County’s Film Commission Relocates to Fullerton Campus

The Orange County Film Commission will join the county Tourism Council at Cal State Fullerton’s new Center for Entertainment and Tourism, the university said Friday.

The tourism and film organizations had been part of the private Orange County Business Council but “will have more autonomy” on campus, said Business Council head Stan Oftelie.

The film commission, which promotes the county as a location for movies, was funded by Orange County until the county’s bankruptcy filing in 1994, after which it was moved to the Business Council.

The Tourism Council, which previously announced its move to Cal State, was “incubated” by the Business Council before moving out on its own, Oftelie said.

The university’s new center, developed with help from Walt Disney Co., will offer courses and study businesses such as the movies, television, spectator sports, amusement parks and shopping centers.

Industry officials will help the university develop programs, internships and faculty training, said Ephraim P. Smith, Cal State’s vice president for academic affairs.

Financial details are not yet complete, but Smith said Disney, the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Marriott Hotels, South Coast Plaza, Main Place and the Waterfront Hilton are expected to support the center.