AMHERST — A movie being written and directed by playwright Annie Baker, filming in the region this summer, shoots at Mount Pollux Conservation Area for two days next month.

But even when the film crew is at the South Amherst site, tentatively on the afternoons and evenings of Aug. 15 and 16, the public will continue to be able to access the location.

The Conservation Commission on Wednesday approved the land use application submitted by members of the production company for the feature film titled “Janet Planet,” which according to a description online “follows 11-year-old Lacy, her mother Janet, and the three people who come into their lives over one summer in 1991.”

Meredith Crowley, a location manager for the production, told the commission that the scene at Mount Pollux is important for Baker.

“It’s one of the most special locations to our director,” Crowley said of the drumlin, formed by glaciers, that provides 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

The filming will be done in a low-impact way, with a minimal crew on scene and limited utilities needed on site.

Because of the challenges to accessing the site and the small parking area, the production company will hire police details to enhance safety for the public.

In addition, production assistants will assist people walking through the site to make sure they don’t interfere when filming is underway.

Crowley said the site will be needed for just two days, but the dates may have to change in case of inclement weather. Amherst will also receive $1,500 for each day of filming.

Audrey Lorea, who is also involved in the production, told the commission plans are for busing people from off site and dropping them off at Mount Pollux, rather than parking on site.

Though approved, commissioner Michelle Labbe expressed concern about equity and the precedent being set in approving the use of the site.

“My main concern is saying that we’re shutting down the parking lot for this event because I don't want to do that for a single event,” Labbe said.

Labbe notes the site is popular for weddings, with one also approved for September. Like the movie filming, the wedding party will not be able to close off the site.

Wetlands Administrator Erin Jacque said even with the approval, Mount Pollux is first come, first serve, and that no one will be telling people already on site to leave once filming begins.

Much of the filming is being done in the coming weeks in the area.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>