Photo Courtesy ABC Entertainment

If you’ve ever wondered who the heck would commute to a film studio in Park City, Utah, wonder no more. Park City Film Studios announced today that ABC Entertainment Group will use the 375,000 square-foot facility as its base of operation for the new series “Blood & Oil” (formerly “Oil”, formerly “Boom”). The commercials are already airing on ABC during such popular shows as “The Bachelorette” and “Mistresses,” promising all the fun things that ‘sell’- lust, greed, sexy dudes and fashion. Oh, and Don Johnson.

 

“It’s highly unusual for a brand new studio to be selected for major production,” said Greg Ericksen, owner and developer of Park City Film Studios. “So, you can imagine that we are very excited to be working with ABC on this project.”

 

Park City Film Studios facility is still under construction but when it’s completed it will house three soundstages, production offices, and an array of studio services including a digital motion capture stage and technology and special effects stages. “Blood & Oil” is taking over the entire production facility including three 15,000 square foot production spaces and offices.

 

The Utah Film Commission recently announced the new TV drama is the first network series in 10 years to be filmed on location in Utah. “Granite Flats” doesn’t count as it is produced for KBYUtv, a non-profit, University channel. “Blood & Oil” will air on Sunday nights and premieres on Sept. 27, 2015.

 

The drama series features Don Johnson from “Nash Bridges” and more recently ‘Eastbound and Down” but who most GenXers remember as Sonny Crockett in the iconic 80s series “Miami Vice”. Hunky “Gossip Girl” alum Chace Crawford and Rebecca Rittenhouse from “Red Band Society” also star. But the real leads in this true-to-life oil industry story are Park City and Utah. Our ‘locals’ play the part of North Dakota.

 

Utah’s incentive program encourages out-of-state productions to film here and includes cash back when they spend a certain amount of money and utilize a percentage of local talent and crew. ABC says 300 local cast and crew members will be used and it is predicted to inject $35 million into the local economy.

 

It’s too bad, however, that leads and recurring roles are cast out of Los Angeles, leaving only day parts for our talented local pool. Of course, I’m looking forward to auditioning. Who wouldn’t? I haven’t done a part in a network series since “Promised Land.” I read for a couple of roles in “Everwood” but didn’t make it past the callbacks. Other Utah-filmed series include “Touched By An Angel” and “Extreme” – a short-lived action drama starring “Modern Family’s” Julie Bowen.

 

Park City Film Studios’ site is designed to support all stages of moviemaking, with plans to host a hotel, restaurants and retailers, at 4001 Kearns Boulevard, across from the National Ability Center in Park City.

 

According to ABC, “Blood & Oil” is written by Josh Pate and Rodes Fishburne. Executive producers are Tony Krantz, Josh Pate, Rodes Fishburne, Drew Comins, and Don Johnson; produced by ABC Signature.