Filming for X-Rated Movie Creates a Stir in Burbank

In a city that flaunts its ties to the entertainment industry, Burbank police clerk Norma Brolsma did not think twice about granting a permit to yet another filmmaker wanting to shoot in Burbank.

What Brolsma said she did not know was that the scenes were for an X-rated movie involving oral copulation and intercourse at the city’s water and power plant.

The shoot for “Fantasy Chamber” by the Ultimate Video production company last weekend alarmed some plant employees who arrived for work Sunday morning to see sexual gymnastics involving groups of two and three actors.

“That’s not the type of image we want for the city,” said Ron Stassi, general manager of the city’s Public Services Department, who fielded several complaints from his employees.

Two city workers told The Times that as they reported to work Sunday morning, they saw an actress having sex with two men at once.

Police Chief Dave Newsham said he saw nothing wrong with his department’s handling of the application. Brolsma said she was aware that mild nudity would be involved in the filming.

City Manager Bud Ovrom said the permit “slipped through the cracks.”

“But its not a major crisis. We’ll find a procedure to correct it in the future,” he said.

Burbank’s policy for granting film permits, which is now limited to determining how many people are in the cast and crew, whether special effects or stunts will be done, and if interior or exterior shots are needed, will be reviewed, city officials said.

Brothers Nick and Anthony Pinkowski, who operate Ultimate Video in Chatsworth, contend that they made it clear to the Burbank Police Department that they were in the adult entertainment business.

“Fantasy Chamber” refers to a sensory deprivation tank in the movie that enables anyone who steps inside it to visualize sexual fantasies. Burbank’s water and power plant on North Lake Street seemed to be the perfect spot to film them, the brothers said.

The power plant has been used for filming scenes for the movie “Thelma and Louise” and another picture starring Hulk Hogan. Burbank issues permits for filming between 175 and 200 productions a year.