SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - What do the director of Slumdog Millionaire and the producer of Disney's High School Musical series have in common? Not only have their films been major blockbusters, but both are now shooting films in Utah.
The movie business in Utah here is projected to bring up to $60 million dollars in production, making the beehive state one of the top choices for movie-making.
“producers are not only looking at Utah, but they're looking at other states as well, that offer competitive incentives," says Utah Film Commission director Marshall Moore.
Moore says incentives that give producers money back for each dollar spent is making Utah even more attractive.
"We started at 10 percent six years ago, went to 15 percent in 2007, and just recently, went to 20 percent,” says Moore.
Producers like Don Schain, who shot the high school musical trilogy at Salt Lake City's East High School says “It has become so competitive nationally and internationally, and over the past five years, Utah has really started to level the playing field."
Schain is now shooting a Disney Channel movie in Salt Lake City called Den Brother.
A film called 147 Hours about the real-life drama of a man who severed his arm to save his life is also being shot near Moab. The director? Danny Boyle, the same man who directed Best Picture Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.
“They'll shoot from March to June and put about $13-million into the economy," says Moore.
With 40 states offering tax incentives, Utah's 20% cash back may seem to pale in comparison with states that offer incentives above 30-percent.
In fact, Michigan has the highest at 40-percent.
So, how does Utah compete?
"We have some of the best crews; gaffers, electricians, makeup artists, wardrobe people, art department people, that I would put up against any crews in the country,” says Moore.
Producers say money isn't always measured solely by a state's tax incentive program.
Moore says it pays to have a trained talent pool.
"While good, may not be as good as, let's say, New Mexicos’, we have a better infrastructure,” says Moore. “So when you add that all into the mix, it becomes a pretty level playing field.”
It’s a playing field that's keeping movie-loving Utahns employed and close to home.
"You have locations within an hour of a major airport - all kinds of locations, the desert, the mountains, the small towns, the big city,” says Moore.
These are qualities that add a little Utah stardust to the silver screen.
Moore says a recent study showed 87 percent of people hired for Utah-based productions are actually full-time Utah residents, which not only keeps those jobs in this state, but their money as well.
