Movie makers have spent millions of dollars in Connecticut since the state put attractive tax credits in place.

That's a big reason they've been choosing to come to here to shoot their films, but it's not the only reason.

Just off of Main Street in quiet North Canaan sits a little piece of Americana in the Litchfield Hills. It's the quintessential old-fashioned diner and that's just the way the owner Ameen Storm Abu-Hamsy wants it.

"The people that come in here become family," Abu-Hamsy said. "They are family."

The Collins Diner has been serving the locals since 1941. Although, staring this weekend, it'll be serving Hollywood as a set for a movie called 'The Vicious Kind.' This movie is about a college kid who brings his new girlfriend home during Thanksgiving Break.

"This diner's amazing, especially the aesthetic from the outside. It's perfect for our film," Location Manager Jonny Urband said.

As a Location Manager, Urband must go out and find the real-life places that match the director's dream. In this case, he was looking for small-town charm and a New England feel. That's something Urband says Litchfield County provides.

It also provides the economic incentives that come along with filming in Connecticut. "With the money we have on hand we can make the film we want to make. And it's due in part to the tax credits," Producer Tim Harms said.

The 'Vicious Kind' isn't a big-budget production, but Harms is hoping it'll become another breakout hit along the lines of recent movies like 'Juno.'

The film already shares something in common with 'Juno;' actor J.K. Simmons. It also stars Brittany Snow who was most recently seen in 'Hairspray.'

Don't discount the important role being played by the diner though. "It's a piece of American History," Abu-Hamsy said. "The classic diner and hopefully the film will show that beauty."

"Ultimately, when you see a film on screen, you're looking -- hopefully 40 feet across -- at the location you shot and if that's not interesting, that's not convincing," Harms said, "well then the film's not gonna work."

Although with settings like the Collins Diner the producers are convinced this film will work.

Originally published online here: http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=7983805