Movie Filming at Stillwater High School Seeks Community Extras

A film production shooting at Stillwater High School is seeking community members to serve as extras for two key scenes filming Friday and Sunday.

"Thirteen Folds," directed by and starring actor Sean Patrick Flanery, needs extras for a downtown church scene Friday, Dec. 12, and a Fieldhouse wrestling scene Sunday, Dec. 14, according to a Stillwater Public Schools press release issued Wednesday.

The Sunday scene will film a wrestling match between the Stillwater Pioneers and visiting Blackwell Maroons and requires a large crowd to recreate the atmosphere of a Pioneer Wrestling event. Filming with extras is anticipated to begin around noon Sunday, with a call for a large crowd to be in the Fieldhouse around 2 p.m. for key scenes, including the National Anthem sung by SPS students and crowd reaction shots.

Actor and director Sean Patrick Flanery, walks with crew members on the track at Stillwater High School's Pioneer Stadium, while crew members, right photo, film from the bleachers during production of "Thirteen Folds." – Photo by Chris Peters

"We'd love to have as many extras as possible show up to represent Stillwater, wear SPS gear, and cheer on Pioneer Wrestling on screen," Flanery said in the release.

The family-friendly film follows a young SHS wrestler's journey of growth and excellence following a personal loss, celebrating the spirit of perseverance deeply rooted in the wrestling community.

Flanery, known for his roles in The Boondock Saints and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, relocated his family to Stillwater last year after falling in love with the town during a visit for his son's wrestling camps.

"This movie is a love letter to not only wrestling but also to the town of Stillwater," Flanery said. "This community has a reputation for greatness in wrestling, at the college, high school, and youth levels. It's the home of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for a reason. When I started writing this script, I knew I wanted it set in Stillwater, to pay tribute to this place and these amazing programs."

Actress Eliana Behrend and Charlie Flanery film a scene on the track at Stillwater High School's Pioneer Stadium during production of "Thirteen Folds." The film, directed by Charlie's father Sean Patrick Flanery. – Photos by Chris Peters

The cast includes Flanery, his sons Charlie and Porter, Eliana Behrend, Australian actress Nicky Whelan, Kevin Sorbo, Johnathon Schaech, John Smith and Wyatt Hendrickson. Country music star Trace Adkins was briefly attached to the project but was unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts, according to the release.

Extras are welcome to attend and observe filmmaking. Those who can commit to several hours may be paid, and snacks and giveaways will be provided.

Interested individuals should contact 13foldoffice@gmail.com with "Extras" in the subject line.

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The production also offers a hands-on learning opportunity for SHS students. Theatre Teacher Elizabeth Ziegler is coordinating the use of SHS acting students as extras and background performers as part of their coursework.

"They're all really excited to get to experience a different side of the theatre world, as most of what we can do at SHS is on stage and not film," Ziegler said. "It's a great opportunity for our students to work with industry professionals and be able to put a really cool project on their resumes as some of them move into collegiate theatre and beyond."

Filming in Stillwater began Tuesday, Dec. 9. Stillwater High School will be prominently featured in the film.

"This is an exciting development for SPS," Barry Fuxa, public relations and communications coordinator, said. "Film production is an economic opportunity for our town and one that's growing in our state. Filming in Oklahoma is on the rise, and thanks to programs like those at Meridian Technology Center, productions are increasingly crewed by Oklahomans. This offers a great educational opportunity for many of our students, and a chance to share the Pioneer culture with the world."