Filming in Utah
Touched By An Angel, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Sandlot, Superman III, City Slickers II, and more, all were filmed in Utah.
Although Utah may lack the bright lights of Hollywood and the big stages of New York City, motion picture and television companies come to Utah for talent and location.
The first part of the entertainment process is for film and TV show makers to come to Utah. The Utah Film Commission helps those in the business find locations in Utah to fit the script.
“We send film makers photos that fit the description of the scripts and if they like the photos, it’s not uncommon for them to get on a plane and fly over,” Leigh von der Esch, executive director said. “Moab over the years has been incredibly popular with such films as City Slickers and Thelma and Louise.” Once the decision is made to film in Utah, the film commission then aids the client in closing streets and hiring locally as much as possible for other needs. On the commissions Web site, www.film.utah.org, advice is also given as to how to become an extra and get houses and businesses listed to be used in movies.
“We really do offer a complete service to film industries,” von der Esch said.
The next phase has to do with the talent.
Eric Lichtenberg is a talent agent assistant for Talent Management Group Inc. in Salt Lake City and a former student of Utah State University. Lichtenberg, and others like him, help actors and actresses find work whether it be for commercial, film, television or radio. Lichtenberg reminds aspiring actors and actresses that talent agencies should not charge fees, according to the Screen Actors Guild rules and regulations and should only make money off commission when the actor/actress makes money.
Talent directors call agencies giving them descriptions of roles and then agents, such as Lichtenberg, send actors or actresses to auditions, Lichtenberg said. Agents also set up any appointments, take the talent where they need to go and handle any other communication needed.
“We have a very wide range of people in our talent pool,” Lichtenberg said.
Lichtenberg, who got involved in the entertainment business years ago when assisting Celine Dion, believes although the work can sometimes be unpredictable, getting started in Utah is easier than getting started in a bigger market.
“It’s definitely easier here than it is in Los Angeles. It’s something that will truly never be easy though,” Lichtenberg said.
One reason entertainment involvement may be easier in Utah is due to the fact Utah is a non-union state.
“In Utah you don’t have to be a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) signature to get into union productions. You have a chance here,” Lichtenberg said.
Kevin Doyle of the USU theatre department doesn’t see the non-union involvement as such a positive note.
“Film companies in my opinion take advantage of Utah laws and scenery. They can get cheap labor because we’re a non-union state,” Doyle said.
Doyle said Utah is a good place to get started and get involved in plays and get credits but to truly pursue an acting career, one would have to go to a bigger market. He said most actors/actresses in Salt Lake City have to have another job as well to support themselves.
“Most casting work that isn’t just extra work is out of L.A. or other markets like New York, Seattle or Chicago,” Doyle said.
Doyle believes that any performance degree will help people break into the business because they will have more knowledge and experience. Doyle also believes as much as market is important, the desire is important as well.
“There are students who have the drive to keep finding opportunities and keep pursuing acting and with that kind of desire and hard work, the odds are better for them,” Doyle said.