'Ella McCay' begins filming RI State House

Paul Edward Parker, Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island State House took its star turn Tuesday as "Ella McCay," the Hollywood movie that has been filming around the capital city began shooting scenes on Smith Hill.

Although the State House is unmistakable as Rhode Island's seat of government, "Ella McCay" is set in a fictionalized version of an unspecified state. As such, signage in front of the Department of Transportation building, across Smith Street from the State House, was changed to a generic state office building; Smith Street's name was changed to "State Street;" the state flag flying over the State House wasn't Rhode Island's anchor on a white background but one with a different design on a blue background; and license plates on cars were changed to the fictional state's, with a motto to match that on the fictional flag: "Verum est difficile."

Where is the Ella McCay crew filming around the State House?

Filming included two exterior shots: one on the south steps, showing the plaza and lawn at their base, and the other on the Smith Street side of the State House, including in the street. Producers have not given details about the filming Tuesday, but it appeared to include action that crossed Smith Street from the DOT toward the State House.

The real state police – there were also actors portraying the police in the fictional state – shut Smith Street to traffic in front of the State House at 6:30 a.m. as production trucks began lining the street and filling a State House parking lot got underway in the predawn hours.

The production company pays to have an average of six police officers on scene each day during filming at the State House, according to Steven Feinberg, head of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office. Depending on the seniority of the officers, the following hourly averages are paid:

  • Capitol Police officer, $40

  • State troopers, $76

  • Providence police officer, $87.

A movie production truck parked on Smith Street in front of the Rhode Island State House early Tuesday for filming of the Twentieth Century Studios production of the James L. Brooks movie "Ella McCay."
A movie production truck parked on Smith Street in front of the Rhode Island State House early Tuesday for filming of the Twentieth Century Studios production of the James L. Brooks movie "Ella McCay."

When did filming begin?

More: University Heights residents get a front-row seat to movie making thanks to 'Ella McCay'

Filming began at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Shooting in and around the State House could last a couple of weeks. The production will also use the office of Gov. Dan McKee, who will be working elsewhere for the duration.

Twentieth Century Studios began filming the James L. Brooks movie Feb. 5 in a quiet East Side neighborhood off Blackstone Boulevard, and has shot at other locations, including a bar created for filming, "Helen's 445," on Broadway; and a coffee shop created for filming, "Coffee and Curios," on Olney Street.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Ella McCay' filming at RI State House. What to know.

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