Five New Productions Approved to Film in Utah

Five New Productions Approved to Film in Utah SALT LAKE CITY (September 10, 2020) – Utah Film Commission today announced the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board approval of five new productions for state…

Five New Productions Approved to Film in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (September 10, 2020) – Utah Film Commission today announced the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board approval of five new productions for state film incentives, generating an estimated economic impact of $6.5 million and creating over 185 local jobs.

The second season of the faith-based streaming series, ‘The Chosen’ was approved for a Motion Picture Incentive Program. Spending an estimated $4 million in the state, this series will film in Utah County with production scheduled to begin in October. Executive Producer, Derral Eves commented, “After looking at several locations worldwide, we immediately knew that Utah is the best place to film ‘The Chosen’. Our production needed a specific look and we found it in Goshen. We are thrilled to be filming in Utah and are excited to get to work alongside the talented local cast and crew.”

Approved for the fourth season of the popular CW series, ‘The Outpost’ will begin filming in October with an estimated spend of $1.7 million in the state. “We’re thrilled to be producing another season of ‘The Outpost’ with our team in Utah,” said Executive Producer, Jason Faller. “The brilliant production and post-production crew members, the visual effects talent we employ, and the fantastic landscapes of the great state of Utah are each an enormous asset to the series.”

Directed by local filmmakers, Boston McConnaughey and Renny Grames, ‘Alien Country’ is a sci-fi feature approved under the Community Film Incentive Program, supporting smaller, local projects. Co-director and co-producer, Renny Grames commented, “‘Alien Country’ was born out of our love for the Utah desert and recreational culture. From demolition derbies, to UFO sightings, to protecting sacred lands, this film celebrates the uniqueness of our home state and therefore had to be filmed here.”

‘Michael McLean’s The Forgotten Carols’ is known as a Christmas themed musical theater production that has been touring uninterrupted as a live theater presentation for 28 years. With the 2020 tour cancelled due to complications surrounding touring during the pandemic, the performance will now be filmed to keep the Christmas tradition alive. Approved under the Community Film Incentive Program, the production will film during September in Iron County. “To now be able to bring a high quality filmed option of this beloved show to our dedicated fans, and pulling that off during the pandemic, has been no small undertaking,” said Producer Julie Ahlander. “We, as a production team, feel that to be filming in Utah, which is home to many of our cast and crew including the writer and star of the show, Michael McLean, is just icing on the cake!”

Written and directed by Utah native, Savannah Ostler, ‘Twice Upon a Song’ was approved for the Community Film Incentive. “We chose to film in Utah for many reasons- the professional cast and crew, industry resources, the breathtaking natural beauty, and the fact that Utah is our home,” Ostler said. This family feature is the sequel to the 2019 film, ‘Twice the Dream’ and the production will begin filming in September around Utah County.