Here are the state buildings where ‘Ella McCay’ scenes will be filmed

PROVIDENCE — Wait, was that Emma Mackey walking out of Gov. Dan McKee’s office? 

Expect to see the Barbie actor along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson and others involved in “Ella McCay” appearing regularly at the Rhode Island State House next month. The Capitol building plays a prominent role in the upcoming romantic drama directed by James L. Brooks. 

The State Properties Committee Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with 20th Century Studios to shoot scenes in the State House starting March 15. Rhode Island Film & Television Office Executive Director Steven Feinberg told the committee the studio will pay the state $1,500 per day of filming, which he said is scheduled to happen through mid-April.

“This is a wonderful thing,” Feinberg told reporters after the meeting. “You’ve got an Academy Awarding-winning and Emmy Award-winning director — this guy is unbelievable, a legend.”

The film follows young politician Ella McCay, played by Mackey, as she juggles family and work while preparing to take over the job of her mentor — the state’s longtime incumbent governor played by Albert Brooks.

Also starring in the film: Oscar-nominee Kumail Nanjiani, FX’s “The Bear” star Ayo Edibiri, and Spike Fearn.

Shooting at the State House will take place inside some of the hallways, the State Room, State Library, House chambers, and the governor’s office, Feinberg said.

McKee spokesperson Olivia DaRocha said the governor will temporarily work from the Department of Administration offices across the street while crews film inside his office. He will also use the time as an opportunity to visit other state departments and agencies.

“This gives him firsthand insight into agency operations as well as an opportunity to speak directly with staff,” DaRocha said in an email Tuesday afternoon.

20th Century Studios will also shoot at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) headquarters across the street from the State House at 2 Capitol Hill for a scene where characters cross Smith Street to go down a stairwell by the main entrance.

Feinberg said he does not expect any interruptions to daily operations at RIDOT because of filming.

“There are multiple entry ways right around the corner,” he said.

Filming of “Ella McCay” officially kicked off Monday, with crews conducting principal photography on Blackstone Boulevard on Providence’s East Side. Film production crews spent the last two months setting up sets and logistics at the Cranston Street Armory, which 20th Century Studious is leasing through May for the cost of $10,000 per month plus utilities, Feinberg said.

Getting money is one thing, but Feinberg said he’s more excited about the exposure Rhode Island is getting. He cited cast and crew grabbing dinner at Bacco Vino & Contorni on Federal Hill on Jan. 31 and Harrelson also stopped by Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston over the weekend.

“It’s going to promote our state across the world,” Feinberg said.

In 2023, the state received 19 applications from film, TV, and web productions seeking tax credits under the state’s motion picture company tax credit law. Names of each production are left off of the impact analysis posted on the Department of Revenue’s Division of Taxation website. 

Credits are based on a 2022 report from Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Industrial Economics Inc., which found that every $1 dollar in public funds given to a film production results in $5.44 in economic activity.

One production, which filed an application in June, is expected to spend roughly $38.2 million and get $11.5 million in credits. Another, filed in mid-September, planned to spend roughly $30.7 million and get $9.2 million  in tax credits.

Department of Revenue spokesperson Paul Gramaldi said his office “can’t comment on individual taxpayers or credit applications.”