By Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD - A juried exhibition of photography at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is not just an art show.
These are photographs that focus on Pittsfield, from its gritty industrial side all the way through a variety of neighborhoods and setting to some of the soaring architectural beauty that graces the downtown area. And while the show was launched to highlight local artists, it was also a way to give new perspectives to film industry location scouts seeking exciting settings for scenes in upcoming movie projects.
According to Megan Whilden, Pittsfield's director of cultural development, the idea formed more than a year ago when she was touring the city with a location scout prepping for Martin Scorcese's upcoming film, "Shutter Island." It grew further in a meeting with Nick Paleologos, executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office.
The goal, she said, is to give a boost to the creative economy by increasing film industry activity in Berkshire County. The challenge is that the stereotypical image of Berkshire County among many filmmakers is its old mansions, rolling hills, bucolic farmland and pastoral forests. By posting these photos on the Web, film professionals will have new views of the Berkshires to choose from.
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