Pact Will Expedite Movie Filming in Angeles Forest

The entertainment industry and Angeles National Forest officials have united forces to handle Hollywood movie makers’ requests to film in the forest.

Under a new collaboration, the Entertainment Industry Development Corp. will offer personnel and other resources to help the Forest Service process filming permits.

The effort will increase forest access to filmmakers and satisfy requirements set by Congress for management of the forest, company and forest officials said.

“The forest is an important filming destination,” said company spokesman Morrie Goldman. “We want to keep it accessible for producers.”

Forest officials said they welcome the help, because reduced budgets and small staffs have made that work a challenge.

The company will help process permits for filming in developed areas and on roads within the Angeles National Forest.

But filming that requires an environmental assessment, such as shots that affect streams and vegetation, will temporarily be redirected to the San Bernardino, Cleveland or Los Padres national forests, officials said.