Utah film industry riding high after a ‘huge year’

"That’s a 15-to-1 return on investment," Syrett said. "For every dollar the state of Utah put into it, it received $15 back. It’s incredible."

Utah saw a lot more "action!" from its film industry during the most recent fiscal year.

Both the number of production days and the amount of production spending rose from the previous year, and the governor and others are hoping more financial incentives will be approved by the Legislature to boost the figures even higher.

The Utah Film Commission set a goal of boosting spending and production time by 15 percent last year. The results were thumbs-up. Movie and TV production days rose 19 percent and spending was up more than 30 percent to $144.5 million, according to the commission’s executive director, Aaron Syrett.

"It was a huge year in Utah," Syrett said Friday at the commission’s annual film industry luncheon, noting the impact of such works as "High School Musical," "World’s Fastest Indian" and "Everwood."

By Brice Wallace
Deseret Morning News

Full Story: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640194879,00.html

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Jammin’ – film spending in Utah up 32%

By Brandon Griggs
The Salt Lake Tribune

Buoyed by a new financial incentive program, hits like "High School Musical" and a flurry of current projects, Utah’s film industry is experiencing its biggest upswing in years.

Almost two dozen feature and TV movies were shot at least partially in Utah during the past fiscal year, according to figures released Friday by the Utah Film Commission. Filmmakers spent almost $145 million in the state – a 32 percent increase over the previous year.

Seven films have shot in Utah in just the past several months, making this summer the busiest since 1998. Another 841 potential film and TV projects are pending.

Full Story: http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_4055512