Huntington Beach Film Commission Formed to Pitch Surf City to Producers

​When it comes to popular culture, Huntington Beach is most known for its contributions to music (from surf to hardcore punk), reality television (2008's Ocean Force: Huntington Beach, O.C.) and power couples (MMA "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz and retired porn star Jenna Jameson). Un-retired porn stars also call Surf City home, but their film crews are likely not the ones the newly formed Huntington Beach Film Commission hopes to bring to town.

The Huntington Beach Marketing and Visitors Bureau, with some funds kicked in by the city, launched both the commission and new FilmHuntingtonBeach.com website.

Ready for its close-up.

​"Huntington Beach has been fortunate to be the site of many different television programs, films and commercials," City Manager Fred Wilson says in a press release. "We are pleased to support the new film commission and continue to welcome producers to the city. The Huntington Beach Film Commission will be a true asset to location managers and production teams, assisting in scouting locations and processing permits."

Assistance for film, television, online, photography and commercial productions in need of locations, lodging and catering within Huntington Beach will be provided free by the commission, which provides location scouts and production companies plenty of prospective shooting spots via the website.

Orange County native and Cal State Long Beach film and electronic arts graduate Briton Saxton has been named HB film commissioner. Saxton promises to divulge to location managers not only the hotspots in town but lesser known locations that might fit their projects--all via email.