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Utah Film Commission: landscapes, local crews keep filmmakers returning
Summary
Derek Melas, production manager for the Utah Film Commission, said Utah’s landscapes, local crews and production infrastructure are the primary reasons filmmakers keep returning to the state, citing a film history dating to 1924’s The Covered Wagon.
SALT LAKE CITY — Derek Melas, production manager for the Utah Film Commission, said Utah’s varied landscapes and an experienced local production workforce are the main reasons filmmakers continue to bring projects to the state.
Melas told an interviewer that Utah’s scenery draws initial interest, but production crews and local infrastructure are what prompt repeat business. “Utah has the most inspiring of landscapes, and it's been inspiring Hollywood storytelling for over a hundred years now,” he said.
Melas noted a long film history in the state, citing the 1924 film The Covered Wagon as an early production shot in Utah. Asked what makes the state attractive beyond scenery, he said, “after they've been here, the reason they keep coming back is because of our talent, our crew, and our infrastructure.”
When asked to name iconic films shot in Utah, Melas listed several titles that have used the state’s locations, including The Sandlot, Footloose, The Searchers and the High School Musical franchise. He also named Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 127 Hours, SLC Punk, Better Off Dead and Dumb and Dumber when discussing favorites by genre.
On whether new projects were coming to Utah, Melas declined to provide specifics, saying he could not talk about some titles yet. He added an informal encouragement to would-be filmmakers: “You should. I know a guy.”
The interview focused on Utah’s appeal to location scouts and production teams rather than on specific economic figures or policy changes. Melas’s remarks underscore the commission’s role in assisting productions: he introduced himself as “the production manager for the Utah Film Commission,” and described his job as helping “filmmakers find resources here in Utah.”
As presented in the interview, no formal announcements, contracts, funding details or film credits were disclosed; Melas said only that filmmakers continue to return and that there are likely projects "on the horizon."
