ine Producer Andrea Ajemian of Worcester was relaxing with a cup of Yogi Tea Saturday night after the first day of filming “Grace,” a movie directed by Princeton native John Stimpson and produced by Boston-based Moody Independent film company, when she read the tag on the teabag steeping in her mug.

“Grace brings contentment,” it read.

She thought it was a good omen.

Filming kicked into high gear Monday as Paul’s Center Bakery & Diner on Elm Street turned into a Hollywood set for the movie, which explores the perils of underage drinking and driving.

Ms. Ajemian said the plot involves a high school senior named Grace, who is about to head off to prison for contributing to the death of her best friend in a car crash after she experiments with alcohol.

The title role is played by Hollywood television actor Kelcie Stranahan, who has appeared in such series as “Without a Trace.”

Ms. Stranahan is joined by Maiara Walsh, who has appeared in “Desperate Housewives,” playing the ghost of her best friend.

Liz Vassey of “CSI: Las Vegas” and a lengthy résumé of other shows including the soap opera “All My Children,” plays Grace’s mother.

Several local actors also have roles in the film, including Gwen Callahan of Holden and Sarah Cote of Sutton, and college students from Clark University and Fitchburg State University are among the production’s volunteer interns.

Paul’s Center Bakery, an institution on Millbury’s busy thoroughfare for two decades, was scouted as a location by film company member Kim Leoleis of Grafton.

“She said she found the cutest coffee shop,” Ms. Ajemian said.

In the scene being shot in and around the bakery, Grace is supposed to meet a friend, who stands her up.

Saturday’s filming took place in Worcester.

“Everyone’s really great (about filming) in Central Mass.,” Ms. Ajemian said. “For the small indies (independent film companies), it’s super nice.”

Jennifer Gareau of Grafton stopped by to watch the Millbury filming with her daughters Chloe, 3 1/2, and Corrie, 2, who got woken up early from her nap for the excitement. Chloe, who was still in her leotard and ballet slippers from dance class, said “It was fun” to see a real movie being made.

“Her favorite part was when they called, ‘Action!’ and ‘Cut!’” Ms. Gareau said.

Kent Stowe of Millbury was walking down the street and asked whether this was the Tom Hanks movie he’d heard about at the CVS. He laughed when he heard that this film didn’t involve that Hollywood star.

“That’s how things spread in a small town,” he said.

A Tom Hanks movie is being shot at Worcester Airport and other Central Massachusetts locations, however.

Mr. Stowe said he thought it was a great idea that a movie was being filmed in Millbury. “It’s an old mill town,” he said.

The film’s topic, he thought, might raise awareness of drunk driving.

Ms. Ajemian said filming of Grace will continue for about three weeks and then it will go into postproduction. Distribution of the film is not yet determined.

“With any independent film, you hope somebody picks it up,” she said.

Mr. Stimpson has previously directed and written the Lifetime television dramas, “Sexting in Suburbia” and the paranormal thriller, “The Legend of Lucy Keyes,” among other films.
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AWESOME News – Liz tweeted last night she is going to return to Necessary Roughness!

In addition, the cable channel has booked the network premieres of “Walking the Halls” and “Sexting in Suburbia” (formerly “Shattered Silence”) for Saturday, January 7 and Saturday, January 14, respectively, at 8:00/7:00c. The films join previously announced originals “Drew Peterson: Untouchable” on January 21 and “The Pregnancy Project” on January 28.

Jamie Luner, Caitlin Thompson, Al Sapienza and Marie Avgeropoulos star in “Halls,” about a high school senior (Thompson) seduced into the fast lifestyle of a call girl ring, while Liz Vassey, Jenn Proske, Ryan Kelley and Kelli Goss topline “Suburbia,” about a mom (Vassey) who investigates her daughter’s (Proske) suicide after a naked picture intended for her boyfriend goes viral.

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The long awaited launch of Liz Vassey Online is here! I’ve been a fan of Liz since the All My Children Days (Crazy Emily Ann was one of the first summers I was home watching AMC) and have followed her career since there (The Tick, CSI) and thought now was the time to build this site as a great place for Liz fans.

So keep checking back for more photos, news and screencaps!