Movie Filming Stops Traffic, Pedestrians

Film crews descended on Harvard Square this week for the filming of Prozac Nation, creating crowds of gawking onlookers and traffic delays along Mass. Ave.

Based on a book by Elizabeth L. Wurtzel '89, a former Crimson editor, the screenplay features a Harvard student--played by actor Christina Ricci--and her struggles mental depression while in college.

Actors Ricci, Jessica Lange, Jason Biggs and Michelle Williams all made appearances in Cambridge for the shooting of the Millennium Films production.

The film crew set up around the Harvard Square T stop and Holyoke Center on Tuesday, blocking off portions of Mass. Ave. and adjacent sidewalks to drivers and pedestrians.

An electronic billboard was posted along Mass. Ave. warning of delays from Tuesday through Friday as Cambridge Police Department officers helped direct traffic.

According to Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) spokesperson Peggy A. McMamara, HUPD also patrolled limited areas--in the Yard, at University gates and at Holyoke Center--but was not involved in controlling traffic.

The movie's producer Brad Weston said that the crowds and traffic have not been a problem.

"We're excited to be here," Weston said. "Everyone has been very pleasant."

Throughout the shooting of the movie, cars from the 1980s and actors dressed in stereotypical "preppy" attire covered the streets.

The movie does not have a release date yet, but filming has been going on for seven weeks in other locations.

As with other movie productions that take place in the area, representatives had to meet with University and city officials to plan the logistics of filming in the Square.

"That enables us to be aware and to work with the companies when they film on public places with Harvard in the background," said University spokesperson Joe Wrinn. "It promotes cooperation logistically, so the company has the least effect on the workings of the University."

Due to the University's rules against filming in Harvard Yard, scenes were only shot in neighboring areas.

"Almost on a daily basis TV documentary films come for education purposes," Wrinn said. "But we don't allow commercial use of the land."

Besides the Mass. Ave. scenes, portions of the movie take place at the Weeks Memorial Footbridge over the Charles River near Leverett House.

Other parts of the movie have been filmed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and at Wheaton College.