As movie lights go dark in Massachusetts, locals lose contracts and employment gigs

Massachusetts' thriving film and television production industry has faded to black during coronavirus mitigation measures.

Film productions across the country have been canceled, leaving many who work in the industry unemployed at the moment.

The stalled productions in Massachusetts are sending ripples through the state’s economy as thousands of people are employed as freelancers or suppliers to these multimillion dollar productions.

The state had a big role in the popular whodunit “Knives Out,” which starred Sudbury’s own Chris Evans, as the film was shot in communities like Dedham and Medfield.

More than 1,500 local businesses provided services like catering and equipment rentals and 275 residents were hired to fill all kinds of production jobs.

“The tentacles of any one shoot are pretty far reaching and therefore has a tremendous effect when productions like that are no longer happening,” Laura Azevedo said.

Azevedo is the executive director of the Melrose-based Filmmakers Collaborative.

She says the production of “Little Women,” which was shot in Louisa May Alcott’s hometown of Concord -- as well as Boston, Ipswich, and Waltham -- employed more than 500 residents.

What makes the slowdown even tougher is that the industry relies mostly on freelancers and independent contractors. "These are people that don’t have the benefit of being fully backed by their employer for things like healthcare, or benefits, or a 401(k) plan,” Azevedo said. “These are people who are truly on their own.”

Dan Diaz of Westerman Supply in Worcester is feeling the slow down. He rents props and other equipment.

“We were working on the Julia Child series,” Diaz said. “We had to shut down the shop, so pretty much lay off all the workers in the film end of it, and hopefully when it resumes, we can get back up and running.”

Azevedo believes Boston's star will shine bright again and that this is just a hiccup. The area will always be attractive to film makers.

“It’s always been a very supportive community when it comes to innovation and that's one aspect that makes Boston a thriving arts community,” She said. “And the variety of architecture that we have available here, the fact that we have different seasons.”

Netflix’s recent hit “Spenser Confidential,” starring Mark Wahlberg, was shot on location in Massachusetts for 55 days and filmed in 13 different towns, including Brookline, Revere and Walpole. In all, 525 local people were able to get work through that project.

The town of Concord saw a surge in visitors when “Little Women” was released as people wanted to see Louisa May Alcott’s home for themselves. The state’s film bureau even put together a tour guide for visitors so they’d see all the right spots.

MORE COVERAGE: