As J.J. Abrams’ new movie ‘Ghostwriter’ films on PVD’s Point Street Bridge, crowds are coming to watch.

PROVIDENCE – As crews prepared during the day Sunday, Aug. 24 for a night of filming J.J. Abrams’ “Ghostwriter,” curiosity was piqued among those in the area of the Point Street Bridge.

“I wondered what was going on,” said Akelo Agingu, who normally takes the bus from Cranston and then walks across the bridge.

“It said sidewalk is closed, and I saw all the police cars,” said Agingu. So she walked upriver and crossed the Van Liesten pedestrian bridge before setting up under a tree, surrounded by movie lights, to do some knitting.

Filming of ‘Ghostwriter’ is the talk of the town

“Everybody’s talking about it,” said Shannon Bankert, a worker at Fellini’s Pizzeria, just up the street from the bridge. “Everybody’s excited.”

That excitement began about a week earlier, when notices went out that parking would be restricted a few blocks away, near Rockstar Piercing at the corner of Hope Street and Wickenden Street.

In less than half an hour, at least three customers talked about the filming, including a Providence police officer, who confirmed that Jenna Ortega, one of the movie’s stars, had not made the trip to Providence to shoot scenes for the movie and that Glen Powell, who has been widely spotted, is the only celebrity actor in town.

‘Ghostwriter’ movie shoot showcases Providence

The filming preparations added to a normally pleasant walk across the Point Street Bridge for Greta and Jennifer Heiss when it was closed to vehicles.

“Enjoying the view and having the excitement of seeing how this gets orchestrated,” said Greta Heiss.

“It showcases what a great community this is,” said Jennifer Heiss.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Crowd comes to watch filming of J.J. Abrams movie ‘Ghostwriter’ in Providence