In other cities, Murphy would have to have a police escort to film driving scenes on city streets, but that’s not necessary in Newport, as long as he doesn’t hold up traffic, he said.
Smaller film productions like Murphy’s tire commercial are the “bread and butter” of Newport’s film permitting business, said Joe Cleary, film liaison for the city.
Newport Beach has become a destination for on-location film and photography shoots.
In the first two months of 2010, the city booked 38 days of film production, according to public records. Information on how much revenue film permits generate for the city was not immediately available Tuesday.
Film permits cost about $400 a day in Newport. Production companies also help the local economy by paying location fees to property owners, staying at hotels and hiring caterers.
Aside from its picturesque piers and beaches, one of the reasons production companies favor Newport Beach is its lack of red tape, Cleary said.
The city tries to accommodate production companies that want to film on short notice, Cleary said, adding that it can take a producer weeks to get the proper approvals in other locations.
“We don’t limit ourselves by objecting [to] things people want to do here,” Cleary said.
When film crews come to town, the city’s on-the-scene film liaison, Marty Capune, is usually with them. He makes sure residents still have somewhere to park and directors get all their shots.
Over the years, Capune has tagged along with crews shooting everything from infomercials to the MTV reality show “Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County.”
“Each shoot is different,” Capune said. “I try to make sure the residents aren’t put out. We try to make the city a film-friendly place.”
