R 051856Z JUN 12

ALCOAST 273/12
COMDTNOTE 5780
SUBJ: ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA GUIDANCE FOR UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS
UNCLAS //N05780//
A.PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANUAL, COMDTINST M5728.2D
B.14 U.S.C. 659
1.INTRODUCTION: THIS ALCOAST INFORMS ALL COMMAND-DESIGNATED UNIT
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS (PAOS) ON THE COMMON PRACTICES THEY SHOULD
TAKE WITH REGARD TO ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA INQUIRIES OR OFFICIAL
REQUESTS FOR COAST GUARD SUPPORT. IT ELABORATES ON POLICIES LISTED IN
REFERENCE A, CHAPTER 9, AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE
POLICIES.
POLICIES.
2.BACKGROUND: CG-0922M, THE MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION OFFICE
(MOPIC), IS THE ONLY ENTITY IN THE SERVICE WITH APPROVAL AUTHORITY
FOR SUPPORT TO ENTERTAINMENT OR NON-NEWS TELEVISION SHOWS AND MAJOR
MOTION PICTURES AS DEFINED IN REFERENCES A AND B. MOPIC IS A
HEADQUARTERS-DESIGNATED PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE WITH AUTHORITY TO SIGN
LEGAL CONTRACTS KNOWN AS PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS (PAA). THE
PAA SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES LIABILITY AND PROVIDES A LAYER OF
PROTECTION FOR COAST GUARD COMMANDS.
3.MISSION: MOPICS MISSION IS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND
UNDERSTANDING OF THE U.S COAST GUARD, ITS MEMBERS, AND ITS MISSIONS
THROUGH A COOPERATIVE EFFORT WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. THIS
MISSION IS COMPLETED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE U.S. TAXPAYER.  THE
SERVICE IS WELL REGARDED FOR ITS SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION WITH THE
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. IN FY2011 ALONE, THE U.S. COAST GUARD
SUPPORTED 49 TELEVISION PROJECTS AND TWO MAJOR MOTION PICTURES WITH
COAST GUARD CONTENT.  ON AVERAGE, EVERY EIGHT DAYS YOU WILL SEE THE
U.S. COAST GUARD ON-AIR BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF 6.1 MILLION U.S.
VIEWERS.  THE U.S. COAST GUARD IS FEATURED OR REPRESENTED IN A MAJOR
MOTION PICTURE ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS.
4.ACTION: PAOS SHALL FOLLOW THE BELOW GUIDANCE WHEN ENGAGING WITH ANY
MEMBER OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY:
A.REFER: ALL ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY INQUIRIES, REQUESTS, AND VISITS
SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ROUTED TO MOPIC. PRODUCTION COMPANIES WILL
OFTEN CONTACT LOCAL COAST GUARD UNITS DIRECTLY, INADVERTENTLY OR
INTENTIONALLY BYPASSING THE ESTABLISHED VETTING PROCESS. UNITS SHOULD
NOT ENGAGE THESE CONTACTS BEYOND REFERRING THEM TO MOPIC.
B.DECLINE: DO NOT SIGN ANY FORMS PROVIDED BY THE ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY TO COAST GUARD COMMANDS AND MEMBERS. THIS INCLUDES IMAGE
RELEASE FORMS AND LOCATION RELEASE FORMS. OFTEN, PRODUCTIONS FILMING
ON COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL VESSELS WILL UNINTENTIONALLY FILM
COAST GUARD MEMBERS CONDUCTING VESSEL BOARDINGS. IN ORDER TO USE THE
COAST GUARD MEMBERS CONDUCTING VESSEL BOARDINGS. IN ORDER TO USE THE
FOOTAGE, THE PRODUCTION WILL ASK COAST GUARD MEMBERS TO IMMEDIATELY
SIGN THE IMAGE RELEASE FORMS.  COAST GUARD MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO RELEASE THEIR IMAGES WHILE ON-DUTY AND WILL ONLY EXPOSE
THEMSELVES TO POTENTIAL LIABILITY BY ENGAGING. REFER THE PRODUCTION
TO MOPIC.
5.DISCUSSION: CERTAIN POLICIES LISTED IN REFERENCE A ARE OFTEN
BROACHED BY COAST GUARD COMMANDS SEEKING TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN
ENGAGED BY THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION
ELABORATES ON THE POLICIES AND PROVIDES SOME CONTEXT INTO THEIR
PURPOSE.
A.CRITERIA: FOR THE COAST GUARD TO SUPPORT ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS,
THEY SHALL HAVE WRITTEN, CONFIRMED U.S. DISTRIBUTION THAT THE PROJECT
WILL AIR ON A U.S. TELEVISION NETWORK OR BE RELEASED BY A MOTION
PICTURE STUDIO, THE PROJECT SHALL ACCURATELY PORTRAY THE MEMBERS,
MISSIONS AND ASSETS OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD, THE REQUESTED COAST
GUARD UNITS COMMANDING OFFICER OR OFFICER-IN-CHARGE SHALL ULTIMATELY
APPROVE RESOURCE SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT ONCE MOPIC PROPERLY VETS AND
APPROVES THE REQUEST, THE PRODUCTION COMPANY OR STUDIO SHALL SIGN A
PAA AND PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE.
B.TIMELINE: MOPIC REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO PROPERLY VET AN
ENTERTAINMENT REQUEST AND OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION
INCLUDING A SIGNED PAA AND CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE. SHORT-FUSE
REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE FILMING ARE NOT REALISTIC AND DECLINED
OUTRIGHT.
C.TEASERS/PILOTS: THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS A COMPETITIVE
MARKETPLACE WHERE PRODUCTION COMPANIES LOBBY, PITCH, AND MARKET NEW
IDEAS TO TELEVISION NETWORKS AND MOVIE STUDIOS. THE COAST GUARD DOES
NOT SUPPORT DEVELOPING THESE MARKETING TOOLS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS
TEASER/SIZZLE REELS.SOME PRODUCTIONS WILL ATTEMPT TO FILM AN ENTIRE
SHOW WITHOUT CONFIRMED NETWORK DISTRIBUTION. THESE ARE REFERRED TO AS
PILOTS OR PILOT EPISODES.THE U.S. COAST GUARD DOES NOT SUPPORT THESE.
D.RESEARCH VISITS / LOCATION SCOUTS: COMMANDS SHALL NOT HOST OR
APPROVE OF ANY FILMING, MEETINGS OR LOCATION SCOUT VISITS BY
ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY PRODUCERS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES UNTIL MOPIC
APPROVES THE PRODUCERS REQUEST OR THERE IS A SIGNED PAA.  PRODUCTION
COMPANIES, WRITERS, AND OTHER CREATIVE ENTITIES WILL OFTEN CONTACT
UNITS DIRECTLY TO OBTAIN HISTORICAL CASE INFORMATION, RESEARCH LIFE
AT A TYPE OF UNIT, OR SEEK OTHER INSIGHTS ABOUT THE COAST GUARD.
THESE VISITS AND INQUIRES CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING TO COMMANDS AND
INCREDIBLY TIME CONSUMING. PLEASE REFER THESE TO MOPIC AND DO NOT
ENGAGE.
E.FOREIGN TV / FILMS: MOPIC FOCUSES COAST GUARD SUPPORT ON PROJECTS
THAT WILL REACH AND EDUCATE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. PROJECTS WITHOUT
CONFIRMED DISTRIBUTION TO A U.S. AUDIENCE WILL BE DECLINED.
F.STUDENT FILMS: THE COAST GUARD DOES NOT SUPPORT STUDENT FILMS.
THESE FILMS LACK REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION, OFTEN CANNOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE
INSURANCE, AND FREQUENTLY BECOME RELIANT UPON THE COAST GUARD TO
SUPPORT DISTRIBUTION.
G.INDEPENDENT FILMS: THE COAST GUARD DOES NOT SUPPORT INDEPENDENT
FILMS. THESE FILMS ALSO LACK REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION, OFTEN CANNOT
PROVIDE ADEQUATE INSURANCE, AND FREQUENTLY BECOME RELIANT UPON THE
COAST GUARD TO SUPPORT DISTRIBUTION. THE SERVICE RECEIVES COUNTLESS
INDEPENDENT FILM REQUESTS AND MUST REMAIN FIRM TO THIS POLICY WITHOUT
EXCEPTION OR WAIVER.
H.ADVERTISING: THE USE OF COAST GUARD PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, AND
FACILITIES IN ADVERTISING PRODUCTIONS IS PROHIBITED BECAUSE OF THE
POTENTIAL FOR ACTUAL, IMPLIED, OR PERCEIVED COAST GUARD ENDORSEMENT
OF THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
I.EDUCATION AND TRAINING:  REQUESTS EMPLOYING COAST GUARD RESOURCES
TOWARDS THE CREATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND DVDS FOR USE IN
GRADE SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, CORPORATIONS AND NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS MUST BE ROUTED THROUGH MOPIC FOR CONSIDERATION. MOPIC
WILL WORK WITH CG-09223 AND THE REPRESENTING LEGAL STAFF TO DETERMINE
IF SUPPORT IS APPROPRIATE. MOPIC OR THE SERVICING LEGAL STAFF WILL
THEN NOTIFY COMMAND OF APPROVAL/ DISAPPROVAL. THIS GENRE OF PROJECT
IS OFTEN COMPLEX AND REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT TIME TO REVIEW, VET, AND
ULTIMATELY DETERMINE SUPPORT.
J.COAST GUARD PROPERTY: COAST GUARD PROPERTY WILL NOT BE USED FOR
FILMING UNLESS THERE IS COAST GUARD CENTRIC CONTENT. THE SERVICE
FREQUENTLY RECEIVES REQUESTS TO FILM AT COAST GUARD LIGHTHOUSES OR AT
A UNIT WITH WATERFRONT ACCESS INCLUDING CUTTER PIER SPACES. THESE
REQUESTS TO DO NOT FEATURE OR REPRESENT THE COAST GUARD AND ARE
IMMEDIATELY DECLINED.  THE USE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN TELEVISION
COMMERCIALS OR ADVERTISEMENTS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
K.NO COMPETITION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD WILL NOT COMPETE WITH
COMMERCIAL OR PRIVATE ENTERPRISES. THIS IS MOST RELEVANT WITH
REQUESTS TO PROVIDE A COAST GUARD ASSET TO SERVE AS A FILMING
PLATFORM FOR A PROJECT WITHOUT COAST GUARD CONTENT.  THESE REQUESTS
ARE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR A CHARTERED COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER OR BOAT.
MOPIC DECLINES THESE OUTRIGHT.
L.STOCK FOOTAGE: THE COAST GUARD DOES NOT LICENSE SERVICE VIDEO,
STILL IMAGES OR STOCK FOOTAGE, ALSO KNOWN AS B-ROLL.ALL OFFICIALLY
RELEASED COAST GUARD IMAGERY IS PUBLIC DOMAIN AND CAN BE ACCESSED AT
HTTP://CGVI.USCG.MIL/MEDIA/MAIN.PHP.  TO OBTAIN HIGHER QUALITY OR
HIGHER RESOLUTION FOOTAGE, PRODUCTIONS SHALL SUBMIT IMAGERY REQUESTS
TO MOPIC.
M.CELEBRITY CONTACTS: MOPIC DOES NOT FACILITATE INVITING CELEBRITIES
TO COAST GUARD FUNCTIONS, AND DOES NOT MAINTAIN A DATABASE OF
CELEBRITY CONTACT INFORMATION. PAST EXPERIENCE VALIDATES THAT COLD
CALLING A CELEBRITY WHO HAS NO EXISTING RELATIONSHIP TO THE COAST
GUARD, OR TO THE SPECIFIC UNIT, IS INEFFECTIVE. IT IS BEST TO
LEVERAGE EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL TALENT AND ESTABLISHED
PORT PARTNERS FOR FULFILLING DIGNITARY-LEVEL ATTENDANCE TO UNIT
EVENTS, CEREMONIES, AND FORMAL DINNERS.
N.REALITY SHOWS: REFERENCE A OUTLINES COAST GUARD MEMBERS
PARTICIPATION IN REALITY SHOWS. MEMBERS SHALL ROUTE A REQUEST THROUGH
THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND BEFORE APPLYING FOR PARTICIPATION IN ANY
REALITY SHOW. COAST GUARD MEMBERS MUST BE ON LEAVE OR IN A LIBERTY
STATUS FOR NON-MOPIC ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS. PERMISSIVE ORDERS ARE
PROHIBITED.
O.GAME SHOWS: REFERENCE A OUTLINES COAST GUARD MEMBERS PARTICIPATION
IN GAME SHOWS. MEMBERS SHALL ROUTE A REQUEST THROUGH THEIR CHAIN OF
COMMAND BEFORE APPLYING FOR PARTICIPATION IN ANY GAME SHOW. COAST
GUARD MEMBERS MUST BE ON LEAVE OR IN A LIBERTY STATUS FOR NON-MOPIC
ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS. PERMISSIVE ORDERS ARE PROHIBITED.
P.SCREENINGS: COAST GUARD MEMBERS MAY ATTEND A FILM SCREENING OR
PREMIERE WITHOUT MOPIC APPROVAL SO LONG AS THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC WITHOUT RESTRICTION AND THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE. MEMBERS
SHOULD EXERCISE DISCRETION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO WEAR THEIR UNIFORMS
TO THESE EVENTS. MOPIC CAN PROVIDE A CASE-BY-CASE REVIEW IF
REQUESTED.
Q.OPSEC: MOPIC ENSURES THERE ARE ADDITIONAL GROUND RULES COVERING
FILMING COAST GUARD LAW ENFORCEMENT MISSIONS, FILMING IN COAST GUARD
COMMAND CENTERS AS WELL AS FILMING OTHER OPSEC SENSITIVE ITEMS.
FURTHER, A WRITTEN CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SERVICE AND THE PRODUCTION
COMPANIES ENSURES MOPIC WILL REVIEW THE CONTENT BEFORE IT IS AIRED OR
RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC
R.AIRDATES / RELEASE DATES: MOPIC EMPLOYS SEVERAL VENUES TO UPDATE
COAST GUARD MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON WHEN THE NEXT ENTERTAINMENT
PROJECT WITH COAST GUARD CONTENT WILL AIR ON TELEVISION OR BE
RELEASED IN THEATERS. DISTRICT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS ARE PROVIDED
WEEKLY UPDATES TO SHARE WITHIN THEIR AOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE COAST
GUARD SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM OFTEN BROADCASTS FUTURE AIRDATES AND RELEASE
DATES VIA THE OFFICIAL COAST GUARD FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
ALLOWING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES TO SELF PROMOTE. PROJECTS
THAT CLEARLY HIGHLIGHT MISSION CAPABILITIES AND/OR EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
ON THE U.S. COAST GUARD ARE OFTEN HIGHLIGHTED ON THE OFFICIAL COAST
GUARD BLOG, COMPASS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT
HTTP://COASTGUARD.DODLIVE.MIL/ AND POPULATES THE SERVICES OFFICIAL
WEB PAGE AT HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL. MOPIC ALSO PROVIDES AIR DATES AND
RELEASE DATES DIRECTLY TO ALL UNITS THAT SUPPORTED THE PROJECT IN
QUESTION.
6.CONCLUSION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD RECEIVES HUNDREDS OF ENTERTAINMENT
SUPPORT PROPOSALS EACH YEAR, BUT ONLY A LIMITED FEW MEET THE SERVICES
STRICT CRITERIA. THIS HIGH STANDARD ENSURES THAT VALUABLE COAST GUARD
RESOURCES ARE ONLY ENGAGED FOR LEGITIMATE ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS THAT
ULTIMATELY TELL THE COAST GUARD STORY DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN
PUBLIC. THE U.S. COAST GUARD CONTINUES TO ENJOY REMARKABLE SUCCESS IN
SAFELY, EFFECTIVELY, AND APPROPRIATELY SUPPORTING ENTERTAINMENT
PROJECTS. THIS SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE WITH THE CONTINUED COORDINATION
BY MOPIC STAFF, DISTRICT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS, AND UNITS PUBLIC
AFFAIRS OFFICERS. THANK YOU FOR FULFILLING YOUR ROLE.
7.POC: THE POINTS OF CONTACT AT OUR MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION
LIAISON OFFICE ARE CDR KEVIN JONES, EMAIL: KEVIN.A.JONES(AT)USCG.MIL,
CWO2 CHAD SAYLOR, EMAIL:
CHAD.M.SAYLOR(AT)USCG.MIL, AND CWO2 DANA WARR, EMAIL:
DANA.L.WARR(AT)USCG.MIL.
8.RDML K. L. SCHULTZ, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
SENDS.
9.INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.