DECEMBER 2018 – Directors Cut: With 2018 winding to an end, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on some of the year’s highlights and also send a big shout out to all of the talented people who worked in film this past year. An estimated $63 million was spent in state this year and 16 diverse productions received film incentives to shoot in Utah, including features, documentaries and television series from in-state and out-of-state producers. Consequently, over 1,300 local jobs were created and over 550 film permits were issued across the state.

NOVEMBER 2018 – Directors Cut: Over the past year, we have been diligently working on several key ways to encourage our talent pipeline and workforce development. As we continue to grow as an industry, it is vital that we find new ways to bring new people into our work, in either above or below the line roles.

OCTOBER 2018 – Directors Cut: October was a busy month for film in Utah – we celebrated a legend, welcomed back a legacy and visited a few classic Utah locations.

September 2018 – Directors Cut: Unbelievably, it’s been a year since the #MeToo movement began to highlight sexual harassment and gender inequality, particularly in the workplace. While we still have much work to do to encourage diversity both behind and in front of the camera, I’m grateful that this year we’ve had some great successes.

August 2018 – Directors Cut: John Ford famously went looking for realism in his films at a time in the 1930’s when most films were shot on a stage in LA. For his new, epic western, Stagecoach, he wanted the true West, not something painted. That’s where Utah came in and anyone who’s spent any time in southern Utah, specifically Monument Valley, knows exactly why this place resonated with him.