'High School Musical' back in Utah

The state of Utah, Salty Pictures Inc. and Disney will continue to make beautiful economic music.

The second season of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” will shoot in Utah next year, continuing a string of “High School Musical” productions shot in the state since 2005.

Salty Pictures Inc. was approved for tax credit incentive of up to $6 million by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board at the board’s November meeting. The incentive is based on the production’s expected spending of nearly $24.4 million in Utah.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

The first season of the show premiered on Disney+ earlier this month. Shooting for the 10-episode second season is expected to take place Feb. 12-July 19 in Salt Lake City and involve 30 cast members, 160 crew members and 3,254 extras.

The show tells the story of students at East High School focusing on their next performance in the upcoming spring musical. It was created and is executive-produced by Tim Federle (“Ferdinand”). The director is Joanna Kerns. Producers are Barry Rosenbush and Mary Pantelidis.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the next chapter of ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ to Disney+,” Ricky Strauss, president of content and marketing for Disney+, said in a prepared statement. “Tim and this talented cast have delivered a first season that is uplifting, funny, touching and relatable across generations. We are confident that the world, like us, will want much more of these characters, incredible songs and moments of joy.”

Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, told the GOED board that two seasons of this show and three seasons of “Andi Mack” represent continuing Disney support for Utah as a production hub.

“Overall, I think this is a total win for us, because in the first episode … they say, ‘We are in Salt Lake.’ They really are using the location as a character, which is a great thing for us,” Pearce said.

Three prior “High School Musical” iterations — a TV show shot in 2005 and airing in 2006, a TV sequel in 2007 and a feature film in 2008 — all were shot in Utah. In September of this year, the GOED board increased its tax rebate incentive for the 10-episode first season of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” The incentive originally was approved last year for up to $3.7 million, based on expected spending in Utah of $14.7 million. The change increased the incentive to nearly $3.9 million, based upon the in-state spending estimate increasing by about $700,000.

The “High School Musical” series was one of four productions awarded incentives during the GOED board’s November meeting.

South Bay Productions LLC was approved for a cash rebate incentive of up to $315,836 for “Wireless,” an episodic thriller. The company is projected to spend $1.26 million in Utah, including during principal photography set for Dec. 4-17 in Salt Lake and Weber counties. The production is expected to employ five cast, 50 crew and 120 extras.

“Wireless” tells the story of a self-obsessed teen who is stranded in the mountains and whose only hope for survival is his iPhone. It stars Tye Sheridan (“Ready Player One,” “X-Men: Apocalypse”). The director is Zach Wechter. Among the producers are Andrew Reyes, Isabel San Vargas and Christian Heyer.

The GOED board approved a cash rebate of up to $13.200 for All Hallows Day Eve LLC for its production titled “All Hallows Day Eve,“ a horror feature written and directed by Utah native Nick Jensen. He is also listed as a producer along with Ian Lucas and James W. Lucas.

The production is expected to spend about $66,000 in Utah, including during principal shooting that took place earlier this month in Davis County. The production involves 12 cast and 15 crew.

“For us, this project is the culmination of years of hard work and passion,” Jensen said. “To be able to make this project here, in our home state of Utah, with Utah-grown talent, is a dream come true. I am excited to show off all that this state has to offer.”

Rocketboy LLC was approved for a cash rebate of up to $9,280 for the feature documentary “Rocketboy,” which tells the story of Steve Heller and Riley Meik, two engineers-turned-entrepreneurs, as they prepare for their first commercial rocket launch from Utah-based Sugarhouse Aerospace.

The production is expected to spend $46,400, including during shooting taking place through May 30 in Salt Lake and Utah counties and post-production through Dec. 1. The production includes two cast members and 10 crew.

The director is Allyse Clegg. Producers are Karina Orton and Scott Christopherson.

“We are so excited to film in Utah,” Orton said. “It’s wonderful to follow groundbreaking stories that take place in Utah, where all of our crew has spent so much time. Having been Utah-based for so long already, we’re also grateful to work with experienced crew we know well.”{/mprestriction}