by KYW's Hadas Kuznits

Traffic sometimes comes to a halt in Philadelphia -- literally -- when the film industry decides to set up shop here.

Lt. Michael Anderson with the Philadelphia Police Department's traffic division says that dealing with films is just one of the department's many duties:

"We'll look at their requests for what kind of streets they're looking to close, and we'll decide what we're willing to give them, what times they can do it, what times they can't do it."

Anderson says they not only consider when to close roads, but also whether to grant special parking spots for equipment and celebrity trailers:

"Artists look at things from their point of view, and we look at things from a realist point of view. We're more concerned with everybody else's impact, and they're more concerned with getting that perfect shot."

(Kuznits:)  "What have you learned about the film industry?"

(Anderson:)  "They don't like to be told no."

But Anderson says an agreement is usually reached:

"I believe right now there's three films shooting in Philadelphia at the same time."

Is that a lot for Phillywood?

"Well, they're major films, so there's a lot going on in the city right now because each film is filming at two or three different locations."

Sometimes, he says, police are there for crowd control:

"Every once in a while you do get a lot of people coming out, trying to get a glimpse of something going on."

But mostly, Anderson says, it's a good experience for everyone involved:

"Whenever the film industry comes in and shows the city in a positive light, it's always a good thing."

So what's his favorite part of rubbing shoulders with the movie industry in Philadelphia?

"When they wrap up."

(Photos #1, #3, and #4 by KYW's Ed Fischer. Photo #2 by KYW's John McDevitt)