A Behind the Scenes Look at How ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Cast a Spell on Rhode Island

Setha Phongsavan 

Set dressers Stefan Couture (left) and Setha Phongsavan (right). Photography by Wolf Matthewson

Set Dresser, Providence

What did you help build on set? I helped as a set dresser — the furniture, character possessions, lights and all background items that make sets look lived in. We aim to tell a story with just a place. 

Did you work in both the Lincoln and Newport locations? Yes! Dressing the festival in Newport was fun, even when the whole town would show up to take photos. Working at the Lincoln farm gave me flashbacks of my fourth grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation.

Did you have any memorable meetings with cast members? I only saw Bette Midler during one late-night shoot on the East Side. She was chill. 

What did you enjoy the most about working on the Hocus Pocus set? The crew! All the behind-the-scenes local people that put in unrecognized hard work to make things happen. We all have a story to tell in our own way, even if it’s in someone else’s movie. —Dana Laverty

John Ryder 

On Set Dresser, Rumford

Courtesy of John Ryder.

What is an on set dresser and what are the responsibilities? As the on set dresser, I am the sole representative of the set decoration department while the movie is being shot. The decorator, the leadman and all the set dressers put the sets together and prepare it for filming. They all leave as I arrive accompanied by 100 members of the shooting crew. My job is to make sure the look of the set is preserved throughout the filming process. I take a lot of pictures of the set and use that for reference as I reassemble. I make small adjustments (move a picture into frame, take out glass for reflections or adjust drapes for lighting purposes) to make the set look the best I can. I’m part mover, part handyman, part lifeguard.

Did you visit vintage stores or consignment stores or build most of the set? People above my station are doing all that work weeks and months before I arrive; they comb the far regions of the planet looking for appropriate things. Our sets get elaborate and we see them use items from Los Angeles to New York, things from local antique stores and everything in between. Rentals and purchases came from everywhere … much was built, much more than I hope you can tell.

Were the set ideas inspired by the previous movie or does it have its own modern flair? You’ll definitely see some elements from the original movie, small pieces to entire sets. [The creators] are not looking to reinvent the wheel here; this is something that is made with fans of the movie in mind. I think of the original as iconic, and this film doesn’t get made if they don’t respect the 1993 version.

How was your experience working with Rhode Island as the backdrop? I live here and I love to work here. Rhode Island is a great place to work, I wish it happened more often. I work one Rhode Island job every three years on average, [where] it’s less congested, there’s less traffic, and there are beautiful and interesting locations everywhere. I’m a big cheerleader for Rhode Island films, we’d love to see more here. A lot of people have really come out — I had no idea what an influential movie this is for a lot of people, it’s a big part of making the Halloween season. I’m looking forward to seeing how people react to it. While Salem, Mass., was home to the original film, I think you will see Rhode Island put its best foot forward as an enchanting, appealing, historic backdrop. —Edelinda Baptista

Toil and Trouble 

How Hocus Pocus 2 cast and crew haunted local restaurants and food businesses. 

(L-R): Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FROM LEFT: Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Stoneacre Brasserie in Newport was paid by the production to shut down for five nights during the filming so cast and crew could use the restaurant as a crash pad and dressing room. “We all thought that it could have affected business, and it could have deterred people, but they were more curious to see what was going on than anything else,” says Stoneacre Hospitality co-owner Christopher Bender. “Thirty years later, it was interesting to see the three witches in the same room, sitting around this very table.” Adds co-owner David Crowell: “Washington Square was amazing to see. It was an all-out Hollywood production right outside our front door.” stoneacrebrasserie.com 

Figidini in Providence became a favorite spot for Hocus Pocus star Sarah Jessica Parker, who returned repeatedly to dine with her family, including husband Matthew Broderick and son. “Having SJP and many of the production crew dine at Figidini was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had,” says Figidini co-owner Kara Cecchinelli. “SJP was so fascinated by our kitchen, she asked to get a closer look and engaged in conversations about how we make Neapolitan pizza.” figidini.com

Sin in Providence created a cake and cupcakes for Bette Midler’s birthday, in the form of Winnie’s trademark curly red hair and face in frosting. Someone on the production team contacted the bakery to see if they would make a mayonnaise-based cake, a recipe from the ’40s that uses mayo in place of oil and the eggs. “We discovered it was Bette Midler’s birthday on Dec. 1, and so we of course said yes!” says owner Jennifer Luxmoore. “They wanted the cake to be flowery and pretty and not really Hocus Pocus-themed. But then they also added cupcakes, which we did in the Winnie face theme.” eatwicked.com

The production borrowed Great Northern BBQ’s trailer for scenes. “They were filming down the street at the Armory and spotted our food trolley,” says owner Dan Becker. The trailer was re-decaled with the business name Ghoulishly Good, devilishly delicious treats. “They were very easy to work with and exceptionally careful with scheduling and returning the trolley in the same condition they received it,” Becker adds. gnbbqco.com

The Friskie Fries food truck started out in the background on set in Newport but then was converted to an actual prop and filmed on Atwells Avenue and at the Armory. “Something that I started only a while back is now on the set of a Disney movie. That’s insane,” says Friskie Fries co-owner Randy D’Antuono. “I hid in the truck a few times during filming. I actually have a few pics of Sarah and Bette looking in the window, I’m sure saying, ‘Who is this weird guy lurking in the truck?’” friskiefries.com 

Based on social media postings, it seems Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler were fans of Persimmon on the East Side. Reportedly, they both visited during filming, with SJP going back several times because her son is also a student at Brown University. persimmonri.com —Jamie Coelho

Coming up: Conversations with an on-set COVID tester, a super fan and two local extras.