thePULSERachel Shuster
It may have once been the case that you needed to get on a plane to Los Angeles in order to get a chance to see the filming of a big budget Hollywood movie, or get on a train and head to New York City to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrities shooting their next big blockbuster or TV show.
These days, you don’t have to go very far. Over the years, our very own city of Worcester and its surrounding towns have become destinations for both small and big budget films and TV. The filming boom in Central MA, which has only grown over the years, has brought great benefits for both the cities and towns acting as film locations and the local and aspiring actors, actresses and film buffs looking to break into the industry and find success.
A Worcester native paves the way
Film producer and Central MA native, Andrea Ajemian knows a thing or two about the filming boom in Worcester, because she was at the center of it.
“Andrea is our star,” Erin Williams, cultural development officer for the city of Worcester of 17 years says. “She is Worcester’s biggest booster for the film industry. She has done such due diligence and has come through the ranks. It’s been terrific to see her grow and keep Worcester in mind.”
Ajemian was born in Worcester and grew up in Rutland. “I was an extra in an independent horror movie when I was in eighth grade, which gave me my first glimpse into the business,” Ajemian says. “I went to Wachusett High School and did theater throughout, then to Elmira College in upstate New York where I did theater as well. It was there when I had a small role in an independent movie in town that got me really excited about the industry.”
After realizing her love and passion for film, Ajemian moved to Los Angeles when she was 24 to pursue acting. While there, Ajemian met aspiring filmmakers and gained great experience and knowledge. “I was out there for a few years, but came back to Worcester,” she says. It was then when Ajemian changed the Worcester film game.
“I came back to Worcester/Rutland in 2001 and produced the independent movie ‘Rutland, USA,’” she says. From there, Ajemian spent several years back and forth between Worcester and LA with her production company, AA Films, with an office in downtown Worcester. Some movies Ajemian produced in and around Worcester over those few years include “Boy Band” (now titled “Breakdance Academy”) and a number of Lifetime movies such as “Sexting in Suburbia” and “Last Hours in Suburbia.”
Ajemian also produced the series “Worcester Love” with her partner, Kaz Gamble, that focused on five-10 minute segments about love for the city of Worcester and acted as a virtual travel guide.
Ajemian isn’t the only filmmaker that emerged out of the Worcester area – she is in good company. “I am friends with fellow producer, John Stimpson,” she says. “I’ve made seven movies with him. We worked in the same building and both made movies that premiered on Lifetime. What John and I were doing, we were doing for a long time when no one was really doing it.”
After many years of making her mark in MA, Ajemian packed up again to go to LA. “I was trying to get further in my career,” she says. “I loved doing the smaller movies, but I needed to get to that higher level.”
Film starts to boom in the city
Ajemian’s determination and passion paid off. Since then, her career has taken off, but Worcester is never far from her mind. She has brought several movies to MA and the interest in filming in Worcester has caught on with others in the industry.
“The Surrogates” in 2008 with Bruce Willis was one of the first big budget films in Worcester. “We had a number of others come into play like ‘American Hustle’ with Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale and ‘Knight and Day’ with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, which shot at Worcester locations such as Union Station and the Worcester Airport,” Williams says.
Ajemian still tries to shoot in Central MA as much as possible. “Proud Mary” with Taraji P. Henson and “Slender Man” with Joey King are just two of the films Ajemian brought to central MA.
In 2018 when Ajemian was working on “Proud Mary,” a producer called her with a big project. “They had a Liam Neeson project called ‘Honest Thief,’” she says. “I was hired as executive producer, which was so exciting. The team was thinking of shooting in Boston, but I pitched them Worcester and they said yes. We shot the whole thing in Worcester! At the time, I found a production office on Main Street across from the Hanover Theater. I’d park my car in the same lot as I did years before when I had a production office in the Printers Building for seven years. Then, I was broke trying to raise money and now here I am. It was full circle for me.”
Overall, there is more production in Central MA and the Worcester area in the last 10 years, more specifically in the last five. “Especially now with New England Studios in Devens, it has grown,” Ajemian adds. “When a series is filmed there, some elements are typically filmed in Worcester.”
Worcester’s desirable factors
So what is it about Worcester and central MA that has gotten producers and filmmakers flocking to the area? “They are realizing it has great and diverse looks, it’s affordable, welcoming and easier logistically,” Ajemian says.
“The city has great and versatile architecture that can provide the backdrop for both period pieces and contemporary films,” Williams adds.
Although, the interest in the area isn’t solely because it’s such a special place that offers great versatility, but the people and those who work for the city make it a special experience.
“Edgar Luna, Business Development Manager for the city of Worcester has been fundamental in helping to identify site locations,” Williams says. “He is the go-to person in Worcester for film and has helped to navigate many films and location scouting. They leave no stone unturned for locations. The partnership is great, and the film industry folks are respectful of what needs to get done to preserve the integrity of the property.”
The smaller scale of the city lends itself well to the intimate and close-knit treatment between the city and the film industry visitors, and everyone works together to make the experiences pleasant and memorable, ensuring many future partnerships.
“We work closely with the Department of Public Works and the Police Department as well,” Williams says. “Everyone is so helpful and it’s a great team to work with. City Manager Edward M. Augustus is a great supporter of film in the city, and we are also connected to the cultural community in a deep way as well as the private sector. Anything from production assistants, casting, food vendors for catering, props – we are involved and can help. Worcester loves to have films. We make the process easy to navigate.”
The MA film office is also critical to the city’s work. Ajemian and Williams note that Worcester has a good film tax credit. “The tax credit bill makes Worcester a key player in filmmaking,” Williams adds. “This is what brings the film industry first and foremost to MA. It is a major incentive. They go where the tax credits are the best.”
The future of film in Worcester looks bright
As for the future, Ajemian would love to see more of her own and others’ films brought to Worcester. “I would like to make more of my movies there and see more movies based in Worcester full time,” she says. “I will always recommend Worcester first and use more crew members living in the area. I want to pour all the money into this economy!”
Not only does bringing film and TV to Worcester and Central MA mean good things for the city and its economy, but it means a great opportunity for locals who have the same big dreams Ajemian had. “There are so many great success stories already,” Ajemian says. “Stories where people started working on our little movies and now they have big time careers. A lot of them stay and work in MA. It’s a lot easier now if you are starting out and want to work in the business. You don’t need to go to LA or New York anymore – you can grow and work your way up right here.”
From the city’s perspective, with all the success they have seen with the film industry over the years, it’s the hope that it will only continue to evolve and grow. “Film scouts and those in the industry talk to each other, and with a good experience, they are likely to recommend it to others and come back,” Williams says. “We could boost up our presence and attract more films and TV productions, raise up our own local film and media community and encourage more film making and festivals. The more we can celebrate and lift up new voices in independent filmmaking in Worcester and Central MA, the better.”
The film boom in Worcester over the years boils down to the determination and passion of hard-working and talented people, working together to create something special and impactful for the people of Worcester, Central MA and beyond. With momentum this great, this is just the beginning of what’s in store for the city of Worcester and film.
“We are appreciative of the city structure that allows us to be engaged within the creative enterprise,” Williams says. “As we move ahead, we will see more media production here with film, podcasts, and different kinds of production that will celebrate our great city of Worcester.”
