Photo By Sgt. Juan A. Soto-Delgado | Maj. Matthew H. Hilton, communication strategy and operations officer for the...... read more read more
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Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is host to the Entertainment Media Liaisons Office (EMLO), which has an exciting role in the Marine Corps: to assist production companies in all aspects of the institution when showing, telling, and displaying Marines’ stories.
Also known as the Communication Directorate’s Los Angeles Liaison Office, the primary responsibility of the EMLO is to assist directors, producers, and writers in the entertainment industry by providing Department of Defense support for major motion pictures, television shows, video games, and documentaries. The office aids in informing and educating the public on the roles and missions, history, operations, and training of the United States Marine Corps.
“We oversee scripted and unscripted content for movies and documentaries and look at the request to see if it’s feasible,” said Maj. Matthew H. Hilton, communication strategy and operations officer for EMLO. “We not only take care of Camp Pendleton, but the entire Marine Corps worldwide.”
Over the past 77 years, the office has assisted with multiple prominent productions from Allan Dan’s “Sands of Iwo Jima,” which starred John Wayne, to Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.” In more recent years, the office has aided in the production of Roland Emmerich’s “Midway,” and Top Gun 2 which is scheduled to be released in December of 2020.
There is specific criteria that a production company must meet to receive assistance from EMLO. Although the criteria is specific, the process is straightforward.
“There are two main things production crews need for us to support them. One is funding, and second is distribution,” said Hilton. “The big thing is timelines. The earlier we can establish contact, the better. This way, we can work with each other’s expectations, and all parties involved can come out of this with a happy experience. Honesty is also a big part when planning because if timelines aren’t met, it can create an emergency.”
Camp Pendleton's proximity to Los Angeles makes it a unique place for production crews to film.
“This place is special because of how close we are to LA, and also because of the diversity of the environment. You have hills, desert, some areas have jungles making it perfect for whatever the film needs,” said Hilton.
The office also plays a significant part when production crews are filming. The office will often assist with location, planning of the production, and providing accurate information to help the team in achieving the most authenticity for their production.
“We provide the production crews with guidance to give them accurate information so they can accurately portray the Marines,” said Hilton. “We edit scripts and provide extras, I put out casting calls and have actual Marines in the production, and it’s a lot easier than the production crew hiring actors that don’t have the experience of being a Marine. This makes the production more authentic.”
Hilton has also worked and has met some of the crews from prominent TV shows and movies and collects posters and memorabilia to add to his collection in his office.
“In my time here, I’ve worked with the cast of CBS SEAL, Midway, Top Gun 2, and The Last Ship, and overall it’s a great experience because of the creativity in the job,” said Hilton. “I always try to get Marines in front of the camera.”
In many ways, the Marine Corps provides production companies with more than just information and location. The EMLO office can also provide Marines to act as extras. In the acting world, there have been a significant number of Marines that have made their way to Hollywood and had successful careers. In recent years, Marine Veteran Adam Driver, known most prominently for his role as Kylo Ren in the most recent Star Wars trilogy, has experienced a significant amount of success in the industry. Other noteworthy celebrities include Rob Riggle, Gene Hackman and Drew Carey.
“Sometimes we get to meet some of the celebrities. In the past, we’ve had Clint Eastwood and Mark Wahlberg,” said Hilton.
EMLO provides a sense of authenticity to a production. The influence of a Marine telling his or her story adds a unique and necessary perspective to a nuanced topic. This influence can be felt whether a story is fiction or nonfiction. The medium of film provides a bridge between the military and the communities that it serves. By providing an understanding of what the United States military does, audiences can gain an understanding and empathy for the mission and those who carry it out.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2020 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 371045 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 521 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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