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Learn From These Lessons

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Close Up Lens Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Leave Them Laughing! Humor Makes the Spot Memorable

Case Study
8 min
Learn how MCC Mike DiMestico used comedic techniques to create a memorable spot on Operational Security.
Rear Adm. Edward Cashman Conducts a Radio Interview

Let Your Subjects Do the Talking

Case Study
10 min
Study this technique of letting your subjects get the message out in an informal yet informative tone.
The camera of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Deven Schultz, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs broadcast journalist records an interview with Tech. Sgt. Latosha Enoch, 17th Training Support Squadron military training flight chief, in the Military Training building, on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 4, 2020. Schultz collected historical documentation of how the different units around base responded to COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Abbey Rieves)

Choose Your Interview Location Wisely

Case Study
14 min
Watch the 1st Combat Camera Squadron demonstrate the value of carefully choosing an interview location.
OS2 Jason Kostem Conducts Photography Collection aboard USS Dewey

Keep Viewers Engaged with Creative Composition

Case Study
5 min
Watch and take notes from this training reel that delivers a lot of sizzle in a short clip from Operations...
Lt. Cmdr. N. Cody Schaal is a Navy Industrial Hygiene Officer, Deputy Director of the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory, and the Occupational Environmental Health Department Head, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-Dayton). Schaal is in one of NAMRU-Dayton’s operational exposure labs where scientists can simultaneously test chemical exposures with environmental stressors to assess potential health effects.

Achieving Good Lighting Outside the Studio

Case Study
5 min
Watch an example of good lighting achieved during an interview shot outside the studio by Defense Department...
Understanding the why hero

Understand the Why: Aligning the Message to Your...

Case Study
2 min
Learn from the Army the value of applying a communication strategy to your visual product.
A drill instructor with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, introduces himself to new recruits on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 5, 2020.

Repurposing Gems from the Archives

Case Study
2 min
Watch a positive example of how some creative thinking and musical overlay helped this USMC tweet go viral.
A U.S. Marine puts on ear protection before shooting on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29.

Promote with Meaning

Case Study
2 min
A positive example of a Marine Corps video that compels the target audience to participate in the campaign in...

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Check It Off

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Close up of two hands typing on a laptop keyboard.

508 Compliance Audit: PDF Document

Checklist
3 min
Ensure your PDF is 508 compliant.
A U.S. Air Force Reserve KC-135 Stratotanker from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., performs an aerial demonstration over Bowman Field in Louisville, Ky., April 17, 2021, as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. The annual event featured more than 20 military and civilian air craft this year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Aircraft Incident Response

Checklist
2 min
Be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to an aircraft accident or incident that occurs on or off base.
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Hostage Situation Checklist

Checklist
2 min
Follow this guide when you're navigating a hostage situation to ensure you don't miss important tasks.
A sailor takes photos out the back of an open aircraft, with another aircraft flying nearby.

Aerial Photography Checklist

Checklist
2 min
Be prepared to capture the moment and remain in communication with the crew on aerial missions.
MRF-D conduct low-light, live-fire range

Low Light Operations Checklist

Checklist
2 min
Prepare for low light and night-time situations to effectively document your mission.
Reserve Soldiers train at Fort McCoy for Operation Cactus Gunnery

Convoy Operations Checklist

Checklist
2 min
Be prepared to handle a variety of situations to stay safe and get the imagery you need.
required_shots_crime_scene_hero

Sensitive Site Exploitation Guide

Checklist
5 min
Use this checklist to help document SSE investigations, such as mishaps, crime scenes and mass graves.
U.S. Marines with CLR-37 Conduct a MCCRE

COMCAM Train-Up Preparation Guide

Checklist
2 min
Follow this checklist to ensure you're ready and have completed all necessary tasks before deployment.
soldier copies information into notebook during training exercise

COMCAM Pre-Deployment Guide

Checklist
2 min
Ensure you're deployment-ready by following this checklist of tasks to complete.

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Download Templates

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22 ARW

During a Crisis: Events Log

Template
1 min
Use this template to stay organized and keep a record of PA/VI involvement during a crisis event.
A semi-transparent PAVILION logo against a blue-green gradient background, with small abstract shapes.

Visual Branding Guide

Template
7 min
Use this template to ensure that all design branding criteria are properly documented and implemented.
Passport photos are cut into the required measurements by a 502nd Air Base Wing photographer prior to customer delivery at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Active-duty members and civilians who require passport photos must have an authorized agent at their location’s passport office sign a work order form before scheduling a passport photo appointment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joshua Rodriguez)

Passport Photo Template

Template
1 min
Use this Photoshop template to lay out a perfect passport photo.
Media Interview

Media Ground Rules Agreement

Template
3 min
Use this template to cover media rules and expectations during ongoing operations.
Senior Airman Juanita Black, Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental assistant, works on a computer, May 27, 2020, at the 49th Medical Group public health call center on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Black’s duties included assisting callers with their questions, ranging from Holloman’s current traveling policy to general COVID-19 related questions, ensuring everyone stayed safe and informed during COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks) (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks)

Visual Information Plan

Template
1 min
Use this template to craft a comprehensive VI Plan that supports the commander's intent and the mission.
American Forces Network Shines Spotlight on Wolf Pack

OPLAN Appendix 10 to Annex C

Template
1 min
Use this template to give COMCAM specifics, including situation, mission, execution, admin and logistics, etc.
Sailors Man the Rails

Combat Camera Team Request For Forces

Template
1 min
Use this RFF template to request specific capabilities, equipment and support needed for a COMCAM mission.
Combat Camera looks to recruit

Combat Camera After Action Report

Template
1 min
Use this template to write action-oriented reports to help improve future COMCAM missions.
Army Spc. Joseph Sakyi, a medical maintainer and native of Bronx, New York, assigned to Company A, 47th Combat Support Hospital, checks medical equipment for functionality at the CenturyLink Field Event Center in downtown Seattle, Wa., March 30.

Equipment Lifecycle Tracker

Template
1 min
Use this spreadsheet to help track when pieces of equipment are expected to be updated or replaced.

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Learn How

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Image of an A/B testing example. On the left is the control content and the right, the variant content. The variants metrics are clearly outperforming the controls metrics.

Optimize Your Content With A/B Testing

How To
6 min
Follow these steps to user-test your social media content and better reach your public.
Future operations officer participates in a COVID-19 virtual subject matter expert exchange

How to Read an OPORD

How To
5 min
Walkthrough a sample Operations Order (OPORD) and understand the key takeaways of the situation or mission.
an image of a yellow helicopter

How to Package a Video Project into a Movable Fo...

How To
2 min
Follow these steps to package your video projects using the Project Manager feature of Adobe Premiere Pro.
a blurry photo of a computer screen showing an image of a soldier

How to Add Metadata to a Video Using Adobe Premi...

How To
8 min
Follow these steps to include DoD required metadata within an exported video product.
Heading from sample AAR memo. Date: 13 March 2020. Memorandum for. To: Director, Communication Strategy and Operations. From: Chief Warrant Officer John Smith, Visual Information Officer, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA, USA. Subject: After Action Report for MEFEX 18.

How to Create an After Action Report

How To
5 min
Use this guide to write a report that gives insight into improving processes and tactics for future...
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Granado, a member a the Alaska Naval Militia, edits video footage she took as public affairs coverage of COVID-19 response efforts from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and the Alaska Naval Militia at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky/Released)

How to Create a Title and Black Video Slate in A...

How To
5 min
Use this step-by-step guide to create a title and black video slate using Adobe Premiere Pro.
USARPAC BWC 2020: Hawaii, 25th ID Soldier participates in simulated media interview [Image 3 of 4]

How to Compose & Format a Script

How To
6 min
Follow these steps to compose and format a single-column video script using a template.
Screen capture of Adobe Bridge with blurred out images

How to Import Photos in Adobe Bridge

How To
4 min
Follow the steps to upload photos from your camera and easily rename files to include your VIRIN.
Video shows how to layer and mix audio in Adobe Premiere Pro while the narrator explains each step. Video created by DINFOS PAVILION team.

How To Effectively Layer and Mix Audio

How To
6 min
Follow this step-by-step guide to help create seamless audio throughout your project sequence using Adobe...

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Review Policy & Doctrine

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Maj. Gen. Denise M. Donnell, New York Air National Guard Commander and Assistant Adjutant General, and Master Sgt. Elliot Butler, 313th Recruiting Squadron C Flight Flight Chief, talk to Air Force delayed entry program members before a ribbon cutting ceremony at the C Flight office in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 24, 2023.

DoDD 5535.09

Policy & Doctrine
5 min
Reference DoD Directive 5535.09 DoD Branding and Trademark Licensing Program (19 December 2007).
Dr. William Burnett, Technical Director of Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), and Mr. James Griffith, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Director, Source Operations and Management Directorate—along with other NGA personnel—received a detailed overview of CNMOC with a full brief and engagements with subject matter experts. CNMOC directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.

DoD Directive 5105.60

Policy & Doctrine
25 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5105.60 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (July 29, 2009).
14&15 July l MC Symposium

DoD Directive 5160.48

Policy & Doctrine
8 min
Reference DoDD 5160.48 Public Affairs & Visual Information (PA & VI) Education & Training (Nov. 20, 2017).
La. National Guard monitors Medical Supply Data [Image 11 of 13]

DoD Data Strategy

Policy & Doctrine
21 min
Reference Executive Summary: DoD Data Strategy (30 September 2020).
Sailors assigned to Defense Media Activity operate cameras during Vice Adm. John Nowell, Chief of Naval Personnel, and Fleet Master Chief Wes Koshoffer's town hall event

DoD Directive 5105.74

Policy & Doctrine
14 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5105.74 Defense Media Activity (DMA) (Change 1) (August 29, 2017).
Photo of knowledge management center Airman

DoD Directive 5400.07

Policy & Doctrine
6 min
Reference the DoD Directive 5400.07 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program (April 5, 2019).
Senior Airman Oriana Beard, American Forces Network Kunsan broadcast journalist, prepares to go live on the radio at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 6, 2020. AFN broadcast journalists are expected to host four hours of live radio and produce content for social media and television daily.

DoDI 5120.20

Policy & Doctrine
15 min
Reference DoD Instruction 5120.20 American Forces Network Program (January 18, 2023).
Newest DINFOS Graduate

DoD Military Communicator Competency Model

Policy & Doctrine
1 min
Reference the DoD MCCM (21 January 2021) for a comprehensive list of training and education requirements.
II MEF Innovation Campus and the Marine Innovation Unit host an additive manufacturing course

DoDI 5040.07

Policy & Doctrine
37 min
VI creators reference DoDI 5040.07 Visual Information Productions (April 22, 2020) for process policy.

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