Bud Elder

Bud Elder is a true original, a self-described “piece of work” and we’re very pleased to say a regular Columnist for The Digital Bits, who joined the staff in February 2013.

Bud studied film and English Literature at the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  He joined the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation department in 1987 and co-created the popular Discover Oklahoma TV program, of which he produced some 250 episodes.  In 1995, Bud became the state’s film commissioner and worked tirelessly to build Oklahoma as a popular location for film and TV production.  In this capacity, Bud met scores of well known producers, directors and actors with which he’s developed lasting friendships.  Bud has also served as the managing editor of Distinctly Oklahoma magazine, has worked as an adjunct professor of writing, literature and film at various colleges and Universities, owns his own restaurant (Custino’s Italian Kitchen) and has even hosted a number of local radio programs.  A longtime film reviewer (his first were published in a student newspaper in 1975), Bud’s been a Bits reader from the early days of the site and enjoyed a friendship with longtime Bits columnist Barrie Maxwell.  You can read his thoughts on film and stories about his long association with the industry in his regular column here at the site, View from the Cheap Seats.

Bud lives with his wife Barbie and their family in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.