Utah Offering $2M Incentive for "High School Musical 3'

With the first two "High School Musical" productions proving to be big hits, a state board is putting out a $2 million incentive to make sure a third installment also is shot in Utah. Meeting in Price, the Governor's Office of Economic Development Board approved several economic development incentives Friday, including the package for High School Musical 3 Productions Inc. If the film company selects Utah, it would receive the state's biggest production incentive ever. An offer of $263,000 was approved for "High School Musical" and another for $500,000 was earmarked for the sequel. According to board documents, the film's budget is $13.3 million, and 99 percent of that would be spent in Utah. The production would involve 190 crew positions at $1,875 per week; plus $58,498 for stunt performers; $15,000 for Utah casting directors; and $472,640 for about 4,000 Utah extras. The production would take place over 41 days, starting April 21.

Popularity of both "High School Musical" films has prompted people from across the country to visit East High School to see where the films were made.

To capitalize further on that fame, East High students put on several sold-out performances of the "High School Musical" play as their fall musical. The production's popularity was expected to gross more than $25,000 for the school. The school's popularity rose sharply following the second film's release to the public. School leaders estimated over the summer 40 to 50 people would wander the building to see areas where the movies had been filmed.

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