The May 8 Host Forum at the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference, titled “Lights, Camera, Long Beach!”, gave attendees an entertaining look into how Long Beach has become a filming mecca for Southern California.

Kevin Lee, marketing manager, Long Beach Transit (LBT), noted how the city is a magnet for film crews and spoke about its adaptability: “One day we’re San Diego, the next day we’re Spain.”

Tasha Day, film commissioner, City of Long Beach, told the audience that more than 800 productions are filmed in the city each year, citing such examples as CSI: Miami and Dexter. “It sounds glamorous,” she said, but behind the scenes much coordination is needed. She recognized LBT Operations Supervisor Michael Wilson for his efforts redirecting buses and moving bus stops to accommodate filming. She also showed an action-packed video of the many scenes and episodes filmed on Long Beach’s streets, under its bridges, and along its public transit routes.

Paul Codiga, location manager for CSI, discussed how his crew successfully works with LBT to film scenes while minimizing disruption to the public transit service and ensuring everyone’s safety.

Referring to CSI: Miami, Codiga said: “My bosses here in California told me—‘You have to find me a Miami that’s here.’ Everything we needed was here. Our situation is evolving, but at the end of the day we’re going to go where we can to get the work done. This town is great. We would come back here to shoot anything. Long Beach Transit gets it. They know what all the excitement is and that relationship enables us to create a product.”

Marcelle Epley, LBT chief administrative officer/senior vice president, said the agency was thrilled APTA brought the conference there. She recognized Larry Jackson, president and chief executive officer, for his 38 years in the industry and thanked him for his dedication to Long Beach.

Robyn Peterson, chief operating officer/senior vice president, LBT, spoke passionately about the agency’s many dedicated LBT employees. “When Catalina Island was on fire,” she recalled, LBT was there to help and lend comfort. “We are a huge family; we don’t just put service on the streets.”

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy, second from right, joined the Host Forum speakers, from left: Paul Codiga, moderator Kevin Lee, Robin Peterson, Marcelle Epley, Tasha Day, and Michael Wilson.