Artform Agency: Bringing Stories to Life
At Artform Agency, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, cultures, and businesses. Recently, we had the privilege of filming a documentary about Miami Nation Enterprises (MNE), the economic arm of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. This project presented a unique challenge: to tell the story of MNE while honoring the rich history and culture of the Miami Tribe.
Our team, including Joe Ennis (Lead Podcast Producer), Raitchele Arnell (Director or Marketing and Advertising), and Hunter Waring (Senior Digital Coordinator), collaborated closely to craft a compelling script and storyboard that would capture the essence of MNE’s mission. With everything in place, we embarked on our journey to Miami, Oklahoma.
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Brett Ludeke, a key partner who ensured we had all the equipment necessary for the shoot. Miami Oklahoma, a small town with a big personality, provided a stunning backdrop. Its murals, the sound of Harley-Davidsons, and the occasional train passing through added to the town’s unique charm—elements we captured through our cameras and aerial drones.
Our first day of filming included an introduction to Lance Theobald, CEO of MNE. We documented his walk through the town, capturing the very streets where MNE’s journey began. The local community was incredibly supportive, with residents even pausing traffic to allow us to get the perfect shot.
We set up a small studio in the Tribe’s headquarters, a building rich with tribal artwork and history. Here, we conducted our first interview with Lance. He spoke about MNE’s mission to foster economic independence for the Miami Tribe, explaining how the company’s efforts are helping the Tribe reclaim their ancestral lands.
Our day continued with a visit to Chief Douglas Lankford. We filmed him as he shared the significance of the Tribe’s land and how MNE’s success is contributing to the Tribe’s long-term vision. As the Oklahoma sun set, we wrapped up our first day of filming, grateful for the opportunity to document such a meaningful story.
The following day, we met with Mika Leonard, Operations Manager at MNE, who guided us through the MNE offices and the Tribe’s cemetery. Mika’s pride in her work was incredible as she shared how MNE is helping the Miami Tribe to be self-reliant and economically independent, a theme that resonated throughout our documentary.
After capturing the final shots of the breathtaking Oklahoma landscape, we felt confident that we had everything we needed to tell MNE’s story. As we packed up our gear and drove through the streets of Miami, Oklahoma, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to work with such an inspiring organization.
Miami Nation Enterprises is much more than just another government contracting company, and Artform Agency is excited to bring their story to life.
