With Film Permits in Place, City Is Ready to Be Discovered

While not exactly a hub of motion-picture filming in Orange County, Cypress does get some action and wants to get more.

That’s why the City Council this week voted unanimously to streamline the method for getting city filming permits.

“We want to help the film crews if they come into Cypress,” Mayor Tom Carroll said.

Added Councilman Tim Keenan, “Passing this ordinance puts us in line with a lot of other cities in Orange County that are trying to encourage the making of motion pictures in Orange County.”

According to Jim DellaLonga, a city redevelopment technician, the new city ordinance makes it easier for a film crew to get the approval and coordination of all city departments involved. DellaLonga said the Cypress ordinance is patterned on a model law drafted by the Orange County Film Commission.

“The Orange County Film Commission wants to make Orange County more film friendly,” DellaLonga said. “Filming motion pictures brings in a lot of residual income from having crews in the city.”

DellaLonga said that last year, part of a feature film was made in Rossmoor. “Even though the film wasn’t made in Cypress, some of the crew stayed at a hotel here in Cypress,” he said. He added that Cypress has been used as a locale for some commercials and training videos.

Keenan said the city offers some interesting backdrops, including the Los Alamitos Race Course. “And another thing we have is a private railroad owned by Barr Lumber,” Keenan said. “A film crew could rent that railroad and never have to worry about other trains.” Other potential film sites are Cypress College and some of the futuristic buildings in the city’s new business center, Keenan said.

Carroll noted that Cypress is where golf star Tiger Woods grew up. If a made-for-TV movie about Woods’ life ever comes about, the city is sure to be a site, the mayor said. He added, “Wouldn’t that be nice?”