ROCKPORT — It's early April and hardly any of its shops are open yet, but Bearskin Neck was abuzz with activity yesterday as Disney's production of "The Proposal" completed its first day of filming in Rockport.

With the help of a little Hollywood magic, Bearskin Neck was transformed into Sitka, Alaska. The film, which stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, is set in the Alaskan seaport village and tells the story of a high-powered publishing executive (Bullock) with an expired visa who is trying to avoid deportation to Canada by convincing her assistant (Reynolds) to marry her.

Bullock is known for her roles in such films as "Speed" and "Miss Congeniality," while Reynolds achieved box office success as the title character in 2002's "Van Wilder" and most recently in this year's "Definitely, Maybe."

"The community has been very cooperative so far," the film's unit publicist, Scott Levine, said yesterday. "We're sensitive to the fact (Bearskin Neck) is an important part of town."

Residents crammed the sidewalks at the head of the Neck, eager to catch a glimpse of the stars or just curious as to what was involved in a movie shoot.

Stephanie Daigle, 18, was watching from the head of the Neck around 4 p.m. yesterday, even though she had already visited the set with her media class earlier in the day.

"We talked to the one of the producers and some assistants and they told us who did what," said the Rockport High School senior. "We asked if they needed any extras, but they said they were looking for a certain look."

Levine said one of the scenes shot earlier in the day involved many local kids.

"The crew members talked to them and gave them a sense of what they did," Levine said.

Banners advertising the name of the Alaskan island in both English and Russian hang on light poles along the Neck and several storefronts were altered for the scene.

The Kanegis Gallery can be seen in the film as the Sitka Internet Cafe, while James Russell Goldsmiths was transformed into Alaska Outfitters.

The Bean & Leaf Cafe remained open during the filming; Levine said it got steady business from the film's crew.

Reynolds and costar Malin Akerman ("27 Dresses") shot a scene in front of The Ice Cream Store around 5 p.m. yesterday. Director Ann Fletcher was forced to yell cut during the first take as a plane flew overhead, drowning out the actors' lines.

Levine said the film is set during the Alaskan summer and so far, the weather in Rockport hasn't disappointed. The cast and crew hope the weather continues to play its role perfectly today as shooting resumes on Main Street.

Scenes will be shot in Rockport throughout next week before moving on to locations in Gloucester and Manchester later this month.

The movie also reportedly stars Betty White, Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen.

Disney has offered to donate $7,000 to the town — $1,000 for each day it films in Rockport — in addition to paying for police details, ambulances and donations to local business owners whose buildings are filmed for the movie.

The movie should hit theaters by September 2009.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.

Shooting schedule

The tentative schedule of next week's shooting locations, according to Town Administrator Michael Racicot:

Today: Area of Bearskin Neck, Main Street.

April 14: Bradley Wharf.

April 15: Inside the Haskins Building, 37 Main St.

April 16: To be decided.

April 17: Scenes shot from ocean looking toward Rockport.

April 18: Inside the Haskins Building.