We owe it to America to help Hollywood get it right
Although the military has a long history of collaborating with the entertainment industry, I’m still surprised when I meet filmmakers or artists who don’t know that the United States Air Force has an office dedicated to helping them tell military stories. (Each branch of the service has an Entertainment Liaison, working to promote accurate depiction of the military in film/TV.)
Rather than spend money and manpower on building fake military sets or props, studios and production companies can connect with us to get access to REAL Airmen or United States Space Force Guardians, and get access to the bases that house our aircraft, training facilities, and other assets that make for great storytelling.
For better or for worse, many people gain their knowledge about America’s military from what they see in film, television, and video games. In our all-volunteer military, it’s important that we project and protect the image of our service members through accurate depiction in entertainment projects.
The way we see it, producers are going to create a show with or without us. Understanding most people in entertainment have never served, we prefer Hollywood chooses to create WITH us.
We owe it to America’s youth, unsure about whether they should give years of their life in service.
We owe it to their parents, who struggle with entrusting the military with their most prized possession — their daughters and sons.
We owe it to the Veterans who served in uniform before us, who take pride in their service and will not hesitate to call BS when they see it on screen.
We owe it to America to help Hollywood get it right.
So, I’m trying to spread the word about our team. I invited Producer/Director Joseph G. from the Air Force’s premiere audiovisual production center, the 3rd Audiovisual Squadron (“The 3rd’s the WORD!”) to come to Los Angeles to help us create an introductory video. It will be a tool I (and future Entertainment Liaison officers) can use to show Hollywood what we offer.
I’ll share once it’s completed. In the meantime, if you’re working in film, television or gaming with an Air Force or Space Force story to tell, reach out! We’ve got you covered.
