It was a homecoming, of sorts, on the set of Naked As We Came In, an independent film that wrapped a two-week shoot in Lincoln on Friday.  The producers, the director and the lead actor (among others) either grew up in Massachusetts, went to college here, or both.     

The film was shot almost entirely at the childhood home of Nia Hatsopoulos, one of the film's producers, who was also one of the first women in the film program at Boston College.  "It's surreal," she says.  "It's been crazy to be in my parents' house, back in my old bedroom." 

The mostly New York-based crew and cast, including Westford, Mass. native Ryan Vigilant, have been staying in rental houses in Concord, where they frequented the local salons, bars and restaurants. Debra's Natural Gourmet in West Concord was also a favorite stop. 

The low-budget production has kept a low profile… for the most part.  "We're clearly from out of town," says Vigilant. "When we first got here some of us were walking around in all black and kind of tight jeans. Two older women were giving us the double look."

The handsome 27-year-old model-turned-actor recently landed a recurring role on the popular CW television show "Gossip Girl".  In Naked As We Came In, Vigilant plays a lead role as one of two siblings – a brother and sister in their mid-20s – who return to their hometown when their eccentric, green-thumbed mother becomes terminally ill and gets involved with a mysterious, younger man. 

Vigilant went to Endicott College before moving to Manhattan to start his career, and says he's enjoyed being back in his home state for the shoot but laments that he hasn't had much time to catch up with his family. 

Director Richard LeMay says his brother brought props for the shoot, and locals have been very supportive, stopping by with meals for the crew and lots of encouragement. 

LeMay grew up in Leominster but he now lives in New York City and says it's been a treat to come home in the fall.  "New England is gorgeous, and I miss that," LeMay says.  "Everywhere you look there's something beautiful.  The crew has been joking that I need to come up with some new adjectives."

The company behind the film, Streetwise Pictures, plans to shoot more feature films in Massachusetts in the coming years. Producer Kim Jackson, who studied at Simmons College and made her first film in Boston, agrees that the autumn scenery here is a big draw (in addition to the state's film tax credits).

"This time of the year is my favorite," Jackson says.  "To have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the season on film is something special."

For more information, visit www.gardenhouseentertainment.com and nakedaswecamethemovie.com.