UTAH’S DEEP BENCH OF PRODUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
Seasoned below-the-line crew and veteran production service companies complement Utah’s locations. The following is a select list of local production resources.
Utah Film Studios, Park City
The purpose-built, full-service facility (originally named Park City Film Studios) opened in June 2015 and was home to the first three seasons of “Yellowstone.” The location is 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City Airport and two miles from the Eccles Theater. “It’s easy to get to and once you’re here, it’s a turnkey operation,” says Marshall Moore, VP of operations and marketing for Utah Film Studios. The three soundstages total 45,000 square feet. Of note: the 35’ height from floor to the bottom of lighting grid, 39 private offices, three conference rooms four kitchens and 18’x15’ elephant doors. Stage 2 and 3 can be combined into a 30,000 square foot stage.
Utah Film Studios, 4001 Kearns Blvd., Park City, utahfilmstudios.com
Redman Movies & Stories Equipment House, Salt Lake City
In December, Salt Lake City’s Redman Movies & Stories Equipment House added a fourth soundstage. Per Redman’s president Bryan Clifton, the new Volume Digital Stage has video wall capabilities and is outfitted with two Aurora Lighting Systems and Mo-sys Startracker technology for highest quality AR, VR and virtual production. For more than 40 years, Redman has provided camera, grip and lighting equipment and trucks for every kind of production. Redman Movies & Stories Equipment House, 1075 S. 700 W., Salt Lake City, redmanmovies.com
Keslow Camera, Salt Lake City
One of 10 Keslow Camera houses, the Salt Lake City office rents full camera packages (16 mm, 35mm, ARRI, Red and Sony Venice digital cinema cameras) and lenses. Recognized for supporting major projects; credits include “Horizon: An American Saga,” the “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” and “Granite Flats.” Keslow Camera, 812 W. Layton Ave., Salt Lake City, keslowcamera.com
Roundy Special FX, Pleasant Grove
A wide selection of production special effects equipment and services are available through Roundy. On hand are Ritter Fans for wind-making and other atmospheric effects equipment (rain, fog and snowmaking), portable heaters and more. Roundy also builds custom-designed mechanical props: there’s welding, machining and blacksmithing shops on site. Recent productions include “Horizon: An American Saga,” and the Utah portion of “Fallout.” Roundy Special FX, 4554 Canyon Rd., Pleasant Grove, Roundyfx.com
Navajo Nation Film & TV Production, Window Rock, Arizona
The Navajo Nation Film Office issues permits for all locations in the Navajo Nation across four states, including those in Utah. Permits are required for all productions. Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation handles film permits within the boundaries of the Monument Valley Navajo tribal park. Tribal Hill Dr., Window Rock, AZ, navajonationtvandfilm.com
Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife, Heber
Famed animal trainers and handlers Lynne and Doug Seus trained Bart the Bear, known for his work in “Grizzly Adams” and “The Bear.” After 45 years in the business and countless animals, they now have two grizzly bears — Honey Bump (Bart the Bear 2’s sibling) and Tank the Bear (“Dr. Dolittle”) — plus two wolves on their animal talent roster. Talent can be delivered to locations; for less cost, Lynne Seus suggests filming on their private mountainside. bartthebear.com
Territory Studios, St. George
Groundbreaking is slated for spring on Territory Studios’ 16.8acre site, a joint venture between Kevin Costner and Brett Burgess. The project will be built in phases with 70,000 square feet of soundstages, 51,000 square feet of production warehouses and 31,750 square feet of production offices planned, all to be surrounded by plentiful greenspace. Territoryfilmstudios.com
— Kathy A. Mcdonald