Film incentives mean 479 new jobs and $20 million to state economy

Three TV series in their second seasons are among seven productions approved for state tax incentives this month by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board.

The board, at its June meeting, approved the incentives tied to the creation of 479 local jobs and more than $20 million in spending by the production companies while in Utah.

The largest incentive, a tax credit of up to nearly $3.8 million, was approved for Horizon Productions Inc., which will shoot the 22-episode second season of “Andi Mack,” a Disney Channel comedy series. The show is expected to spend $15 million in Utah on the production, which includes 25 cast members and 190 crew members.

{mprestriction ids="1,3"}The series attracted nearly 40 million views on seven digital platforms. The first season was shot in Magna.

“I have shot all over the world, but Utah is now my favorite place to film,” said Michelle Manning, the show’s executive producer. “This show has a special place in my heart and in Season One, the cast and crew bond was like nothing I have ever experienced. It’s been a case of home-away-from-home for us and we’re eager to begin filming Season Two in and around Salt Lake City.”

Paul Hoen directs the show. Producers are Greg Hampson and Jeff Miller. Principal photography is set for July 10-Dec. 20.

Autonomy Productions LLC is expected to spend $3.1 million in Utah as part of the second season of “Westworld,” an HBO series. A tax credit of up to $780,799 was approved for the show, which will have principal shooting taking place Oct. 12-Nov. 3. Part of its first season was shot in Moab and Grand County.

“This was the most-watched first-season series ever on HBO,” Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, told the board, noting viewership reached 110 million. “This has been what we talk about when we talk about film tourism. It’s a great, quality show. There’s amazing talent behind it. It’s gotten a lot of buzz, both creatively and for the way that it looks.”

Jonathan Nolan is the director. Michael Polaire is the producer.

VidAngel Inc. was approved for a tax credit of up to $175,000 for the season of the TV series “Dry Bar Comedy.” The show, which features a search for the next big family-friendly standup comedian, will shoot through Sept. 30 in Provo. The series is expected to spend $875,000 in Utah, with 48 cast and 70 crew. Isaac Halasima is the director. Aaron Stephenson is the producer.

Cart Before the Horse LLC was approved for a tax credit of up to $104,577 for “Trek,” an independent comedy feature film. The story of a young pioneer on a trip of discovery is expected to shoot July 5-28, with the locations to be determined. The production is expected to spend $522,886 in Utah, with 27 cast and 30 crew. The director is Alan Peterson, who also is a producer along with David Howard.

Three features were approved for incentives under the Community Film Incentive Program, a cash rebate fund established to encourage up-and-coming, Utah-based talent to keep film projects in the state.

“We have a diverse set of productions filming in-state — from established national networks to smaller local teams,” Pearce said. “This was exactly our intension when we established the Community Film Incentive Program — to welcome and support talent from all angles and create the best possible content.”

Foundation Film Productions LLC was approved for $72,612 for the period drama “In Emma’s Footsteps.” The production is expected to spend $363,062 in Utah, with principal photography set this month in Provo, Orem and Salt Lake County. The production employs 38 cast and 26 crew. The director is Brittany Wiscombe. The producer is Brian Brough.

Port Hope LLC was approved for incentive of $73,104 for the independent horror feature “Paleface.” The production is expected to have five cast and 32 crew. Principal photography is set for July 5-22, with sites to be determined. The production is expected to spend $365,520 in Utah. A. Todd Smith is the director. Andrew Mecham and Jesse Ranney are producers.

Robber’s Roost LLC was approved for a cash rebate of up to $19,000 for “Robber’s Roost,” an independent thriller feature. Shooting occurred in April and May in Salt Lake City, and the production is expected to spend $95,000 in the state. Margot Kidder, famous for playing Lois Lane in the “Superman” movies starting in the late 1970s, is among the three cast members, and “Robber’s Roost” will have 16 crew members. Galen Rosenthal is the director. Producers are Dustin Puttuck, Galen Rosenthal and Matt Weight.

“Our locations and incentive programs continue to drive initial interest to film in Utah, and our crews drive these producers and directors to return,” Pearce said. “Our creative community is hard-working, professional and skilled, going above and beyond time and time again.”{/mprestriction}