Brice Wallace
Despite labor strikes by actors and writers, Utah has been able to keep some smaller film productions rolling.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah), at its September meeting, approved incentives for two productions and boosted an incentive for a production that spent more in the state than originally expected.
The projects are projected to spend a total of nearly $1.8 million in Utah.
The Go Utah board approved a cash rebate incentive of up to $180,000 for Tacloban Films LLC for “Angels in the Mine,” a family feature expected to spend $900,000 in Utah. It will employ 40 cast, 30 crew and 150 extras, including during principal photography scheduled through Oct. 6 in Tooele and Utah counties.
Based on a true story, the film will tell about a community’s effort to rescue 10-year-old Joshua Dennis from an abandoned mine in the mountains of Stockton, Utah.
The director is Garrett Batty, who also is a producer along with Daren Smith.
Mouse Film LLC was approved for an incentive of up to $22,600 for “Mouse,” a feature drama expected to spend $113,000 in Utah. It is expected to have 18 cast, 16 crew and 85 extras, including during principal photography taking place through Oct. 10 in Salt Lake and Weber counties.
“Mouse” tells the story of a lonely man who commits petty crimes but who meets a woman in a pen pal service who scams lonesome and unsuspecting people.
The director is Kenny Riches. Producers are Dave Moppert and Jack Hessler.
The Go Utah board approved an amended incentive for The Chosen Texas LLC for the fourth season of “The Chosen.” The original tax credit incentive, approved in March, was for up to $638,787 but now is up to $713,787 because the company boosted its in-state spending from nearly $3.2 million to more than $3.95 million. Shooting took place in June and July in Utah County.