We're currently working on that to get it all legalized," Allen said.

Allen discussed his formative years, in which he dreamed of becoming involved in every stage of the filmmaking process "like Charlie Chaplin."

After being told by numerous people that if he wanted to succeed in film he needed to "go to Hollywood or leave the state," Allen said he became discouraged and joined the military.

"Through time, I kept in tune with the entertainment world and moving back to Oklahoma, I wanted to pursue it, filmmaking, but at the same time I was really passionate about ... when I was a kid, growing up here, turning that around to provide more opportunities. Luckily I was able to meet Randy (Aspell) and meet more and more people."

Allen said the Vacant Era Film Company "really started when we all got together. It didn't really start with just me or Randy. We were working on scripts and I guess we really started working this year with everybody involved."

He gave his appreciation to everyone who worked to make the festival happen and said the unofficial motto of the festival was that it was an event to get to know independent filmmakers, not just their films.

In keeping with that spirit, the Vacant Era Film Festival, unlike many other festivals, charged no submission fee for any of the films submitted.

Allen said the festival is here to showcase the works of anyone "from emerging artists, from student filmmakers, to ... veteran filmmaker(s)."

Also part of the festival, Allen said, are films from filmmakers hailing from Chicago, Florida, Washington state, France and Canada.

"It's that diversity that's going to help Oklahoma see what's going on outside of the state," Allen said.

Next, Bill Moore of the Oklahoma History Center, which opened in 2005, narrated a series of clips from the first 60 years of filmmaking in Oklahoma, which was followed by a performance by local musician Ali Harter.

The evening wrapped up with events including a showing of the film "Stark Fear" and a discussion with the director of the 1962 full-length thriller, Ned Hockman.

The festival, which also includes workshop sessions at Winans Fine Coffee and Chocolates, 207 E. Main St., and musical performances at Coach's Brewhouse, 110 W. Main St., continues through Sunday.

Adam Scott 366-3533 pop@normantranscript.com