Incentives bringing three film productions to Utah, creating 175 local jobs

Two series and one feature film have been approved for state incentives by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board.

The board approved the incentives during its April meeting. Combined, the productions are expected to generate an estimated economic impact of $1.9 million and create approximately 175 local jobs.

Yellow Wood Productions was approved for a cash rebate of up to $141,723 for its production of “Wilderness Therapy,” a series expected to spend $708,614 in Utah.

Twelve cast, 45 crew and 100 extras are expected to be involved, including during principal shooting May 17-25 in Utah and Kane counties.

The production tells the story of a 30-year-old man-child mistaken for troubled teen and forcibly enrolled in a wilderness therapy program run by an eccentric old man and his granddaughter.

The director is Mitch Davis, who also is a producer along with Brigham Taylor.

“My home and my heart are in Utah,” Davis said. “So are the unparalleled scenery and talented filmmakers. I am so glad the film incentive made it possible for me to film here, where this story belongs.”

The GOED board approved a cash rebate of up to $140,000 for Heck Inc. for its production of the second season of “Freelancers,” an episodic comedy. The production is expected to spend $700,000 in Utah, including during principal photography taking place through May 21 in Utah County. The production is expected to involve 25 cast, 50 crew and 100 extras.

“Freelancers” is a YouTube series featuring five goofy best friends trying to make it as filmmakers.

The director is Jeremy Warner. Produces are Phillip Goodwin and Michael Potter.

“Coming from California, Utah is such a liberating place to film,” Goodwin said. “Every step of the process is smoother and easier. Everyone is so accommodating, from locations to rental houses, and the film commission is extremely responsive, so we feel total access to all these resources. It’s very encouraging to work in a place that’s so welcoming to the filmmaking process, and has so much talent to offer across the state. You can film anything in Utah.”

The board approved a cash rebate of up to $106,589 for See You in a Bit LLC for its production of “The Thing with Feathers,” a feature thriller. Six cast, 38 crew and 50 extras are expected to be involved, with principal photography scheduled for April 26-May 14 in Summit, Davis and Salt Lake counties.

The production is expected to spend $532,946 in Utah.

“The Thing With Feathers” is a contemporary psychological thriller in which teenager Anna befriends an online stranger while her mother struggles to defend their hard-won life from a secretive stranger bent on destruction.

The director is Amy Redford. Producers are Eden Wurmfeld and Daren Smith.

“Putting my deep history with the state aside, what I have come to know about the film ecosystem in Utah made this the perfect place to shoot a contained thriller that evokes ‘everywhere USA,’” Redford said.

“There is a hardworking, unflappable and unfussy nature of the crew here that adds to efficiency, creativity and overall good times. So much to choose from in this state. You can be anywhere or only here.”