Incentives mean six productions will shoot in Utah and spend $10 million

Utah’s film production crews will be busy this summer. The state has approved incentives for six productions to be shot in the state during the next few months, leading to the spending of more than $10 million locally.

Utah’s film production crews will be busy this summer. The state has approved incentives for six productions to be shot in the state during the next few months, leading to the spending of more than $10 million locally.

The incentives were approved by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board at its June meeting.

“It’s a big summer for us,” Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, told the board, noting that the productions will employ a total of about 100 cast members and nearly 400 crew members.

During the just-concluded fiscal year, 19 projects have been approved to film in Utah, with an estimated economic impact of $72 million.

Productions approved for tax credit incentives approved through the state’s Motion Picture Incentive Program in June are:

• Brigsby Bear LLC, an incentive of up to $625,000 for “Brigsby Bear,” an independent comedy feature expected to spend $2.5 million in Utah. Principal photography is set for July 19-Aug. 23 in the Greater Salt Lake City area.

Director Dave McCary currently works as a writer and director at “Saturday Night Live” and is a founding member of the sketch comedy group Good Neighbor with Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett and Nick Rutherford. “Brigsby Bear” was written by Mooney — who also stars as the lead character, James — and Kevin Costello. The movie will tell the story of “Brigsby Bear Adventures,” a children’s TV show produced for an audience of one, James. When the show abruptly ends, James realizes that everything about his life is a lie, and he must learn to cope with the realities of a new world that he knows nothing about.

• Marigold Pictures Inc., an incentive of up to $454,246 for “Deidra & Laney Rob a Train,” an independent comedy feature expected to spend $1.8 million in Utah. Shooting is scheduled for July 5-Aug. 6 and will take place in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Heber.

The film tells the story of two teenage girls who start robbing trains to support the family after their mother goes to jail.

“This is considered a low-budget film by Hollywood standards but this is our perfect niche,” Pearce told the GOED board. “We love those films between $1 million and $4 million. This is kind of our ‘sweet spot.’”

• Doty Dayton Films LLC, an incentive of up to $43,000 for “Drop Off,” an independent family feature expected to spend $215,000 in Utah. Shooting is set for July 5-9.

The film is about three underprivileged boys have a million dollars dropped in their laps by criminals on the run. They are faced with learning the hard way that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of grief and danger.

• AFMD Movie LLC, an incentive of up to $787,500 for “A Few Minor Distractions,” an independent family feature expected to spend $3.15 million in Utah. Shooting begins in August and will take place in Daybreak, Bountiful and Valley City.

The plot focuses on Megan Lang, who left a promising career in music to raise children, and her path intersects with her brother Joey’s, who left his child to pursue music. They challenge each other’s choices and what it takes to blend art and obligation when life provides a few minor distractions.

“Utah provides a beautiful landscape and wealth of resources and friendly people — starting with the wonderful film commission and cascading down through qualified crew — who are eager to assist our film projects,” said Autumn McAlpin, writer and director of the film. “[Co-producer] John (Kelly) has brought several films here for this reason, and we are excited to bring a second film here to build another creative film family.”

• Valley of the Gods Inc., an incentive of up to $321,009 for “Valley of the Gods,” an independent drama feature expected to spend $1.28 million in Utah. Principal photography is scheduled through July 2 in Salt Lake City and the Monument Valley area.

The film is rooted in the Navajo creation story and follows three different narratives, those of John, Wes and Grey Horse, a feisty young Navajo. The three narratives intersect, creating a fascinating, mysterious and idiosyncratic vision of America.

• Damsel Productions Inc., an incentive of up to $337,101 for a production with the placeholder name “ZB Pioneer Film,” an independent western feature expected to spend $1.3 million in Utah. Principal photography is set for July 11-Sept. 2 in the Wasatch Mountains and Summit County.

Pearce said the film will use an “old West” set that had been built near the Salt Lake City International Airport and will be rebuilt in Summit County.

“This has been an incredible year for film in Utah, and we are glad to support these artists through a number of creative and financial angles that will continue to bring large returns and job opportunities to the state,” Pearce said. “Utah’s beauty and local expertise continues to attract a wide variety of projects and artists to create work here.”