Bryce Dallas Howard's 'The Help' Filming In Jackson This Week

Bryce Dallas Howard's 'The Help' Filming In Jackson This Week

Crews are in Jackson this week filming scenes for "The Help," the DreamWorks Studios film based on a best-selling book.

The book, written by Mississippi native Kathryn Stockett, is a tale about black maids living in Jackson in the 1960s. The author's mother, Ruth Stockett, is an extra in the movie.

"I'm so glad she brought that story home, because it could have been in any southern state, really," Ruth Stockett said.

The film, which is expected to be released in 2011, stars Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard and is directed by Tate Taylor.

Filmmakers sent the Fondren area back in time Wednesday, with classic cars and actors dressed in period clothing, to film scenes at Brent's Drugs on Duling Avenue.

Some members of the production team grew up and Jackson and said they worked to shoot it in their hometown.

"We knew if we could convince them to bring the production here that we would make a fabulous film, and it's just been great," said Brunson Green, a member of the production team.

Although it was a closed set, fans stood outside to take pictures and to get a glimpse behind the scenes.

To accommodate filming, parking was prohibited on Duling Avenue, which was also closed intermittently during the day. Duling Avenue will also be closed from Morgan Place to State Street from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Morgan Place adjacent to McDade's Market was also closed on Wednesday.

Filming will continue Thursday morning along State Street between Mitchell Avenue and Hartsfield Avenue, city officials said. Crews will film at the State Capitol Thursday afternoon.

State Street will be closed from Fondren Place to Broadway Avenue from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, city officials said. A detour will be posted along Fondren Place, Old Canton Road, Galloway Avenue and Broadway Avenue.

Parking will not be allowed on State Street from Wednesday night until the conclusion of filming Thursday afternoon, city officials said. All day Thursday, parking will be prohibited next to the State Capitol along Mississippi Street, from Congress Street to West Street, and on West Street, from Mississippi Street to Hamilton Street.

On Friday morning, film crews will shoot scenes in the Greenwood Cemetery and at the Mayflower Café on Capitol and Roach streets, city officials said.

The southbound lane of West Street will be closed from Davis Street to George Street Friday morning to accommodate filming, city officials said.

There will be no parking allowed Friday on Capitol Street between Roach Street and Farish Street and on Roach Street between Capitol Street and Pascagoula Street, city officials said.

Police will intermittently close Capitol and Roach streets Friday to allow for exterior filming, city officials said.