NEWARK, NJ — When actor Chris Rock shoots his upcoming movie, he'll have the experience of the Newark Department of Public Works to draw upon as inspiration.

On Thursday, Rock paid a trip to the Newark DPW to speak with sanitation workers, according to a spokesperson with the Newark Mayor's Office. His goal? To do background research for an upcoming role as a garbage worker. Newark's DPW employees were happy to oblige the well-known actor, who has appeared in films including New Jack City, Lethal Weapon 4, Dogma, Pootie Tang, Osmosis Jones and Madagascar.

DPW Director Khalif Thomas led a tour and discussion about the department's operations, giving Rock a chance to speak with workers about their duties and responsibilities. Mayor Ras Baraka also attended the tour, which ended with a photo session with members of the various work crews. Rock and his production crew selected Newark, rather than NYC, because he was able to have a "more intimate experience," a spokesperson for the mayor's office said.

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