Incentives bringing more films to Utah

A couple of media productions — one a feature film and another a web series — have completed principal photography in Utah after having received incentives from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development board.

Having its August meeting in Park City, the board approved a cash rebate of up to $152,830 for the series “Agua Donkeys” and a rebate of up to $20,000 for “Pitching Love and Catching Faith 2: Double Play.”{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

Funny or Die Media Inc. will receive the incentive for “Agua Donkeys,” which is expected to spend $764,154 in Utah and have 36 cast members, 35 crew members and 18 extras. Principal photography took place in August.

The series tells the story of a pair of pool-cleaning workers trying to get the perfect tan, score a date with a co-worker and planning for an epic rooftop-to-pool jump. The stars are MP Cunningham and Jer Jackson. Cunningham is the director and also a producer along with Jackson.

Star Mountain Films LLC was awarded the cash rebate for “Pitching Love and Catching Faith 2: Double Play,” a feature drama expected to spend $100,000 in Utah. Principal photography was completed in August. The production has nine cast members, 17 crew and 20 extras.

A follow-up to the first installment, in 2015, the film tells the story of an injured baseball player who must choose between his career and the love for an old flame. Directors are Rebecca Sternberg and Randolph B. Sternberg. Producers include Randolph B. Sternberg.

The GOED board also approved an amendment to an incentive awarded in June for Nine Days 5 Utah Inc. for its production of “Nine Days,” a feature drama. The original incentive was for a tax credit of up to $700,000, based on expected spending of $2.8 million in Utah. The incentive was increased to up to $750,000 based on spending of $3 million.

The production involves 25 cast and 50 crew. “Nine Days” tells the story of a reclusive man living in a different reality and interviewing candidates for the privilege to be born. It stars Bill Skarsgård (“It,” “Allegiant”), Zazie Beetz (“Atlanta,” “Deadpool 2”) and Winston Duke (“Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War”). The writer/director is Edson Oda, who attended Sundance Institute’s 2018 Screenwriters Lab with the project. Producers are Jason Berman, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall.{/mprestriction}