For several years, state officials promoting film and TV production in Utah worked diligently to get a TV series — any TV series — to shoot in the state. Now there are several.
The latest is “Yellowstone,” a drama series starring Kevin Costner, which will shoot for four months this fall. Its production company, Fire and Ice Productions Inc., was approved for a tax credit incentive of more than $7.1 million by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board during its July meeting, tied to the 10-episode first season.
Variety has reported that “Yellowstone” will be the first scripted series for the Paramount Network, which will be the name of the network when Spike rebrands in January 2018 as part of restructuring at parent company Viacom.
The production is expected to spend about $28.5 million in Utah, including during principal photography set for Aug. 8-Dec. 14, and involve 323 cast and crew members. Shooting will occur in Wasatch and Summit counties and be based at the Park City Film Studio.
The series tells the story of the Dutton family, controllers of the largest contiguous ranch in the country, which finds its borders under threat. Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have signed on to star alongside Costner. The producer is John Vohlers, and the director is Taylor Sheridan, known for “Hell of High Water,” “Sicario” and the made-in-Utah “Wind River.”
“Utah is a really unique location as the mountains are so close to the city,” Sheridan said. “Coupled with its incentive program, experienced crew and the Park City Studios, I think Utah is at the forefront of what will become a much bigger film industry.”
Among TV series or pilots to be approved for incentives this year are an unnamed series being made by Vineyard Productions; the second seasons of “Andi Mack,” “Westworld” and “Dry Bar Comedy”; and the first two seasons of documentary TV series “Painting the Town.” There also have been digital platform series approved for incentives, including “The Student Body” and “Life After First Failure.”
“Yellowstone” was one of several productions approved for state incentives by the GOED board in July. Combined, they are expected to result in an economic impact of over $36 million and employ more than 500 local people. Among them was the pilot for another TV series and a comedy series that will run on the Internet.
GHS Productions Inc. was approved for a cash rebate incentive up to $148,908 for “Pupsicles,” a family series pilot. The production is expected to spend $744,541 in Utah, including during principal photography set for Aug. 16-20, primarily in Summit and Wasatch counties. “Pupsicles” tells the story of a family relocated from Florida to small-town Alaska and their adventures as they adjust to their new life. The director is Linda Mendoza. The producer is Richard G. King.
The web series is untitled but takes place in high school, where mean girls scheme for social justice in a place where popularity is measured in likes and retweets. Y&C Productions Inc. was approved for a cash rebate of up to $363,903 for the comedy series, which is expected to spend $1.45 million in Utah. Principal shooting takes place Aug. 14-25 in Salt Lake County. The director is Wendy Stanzier. The producer is Nicole Colombie.
Remnant Films LLC, makers of the romantic comedy feature film “Enchanted Christmas,” will spend $741,000 in Utah and qualified for a cash rebate of up to $148,200. Shooting is taking place through Aug. 7 in Salt Lake and Wasatch counties. The film tells the story of a successful single mom who returns to her hometown to renovate a lodge and rekindle a romance. The director is Terry Cunningham. The producer is Jarrod Philips.
Jenny Mackenzie Films LLC was approved for a cash rebate of up to $54,000 for the independent documentary “However Long.” The documentary about women who are living with metastatic breast cancer is expected to spend $272,000 in Utah, with principal photography set for Oct. 10-June 1, 2018. Mackenzie is the director and a producer along with Scott Thornton and Marissa Bernhard.
The GOED board also amended an earlier-approved incentive for Hereditary Film Productions LLC, makers of the independent feature drama/thriller “Hereditary.” It was approved for a tax credit incentive of up to $787,588 in January, based on in-state spending of $3.15 million. However, the company has increased its spending to $3.4 million, and the incentive was adjusted to up to $854,219.
“Working with filmmakers to tell premium stories with compelling characters and unique locations is key for us,” said Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission. “We are always happy to see talent return to Utah and to welcome new filmmakers to our community. Our goal remains to ensure that they have all the support and resources they need for production to run seamlessly and for them to return again and again to create award-winning content.”