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Six companies received state tax incentives last week to film movies in Utah, productions that cumulatively are expected to spend almost $10.2 million in the state.

The Governor's Office of Economic Development board approved post-performance tax rebates of $2.1 million to $2.6 million to the companies, depending on how much each firm lives up to various benchmarks in its contract with GOED.

Two comedies, two family films, a drama and a Western are among the movies that will be shot — with one GOED and Utah Film Commission benchmark being a requirement that 85 percent of the production's cast/crew be Utahns.

In the past year, GOED now has approved incentives for 19 projects that are forecast to have an economic impact of $72 million.

"This has been an incredible year for film in Utah," said Film Commission Director Virginia Pearce. "We are glad to support these arts through a number of creative and financial angles that will continue to bring large returns and job opportunities to the state."

The largest individual incentive went to "A Few Minor Distractions," a family feature about siblings whose musical talents went different directions.

Director/producer Autumn McAlpin and producer John Kelly will get $630,000 to $787,500 to shoot the show over 33 days in West Valley City, Bountiful and Daybreak. It will employ a cast of 30, crew of 110 and 300 extras, spending an estimated $3.1 million in the state.

"Utah provides a beautiful landscape and wealth of resources and friendly people … who are eager to assist our film projects," McAlpin said.

Next in line moneywise was "Brigsby Bear," a comedy from Saturday Night Live writer Dave McCary. To be shot around Salt Lake County, the comedy is about a boy who has to cope with a new reality when a TV show made specifically for him is canceled.

With a cast of 20, crew of 65 and 200 extras, the comedy is projected to spend $2.7 million in 27 days of filming. Its incentive ranges from $500,000 to $625,000.

Another comedy, "Deidra and Laney Rob a Train," will get an incentive ranging from $363,400 to $454,250. It's about two teenage girls who start robbing banks to support themselves after their mother goes to jail, and will be filmed in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Heber City.

Director Sydney Freeland expects to spend $1.8 million in 25 days of filming, using a cast of 15, crew of 82 and 236 extras.

Damsel Productions will get $269,00 to $337,000 to film a Western, identified as ZB Pioneer Film, this summer in the Wasatch Mountains and Summit County.

Driven by David and Nathan Zellner, this movie will have a cast of five, crew of 27 and 70 extras, whose 32 days of shooting will result in $1.35 million in spending.

"Valley of the Gods," a drama based on Navajo creation mythology, will receive $257,000 to $321,000. Director/producer Lech Majewski's "mysterious and idiosyncratic vision of America" will be filmed in Salt Lake City and Monument Valley, involving a cast of five, crew of 60 and 105 extras over 22 days, spending $1.3 million.

A $43,000 incentive also was granted to Doty Dayton Films to shoot "Drop Off," a family feature about three underprivileged boys who learn that money can't buy happiness after they find a bundle of cash left behind by robbers on the run.

The company expects to spend $215,000 in 21 days of shooting, with a cast of 38, crew of 21 and 200 extras.