Los Angeles Times

Meet the former diplomat and soap opera producer who wants to be California's chief film ambassador

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - On a sweltering July afternoon, Colleen Bell strolled through an alley that had been transformed into a grimy, urban skid row for the CBS police drama "S.W.A.T."

The rusty garage doors, dusty lamps and worn building facades resembled downtown L.A. But Bell was about 40 miles away from the alley's inspiration on the Santa Clarita set of "S.W.A.T.," which was prepping its third season.

"Look at that - amazing," said Bell, marveling at the alley's transformation. "Wow."

As a veteran TV producer, Bell could appreciate such detail. The former U.S. diplomat, who was appointed executive director of

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