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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah shines again in the eyes of film producers. Our state ranks in the top 10 on a new industry list of the best places to shoot a film.
Utah regularly receives recognition as a great place to shoot movies and has a long history in the industry, but the praise never gets old, and it always helps when movie industry insiders cite Utah for the advantages it offers.
In its December issue, P3 Update includes Utah in its "Top 10 Locations in the World." It's a very competitive business, and producers can shoot anywhere in the world; Australia, New Zealand, Canada and several other states make the list. Producers pick locations based on factors such as specific locations, incentives, crew base, and even where the director or leading actor likes to work.
Also this year, "Variety" magazine named the Utah Film Commission the best film office in the world.
"What it means to have these accolades, is that a producer looks for people and an office that facilitates production and makes it easy," says Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film.
From 2000-2010 the film industry brought more than $1.3 billion into the Utah economy. -Utah Film Commission
"127 Hours" is the latest major movie with Utah scenery playing a starring role.
"'127 Hours' is a showpiece for the state of Utah," says von der Esch.
It's the story of Aaron Ralston's solo adventure into the Utah wilderness in which he cuts off his arm to free himself. The film is getting Oscar buzz, and is among several movies bringing new industry attention to Utah.
"The '127 hours' buzz--between the scenery, the photography, the music, the director--not a bad package to showcase the state," she says.
Over the past decade, Utah Film Commission numbers show the Utah film industry has pumped $1.3 billion into the economy. In 2008, when "High School Musical 2" was one of 29 films in production, the Utah Film Commission estimated annual economic impact of nearly $133 million.
Location Manager Ron Carr: "It has great infrastructure and great small towns like Provo and Springdale that can double for 1950s towns. The place also isn't overshot. I did a film there recently and 23 days of shooting only cost $10,000 for locations. Honestly, it's my favorite place to film, especially if you're doing an indie film." CLICK to read more about why Utah made the list
When it comes to jobs, von der Esch says 90 percent of the crew on a film shoot is drawn from local resources. So, a film shot in Utah creates jobs and brings money to be spent in the community.
In 2012, look for the release of the biggest movie ever shot in Utah. Principal photography wrapped up in August for The Walt Disney Studios' upcoming feature film, "John Carter of Mars," being directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall•E), and produced by Colin Wilson (Avatar).
Filmed throughout Southern Utah in the areas of Big Water, Kanab, Hanksville, Delta and Moab, the production created 300 jobs over a 120 day period, and brought $21 million into several rural Utah economies. The production of "John Carter of Mars," represents the largest economic impact of any movie made in Utah.
According to the Utah Film Commission, it's based on the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "Barsoom Series." The film chronicles the journey of Civil-War veteran John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who finds himself battling a new and mysterious war amidst a host of strange Martian inhabitants, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins).
Von der Esch says that movie shoot took advantage of all that Utah offers the industry. "Great locations, accessibility with the airport, great crew, talent, actors," she said. "It's one great package to shoot in this state."
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
