Go Utah looking at incentives for films set to shoot in state
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity board is expected to provide incentives soon to four film/series productions expected to spend nearly $2.9 million in the state.
At its regular August meeting, the Go Utah board lacked enough members to approve the incentives. It approved nonbinding votes of support for the projects. Incentive approvals were expected to take place at a special meeting Aug. 16, after SAlt LAke Business Journal deadlines, when the board was expected to have enough members.
The productions involve 409 jobs. The incentives total up to $498,408.
The board voted to support a cash rebate of up to $310,800 for Rad Content for its production of the streaming comedy series “Dusty Bluffs.” It is expected to spend $1.9 million in Utah, including during principal photography taking place through Sept. 29 in Carbon County.
“Dusty Bluffs” is expected to employ 81 cast, 36 crew and 150 extras. It tells the story of two best friends and paperboys in the rural town of Dusty Bluffs who must work together to save the town newspaper.
The director is MP Cunningham. Producers are Jed Ivie and Jeremy Jackson.
The board voted to support a cash rebate of up to $135,122.80 for Sanctuary Films LLC for its feature drama “Omaha.” It is expected to spend $703,553 in Utah and employ 20 cast, 40 crew and 37 extras. Principal photography is expected to run Aug. 21-Sept. 28 in Tooele County.
“Omaha” tells about a father struggling with debilitating grief over the sudden death of his wife. He embarks on a life-changing journey through the American West with his two young children. They discover that their destination, Nebraska, holds a different promise for everyone.
The director is Cole Webley. Producers are Russ Kendall and Preston Lee.
The board voted to support a $32,485.20 tax rebate incentive for Visual Transit Authority Corp. for its documentary production “Standout: The Ben Kjar Story, expected to spend $162,426 in Utah.
The production tells the story of Kjar, a Utah man who overcomes a debilitating facial disorder.
“Standout” will employ six cast and 10 crew. Principal photography is scheduled to take place through Jan. 31 in Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties.
The director is Tanner Christensen. He is also a producer, along with T.C. Christensen.
The board supported a $20,000 cash rebate incentive for First Gen Films LLC for “Inheritance to Love,” a feature comedy expected to spend $100,000 in Utah. It is expected to employ seven cast, 17 crew and five extras, including during shooting taking place through Aug. 31 in Salt Lake and Weber counties.
“Inheritance to Love” tells the story of former fiancés who stand to get a million-dollar inheritance if they can spend 10 days with each other in a secluded cabin.
Director is Anshuvijay Rode. Producers are Sukhmani Gill and Rohit Budhiraja.