Film tax incentives bring $7.8 million in video production to Utah

Brice Wallace

A series that’s a follow-on to a movie coming out in December has been approved for a state tax credit incentive.

Shot entirely in Davis County, “Homestead” is being produced and distributed by Angel Studios, based in Provo. It was one of four productions approved for more than $1.9 million in incentives recently by the Utah Board of Tourism Development. Combined, the productions are expected to spend $7.8 million in Utah.

The movie “Homestead” is scheduled for a theatrical release Dec. 20. It tells the story of a family trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world at a prepper compound called “The Homestead” despite resource wars and ideological conflicts.

The series is expected to spend $1.6 million in Davis County, with production (including pre- and post-production) taking place through December. The production company is expecting to employ 94 cast and crew and 250 extras. It qualified for a tax credit incentive of up to $402,188.

The series will star Neal McDonough (“Tulsa King”) and Dawn Olivieri (“1883”). Producers are Markus Bishop-Hill, Ben Kasica and Jason Ross.

“The local cast and crew here are top-notch — everyone’s talented and easy to work with,” Kasica said. “On top of that, the potential tax incentives help make it all come together, so Utah really stood out as the best place to bring this project to life.”

“This local story, combined with talented local cast and crew we’ve accumulated, paired with the backdrop of the staggering Wasatch Mountains, makes this project the perfect example of the Utah Film Commission’s slogan ‘The Story is Utah,’” Bishop-Hill said.

Among the other productions awarded incentives by the tourism board is “The Promised Land,” a comedy with a pilot available on YouTube. The mockumentary-style series is about Moses leading his people across the desert.

“The Promised Land” will shoot entirely in Washington County and is expected to spend more than $3.3 million. It will employ 66 cast and crew and 1,400 extras. Production will take place through November. Producers are Richie Johns, Justin Tolley and Jeremy Crouch. The series qualified for an incentive of up to $830,486.

“The support from Utah not only helps us bring our vision to life, but also creates valuable opportunities for local talent and crew,” Johns said.

Autumn in Utah would not be completed without a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie being shot in the state. “Deck the Walls” will shoot entirely in Utah, with locations in Summit, Utah and Wasatch counties.

The production is expected to spend $2.3 million in Utah, including employing 88 cast and crew and 150 extras. Producers are David Wulf and Camden Simmons.

“Deck the Walls” was approved for an incentive of up to $575,000. The film tells the story of a young home decorator helping her brother provide a Christmas miracle for a family in need. The film stars Ashley Greene (“Twilight”) and Wes Brown (“Haul Out the Holly”) and is scheduled to premiere on Nov. 29 as part of the network’s annual “Countdown to Christmas” lineup.

The horror film “Curse of Crom 2: Crom’s Fury” was approved for an incentive of up to $117,553, based on expected spending in Utah of $587,765. A follow-on to “Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween,” the newer production will shoot in Tooele, Utah and Wasatch counties and employ 34 cast and crew and 15 extras. A small part of the production will be shot in Ireland.

Producers are Jason Faller, Kynan Griffin and Rob York, with York also directing. Production (including pre- and post-production) will take place through September of next year.

“The film tax incentives offered by Utah have been instrumental in bringing this project to life, particularly during a challenging time for independent filmmaking,” Faller said. “These incentives have made it possible for us to produce ‘Crom 2’ in a location that not only fits our creative vision but also supports the film industry here at home.”