Utah Film Commission

Film Commission

The Utah Film Commission markets the entire state as a location for film, television and commercial production by promoting the use of local professionals, support services and Utah locations. The film commission is a client driven program, which serves international, out-of-state and in-state production companies along with Utah support services and crew.

Utah Code Ann. § 63M-1-1805 MOTION PICTURE INCENTIVE FUND

The purpose of the Motion Picture Incentive Fund (MPIF) is to encourage the use of Utah as a destination for the production of motion pictures, television series, and made-for-television movies. The State of Utah provides financial incentives to the film industry so that the state is capable of competing successfully with other states and countries that offer film production incentives. The MPIF allows the state to foster a strong local motion picture industry that will contribute substantially to improving the state’s economy.

The MPIF functions as a tax credit or cash rebate for approved productions and operates on a post performance basis on expenditures that are made in the state.

State Approved Rebate Percentages

•Tax Credit – 20% on dollars left in the state with no per project cap •Cash Rebate – 20% on dollars left in the state up to $500,000 per project •Cash Rebate – 15% on dollars left in the state up to $30,000 per project

Dollars Left in the State Requirements

•Minimum $1 million spend for the 20% incentive •Minimum $200,000 spend for the 15% incentive

Funds Allocated for Tax Credit

• Fiscal Years 2010 - 2011: $15,587,400

Funds Allocated for Cash Rebate

• Fiscal Year 2010: $2,206,300 • Fiscal Year 2011: $2,206,300

Fiscal Year 2009 MPIF Report

For FY 2009 the MPIF operated with a 15% cash rebate with per project cap of $500,000. The only exception was “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” which was given a special appropriation by the Utah State Legislature due to its high economic impact and job creation.

“Frozen,” on location, Snowbasin Ski Resort.

PRODUCTIONS JOBS DAYS INCENTIVE AMOUNT ECONOMIC IMPACT S Darko 70 30 $270,160.00 $1,801,063.93 The Assignment 85 26 $450,000.00 $3,000,000.00 High School Musical 3 200 40 $2,000,000.00 $13,333,333.33 HSM Reality 30 34 $265,491.00 $1,769,940.00 Snowmen 65 30 $345,568.00 $2,303,784.07 Frozen 60 26 $214,540.00 $1,430,268.53 My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend 45 24 $239,393.00 $1,196,965.00 Area 51 60 18 $215,271.00 $1,435,140.00

TOTALS 615 228 $4,000,422.00 $26,270,495.00

Film Commission

Disney

The addition of the tax credit, increase to 20% and the removal of the per project cap (tax credit only) enabled the Utah Film Commission to recruit the large budget Disney/Pixar production, “John Carter of Mars,” as well as the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 4.”

These two productions will spend a combined total of $33,733,255 in the state over a period of seven months, creating 581 jobs.

“GENTLEMEN BRONCOS”

The creators of “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre”, Jared and Jerusha Hess began principal photography on their next feature film, “Gentlemen Broncos” in March 2008. Filming took place in Salt Lake City, Antelope Island, and Provo over 50 days that created 115 jobs and had an economic impact of $9 million for the state.

Directed by Jared Hess, “Gentlemen Broncos” stars, Michael Angarano, Jemaine Clement , Jennifer Coolidge, Sam Rockwell and Mike White. The movie will open to a limited release in the fall of 2009 with a nationwide release to follow.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 TOTALS

Features/Independents/Cable Features

Total Projects: 12 Total Production Days: 211 Economic Impact: $11,720,000

Television

Total Projects: 19 Total Production Days: 93 Economic Impact: $2,125,500

Commercials / Videos / Industrial / Documentary / Shorts / Stills

Total Projects: 89 Total Production Days: 249 Economic Impact: $6,029,696

Other Related Film Activities

Sundance Film Festival: $92,100,000

Overview

Total Projects: 126 Total Production Days: 553 Total Economic Impact: $109,979,746

“Waiting for Forever,” on location Salt Lake City, Utah. “Gentlemen Broncos,” on location Salt Lake City, Utah.

FILM AND TELEVISION SHOWS SHOT IN UTAH FISCAL YEAR 2009

Film

• Frozen – Snowbasin Ski Resort • Snowmen – Park City •Waiting for Forever – Ogden,

Salt Lake City and Echo • 301: The Legend of Awesomest

Maximus – Antelope Island,

Great Salt Lake • Scout Camp – Payson • Dear Jane... Dear John – Utah

County • Father in Israel – Salt Lake City • Minor Details – Utah County • My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend – Salt

Lake City • The Mine – Cedar Fort, Heber

City and Ophir • This is the Place – Provo

Television

• FOX’s: American Idol – Salt

Lake City • MTV’s: Bully Beat Down – Salt

Lake City • MTV’s: Nitro Circus –

Northern Utah • History Channel: UFO

Hunters – Tooele County • E! Entertainment: Denise

Richards Show: It’s Complicated – Park City • Spike TV: “Jesse James is a

Dead Man – Bonneville Salt

Flats • TLC: Adventure Man:

Bonneville Salt Flats