Just how did Jungleland come to Fall River?

If you’re the mayor's office Special Assistant Monica Sousa, you convince them to come to Fall River.

FALL RIVER — What do you do when Hollywood comes calling, thinking about shooting a movie in the South Coast area?

If you’re the mayor's office Special Assistant Monica Sousa, you convince them to come to Fall River.

That’s what Sousa has been doing since May with the company producing the movie “Jungleland,” which started filming in the city this week.

“I know the city, I love the city, so I’ve been selling them on the city,” said Sousa, on her way to meet up with assistant location manager Thomas Mahoney. “They tell me an idea of what they’re looking for and then I’ve been hunting places down. If they tell me they’ve found a place in New Bedford, I say ‘no, I’ve got a better spot here.’ Luckily I’m a Fall River girl so I know a lot of people and I can connect them with the movie folks.”

On Thursday, Sousa and Mahoney met at the Fall River YMCA to talk with management and to get permission to film a scene on the building's front steps. Sousa then guided him to the parking lot of Britland Park, a spot where film crews could park their trucks and equipment while filming in that part of the city.

Produced by Scott Free, the company owned by famed movie director Ridley Scott, “Jungleland” stars Charlie Hunnam, a player in the hit television show, “Sons of Anarchy,” and actors Jack O’Connell and Owen Burke.

Among his movie biography, O’Connell starred in the movie “Unbroken” with Angelina Jolie and Burke has acted in a number of movies as well, including “The Equalizer” with Denzel Washington.

A filmmaker and screenwriter, Max Winkler will be directing “Jungleland.” Winkler is the son of Henry Winkler,

One of the places Sousa introduced to the location scouts is the Police Athletic League on Franklin Street where the movie’s boxing scenes will be filmed.

Thursday morning a caravan of movie trucks and trailers were parked outside the PAL and crews were readying the building for filming.

A handful of fans, mostly women, gathered outside hoping to get a glimpse of Hunnam who plays one of two brothers in the film.

New pictures of Charlie Hunnam in Fall River, with a lucky fan (Via Ashley Miss-Cantrell) . #charliehunnam #jungleland

A post shared by Charlie Hunnam (@charliiehunnam) on Aug 23, 2018 at 6:44am PDT

Sousa said it’s been a great experience working with the crew of “Jungleland” and they seem very happy working with the city.

“They’re very personable and friendly, they just happen to be from Hollywood, which is unusual for us to interact with, and they're very appreciative of the assistance,” said Sousa.

And the people of the city have been very welcoming to the movie company, she said.

Sousa said she’s hoping that if the film crews experience in Fall River continues to be a positive one they’ll take that message back to Hollywood.

“I really think this is going to open us up to more interest and really showcase Fall River,” Sousa said. “We have so many gems here, I love seeing their reaction. There’s really so much excitement.”

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com

The producers of "Jungleland" had questions about Fall River, maybe you do too? Submit them in the form below or visit heraldnews.com/fall-river-wonders.