First as the planet Vulcan and now the red rocks of Mars, Utah has become Hollywood’s destination spot for depicting exotic intergalactic worlds.

Disney and Pixar, makers of classic animated movies such as "Toy Story" and the recent hit “Up,” are expected to partly film the pulp science-fiction adventure “John Carter of Mars” in Utah from November to July 2010.

Portions of the Beehive State will double as Mars, including Lake Powell (where the original "Planet of the Apes" was partially filmed, pictured below), Moab, and Kane and Wayne counties.

In exchange for filming here, the production will receive a tax credit through the state’s film incentive program. On
Thursday, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development board approved an application for the credit submitted by the movie’s production company.

"It’s the biggest movie we've ever used incentives on,” said Utah Film Commission executive director Marshall Moore. “We haven’t seen these kinds of numbers since doing a TV series for a year."

The San Rafael Swell already doubled as the planet Vulcan in this year’s summer blockbuster "Star Trek," but secondunit crews only shot for four days in Utah.

Disney is scheduled to shoot in Utah for 45 days. The story, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs science-fiction book series -- which begins with "A Princess of Mars" -- is about an American Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars to face a series of adventures.

Burroughs, who was born in Chicago, was no stranger to Utah, working as a railroad police officer in Salt Lake City in 1904.

The movie has been in development for several years, and noted directors Robert Rodriguez ("Sin City") and Jon Favreau ("Iron Man") were at one time slated to direct the live-action film. The movie, which is planned for release in 2012, will be directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo," "WALL-E").

According to a GOED executive summary, the filmmakers are committed to spend $27.7 million in the state and employ 398 Utahns during the seven months of pre-production and shooting. In turn, the production would receive a $5.5 million tax credit under the state's incentive program.
 

 
Harry Roland
(August 27, 1944 - June 21, 2009)

Former Baltimorean Harry Roland, 64, passed away suddenly at his home in North Carolina on June 21, 2009.

Born Harry Roland Goldburn, he relocated in 2007 to Raleigh from Baltimore where he was well-known as a professional artist and jazz musician. He played cornet and led a Dixieland jazz band which successfully performed for several years throughout the Baltimore/Washington area.

Self-taught in graphic and illustrative art, he served an apprenticeship with the top-rated Harold Brady Studio. Eventually, he became Brady's partner and later was hired for the position of head artist for Amtrak.

His fine art paintings of Baltimore scenes were frequently on exhibition, and he later left the commercial art field and fulfilled a boyhood dream by becoming an illustrator doing covers and interior illustrations for comic and fantasy magazines. He was often asked to appear at comic book conventions, and was the subject of several Baltimore TV segments that described notable local citizens. Additionally, he and several nationally-respected artists contributed their talents to a graphic book about 9/11, which is on permanent display at the Library of Congress.

Harry is survived by his loving partner of 20 years, Bridie Irving; his brothers, W. James Gregory of Raleigh, Joseph Ronald Goldburn and John Edwin Goldburn of Baltimore; his good dog Shadow and devoted cat Sugar.

In lieu flowers, friends can send memorial contributions in his name to the charity of their choice. Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.