HUNTINGTON BEACH : TV Casting Call Brings in Hopefuls

Hoping for their big break, more than 60 would-be TV broadcasters showed up Sunday for the city’s own star search.

Open auditions were held for on-air talent to appear on Huntington Beach’s municipal channel, HBTV-3.

“We had a lot of very talented individuals,” said Richard Barnard, deputy city administrator and HBTV-3 station manager. “All of them were outstanding.”

Barnard said of the 62 people who showed up with their resume and photo, about 47 were auditioned. The remaining will take their screen tests April 23.

All of the people who tried out will become part of the station’s talent pool and may be asked to host a talk show, conduct field interviews or do some reporting.

“As we develop shows in the future, we’re going to look to the pool to fill our needs for talent, whether for reporting, interviews or voice-over,” city spokesman Jim Hanggi said.

The jobs pay nothing, but the volunteer talent will get experience in television and be able to earn title credits and develop a resume tape.

Barnard said the crew of broadcasters is needed because the station is developing new programming to diversify its offerings. He said they are looking at offering a shop-at-home show, programs on arts and city history, and coverage of local sporting events.

To do all that, though, the station is looking for businesses to underwrite the costs of these programs.