September Lens Flare: What’s Next for Boston Video Production
Boston video production is about to hit overdrive as September brings marquee festivals, high-profile shoots, and new soundstage capacity to the Hub. From the red carpet at the 41st Boston Film Festival to Mark Wahlberg’s lensing of Weekend Warriors in Lynn, here’s what insiders should track over the next two weeks.
Boston Film Festival Returns (Sept 18-22)
Celebrating its 41st year, the Boston Film Festival (BFF) will unspool 30+ features and shorts across the Paramount Center and other downtown venues from September 18-22. Organizers promise in-person Q&As plus a virtual pass for remote viewers, continuing the hybrid format that doubled ticket sales in 2024. Expect strong regional representation: five Massachusetts-made narratives snagged premiere slots, offering local crews valuable showcase time before awards season.
Key industry takeaways
- Premieres generate tax-credit–eligible spend on lodging, transport, and marketing.
- BFF’s talent-matching sessions pair producers with New England crew lists, often leading to fall hiring surges.
- Festival chatter frequently sets the development slate for next spring’s pilot season.
Mark Wahlberg’s Weekend Warriors Shoots in Lyn
Fresh off The Family Plan, Wahlberg is back home filming “Weekend Warriors,” an Apple Studios dramedy about a father and autistic son visiting every NBA arena. Principal photography began Sept 9 in Lynn, with additional dates booked for TD Garden exteriors and South Boston rooftops. Production will rotate 300 extras per game scene and lean on Boston-area gaffers familiar with sports-arena lighting.
Production impact: Local vendors report a bump in grip-truck rentals, and the Lynn Film Office issued six composite permits for drone work—an encouraging sign for suburban municipalities courting feature work.
New BU Studio Bolsters Infrastructure
Boston University’s College of Communication is wrapping construction on its state-of-the-art multipurpose studio, slated to open for fall-semester shoots later this month. The 4,500-sq-ft facility features a full-grid LED wall, motion-capture volume, and Dolby Atmos mix room—amenities that will be rentable to independent producers during academic downtimes.
Bullet Highlights
- Virtual production-ready: Unreal Engine workflow certified.
- Green initiative: 90% of lighting is energy-sipping RGBW LEDs.
- Student-pro crew pool: BU will maintain a vetted roster of upper-level students for extern shoots, easing crew shortages.
Series Spotlight: Boston Blue Teaser Drops
Detective drama “Boston Blue,” a spinoff of CBS’s Blue Bloods, released its first teaser on Sept 4, confirming on-location shoots in Beacon Hill and Dorchester later this fall. Early press introduces Sonequa Martin-Green as Detective Lena Silver opposite Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan, setting up fresh demand for police-procedural sets and stunt driving permits.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re scouting for crew gigs or planning brand content, the next fortnight offers fertile ground. Keep permit apps ready, book gear early, and stay tuned—Boston’s lenses are only getting hotter.
