For A Props Warehouse In Central Massachusetts, Pandemic Binge Watching Is Big Business

Pandemic-induced binge watching has film and television workers back on the job in central Massachusetts. Westerman Props Warehouse in Worcester is bustling with requests for its treasure trove of seemingly everyday items, like these phones, which are used as set pieces for productions being shot in the region. (Carrie Saldo/GBH News)

“Let me show you something cool,” Dan Diaz said as he opened a door inside of Westerman Props Warehouse in Worcester.

Weapons — some fake, others not—wigs and IDs hung on the walls. They’re just some of the numerous items film, TV and streaming crews are eager to rent while shooting new material in central Massachusetts.

“Thankfully, everybody’s been sitting home watching Netflix and Hulu and AMC,” said Diaz, who manages the business. “So they’re getting more content out.”

Westerman Props Warehouse shuttered when the pandemic hit in March, but Diaz said the props division was busy again within six weeks and hasn’t slowed down since — even though business usually lags in the winter.

And Westerman’s is just one of the central Massachusetts’ businesses benefitting from an uptick in content production.

Read the rest of the story at GBH’s website.