Film incentives will bring $9.7 million in economic impact and 275 jobs to Utah

Four film and TV productions were approved this month for state economic incentives to shoot in Utah.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board, at its January meeting, approved the incentives for the productions, which are expected to have a total economic impact of approximately $9.7 million and create more than 275 local jobs.

Happy Planet LLC was approved for a tax credit of up to $681,850 for “9 Years to Neptune,” a narrative series that is a collaboration with Utah-based Cosmic Pictures for BYU TV. It is a scripted, comedy-driven educational TV series featuring a spaceship full of puppets and one human headed for the galaxy’s most distant planet.

The production is expected to spend more than $4.5 million in Utah and employ 11 cast members and 44 crew. Principal photography is scheduled for May 19-Sept. 18 in Salt Lake and Utah counties. The producers are Benton Paul and Peter McKellar. The directors are Tyler McKellar and Greg Kiefer.

Cabin in the Woods LLC was approved for a tax credit up to $375,000 for the family feature “Haul Out the Holly,” which is expected to spend $2.5 million in Utah and employ 44 cast, 100 crew and 350 extras.

Principal photography is set for March 2-April 17 in Salt Lake and Davis counties. The film tells the story of a woman who throws a living funeral for herself and must make peace with her loved ones before she is gone forever. The producers are John Kelly (“127 Hours”) and Kelly Pendygraft. The director is Mandy Fabian.

Camera 40 Productions LLC was approved for a cash rebate of up to $225,000 for the third season of the science fiction/fantasy series “The Outpost,” which airs on the CW Network and SyFy Channel internationally. The production, based in Springville, is expected to spend $1.5 million in Utah and employ five cast, 25 crew and 10 extras.

Principal photography is set for March 1-8 in Utah, Juab and Summit counties. The producers are Jonathan English and Jennifer Kirkham. Directors are Janathan Glassner and Marc Roskin.

A&P Productions LLC was approved for a cash rebate of up to $174,074 for an as-yet-untitled episodic documentary for a streaming service. The series will focus on tale of forger Mark Hofmann. The production is expected to spend $1.16 million in Utah and employ five cast, 41 crew and 10 extras.

Principal photography will take place through June 27 in Salt Lake and Utah counties. The directors are Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite”) and Tyler Measom (“Sons of Perdition”). The producer has not been determined.

“These four projects showcase how Utah is a great fit for a wide variety of productions,” said Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission. “Our goal has always been to encourage and develop local talent, as well as out-of-state productions, and I’m thrilled to have a selection of both filming here this winter.”