A major movie studio in Plymouth could generate as many as 2,000 well-paying jobs and stimulate the tourism and service industries in the region, potentially becoming the largest private employer in the Plymouth area.

For five days in November and December, the normally sedate suburban town of 25,000 people became Hollywood Central, with town residents enlisted to serve as extras, police controlling traffic and providing security, and the neighborhood buzz centering around how much taller movie star Cameron Diaz appeared in person.

If your timing was really good, you might also have caught the illustrious likes of Morgan Freeman or William H. Macy making their way from their dressing-room trailers in the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot to the Worcester Art Museum, where a Hollywood crew was at work on a one-day shoot for a new movie.

Rubbing elbows with the stars is nothing new for Sgt. Michael O’Connor, 54, a veteran of 21 years who is now the Boston Police Department’s motion picture liaison.

MFO Variety ad saluting GAME PLAN as the number one movie in America.

The increase in action is causing a surge in business for a range of companies and individuals related to filmmaking.

Local 481 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts has seen a 37 percent surge in members since Massachusetts’ new film tax incentives took effect last year. More than 140 new enrollees have signed on, bringing its membership to a record 537.

For years, Hollywood producers steered clear of the ‘celluloid pariah’ known as Massachusetts. But now they’re all over Boston, thanks to tax breaks and a warm welcome.

MFO Variety ad touting new Massachusetts film tax credit law.

Two thumbs-up to state officials who now recognize that they can play more than a cameo role in drawing big-screen blockbusters to film in the Bay State.

The Massachusetts legislature is ready to move on several bills to correct what are perceived as glitches in its current tax incentives for film production.

MFO Variety ad honoring THE DEPARTED as the first Massachusetts movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year.