News and Events

PRODUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER ON “THE FINEST HOURS” STARRING CHRIS PINE, CASEY AFFLECK AND HOLLIDAY GRAINGER

The reviews are in and the cast of “The Judge” gives two thumbs up to the people of Shelburne Falls.

On a hot day earlier this summer, members of the Boston University Band gathered for a scene they’ve enacted countless times. The musicians were decked out in their trademark scarlet and white uniforms. The drum line kept rhythm. The color guard twirled flags. A hundred students marched in perfect unison down a city street.

Three films shot in Massachusetts with big name stars attached to them will be featured at the largest film festival in North America. Much attention had been paid to “The Judge,” which stars Robert Downey Jr., because it kicks off the 10-day festival tonight.

Whether it’s Fenway Park in “Fever Pitch,” the Bunker Hill Memorial in “The Town” or the Fairmont Copley Plaza in “American Hustle,” a lot of us get a kick out of seeing Boston on the big screen.
It takes an army of professionals to cast, prep and secure places around Massachusetts for their turns on film, but one person plays a particularly critical role in the creative and logistical gauntlet that comes with the territory.

Whether it’s Fenway Park in “Fever Pitch,” the Bunker Hill Memorial in “The Town” or the Fairmont Copley Plaza in “American Hustle,” a lot of us get a kick out of seeing Boston on the big screen.

It takes an army of professionals to cast, prep and secure places around Massachusetts for their turns on film, but one person plays a particularly critical role in the creative and logistical gauntlet that comes with the territory.

We recently reported on the growing film crew base in Massachusetts — the gaffers, sound men and costumers who live local but are finding steady work on Hollywood movies shooting here.

Now let’s go deeper into one of the creative areas in the filmmaking ecosystem, the costume department, where professionals work long hours day after day, taking meticulous care to create wardrobes for films like “The Social Network,” “American Hustle” and “Black Mass.”

We recently reported on the growing film crew base in Massachusetts — the gaffers, sound men and costumers who live local but are finding steady work on Hollywood movies shooting here.

Now let’s go deeper into one of the creative areas in the filmmaking ecosystem, the costume department, where professionals work long hours day after day, taking meticulous care to create wardrobes for films like “The Social Network,” “American Hustle” and “Black Mass.”

Recently there’ve been catering trucks idling on Beacon Hill, transplanted palm trees that turned Revere Beach into Miami Beach, and Johnny Depp creepily transformed into James “Whitey” Bulger.

But for every Hollywood actor passing through Boston to make movies, there are dozens of local crewmembers working long hours on set.

Recently there’ve been catering trucks idling on Beacon Hill, transplanted palm trees that turned Revere Beach into Miami Beach, and Johnny Depp creepily transformed into James “Whitey” Bulger.

But for every Hollywood actor passing through Boston to make movies, there are dozens of local crewmembers working long hours on set.

BLOOM, Waypoint Entertainment and Netter Productions announced that two-time Oscar nominated director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk) began principal photography on THE SEA OF TREES. The film will shoot on location in Massachusetts and in Japan.

Lisa Strout, the director of the Massachusetts Film Office, and Chris O’Donnell, the business manager of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts Local 481, join Peter Howe on CEO Corner to discuss.

Massachusetts made THE JUDGE was filmed in Ashfield, Attleborough, Belmont, Boston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Dedham, Milton, Plymouth, Shelburne Falls, Sunderland, and Worcester in 2013. IN THEATERS THIS OCTOBER

Massachusetts made THE EQUALIZER was filmed in Boston, Cambridge, Canton, Chelsea, Haverhill, Quincy, Salisbury, and Swampscott in 2013. IN THEATERS THIS SEPTEMBER

The first glimpse of “The Judge” – shot partially in Shelburne Falls, Sunderland and other Bay State communities last year – has surfaced online at Entertainment Weekly.

How do you defend someone who never defended you? That’s the heart of this thriller/family drama (out Oct. 10) starring Robert Downey Jr. as a Chicago defense attorney who returns to his small town to represent his hostile father (Robert Duvall) in a murder case.

The 2015 BlueCat Screenplay Competition is now accepting feature and short screenplay submissions!

Principal photography is underway on the as-yet-untitled drama based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger.

Desi Van Til describes her film “Tumbledown” as a love letter to her home state of Maine.
Van Til wrote the indie movie that stars Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall and is based on her life growing up in Farmington. She envisioned filming at some of the small rural town’s landmarks — the old Farmington Diner, the Boiler Room Tavern, her best friend’s lake house, and even Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, where she once worked.

Production is currently underway for a new Worcester film which will blend a mix of both Hollywood celebrities and emerging local actors and actresses.