Multimedia personnel deomonstrate multi-talents
By Airman 1st Class Dillon White, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
/ Published June 15, 2007
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The staff of the 341st Communications Squadron's Base Multimedia Center located at 7410 Flightline Drive, building 300, offers a wide variety of visual and communication support services to Team Malmstrom.
The staff members of the visual information and graphics shops are multi-talented. Their skills range from taking official photographs and designing posters, brochures and visual aids, to providing video documentation of ceremonies and official events, organizing video-teleconferencing for meetings and creating or improving PowerPoint presentations. They also supply public address system support.
"The Base Multimedia Center staff members truly are professionals. Their pride and dedication is reflected by the high quality products they provide and their long record of outstanding customer service," said Jessica Buxbaum, the base multimedia manager and quality assurance evaluator.
The BMC photography shop staff shoots photos for many different events, but only official Air Force documentation photos are free of charge. Servicemembers are required to pay for photographs of retirements, awards and promotion ceremonies, said John Turner, a photographer at the BMC. Twenty-four hour notice is required for a photographer to go to the location of an event.
Servicemembers are responsible for maintaining standards of dress and appearance for their photos, he added. The photography staff will not manipulate photographs to correct uniforms or alter personal appearance.
Photographs of distinguished visitors, squadron commanders and first sergeants, dog-handler photos and military passport photos required for official PCS, TDY or mobility requirements are taken free of charge, Mr. Turner said.
Other support to cover the Air Force missionmission will also be provided, he said.
The BMC graphics shop staff has produced posters for the Annual Awards Banquet, the Air Force Ball and other monthly events, such as Women's History Month, said Brook Gerard, illustrator and video-teleconferencing manager.
"If a servicemember has an idea for a visual aid, brochure, PowerPoint presentation or other printable medium, they should call and ask if we can help," Ms. Gerard said."If you can imagine it, we can help you achieve it, or at least point you in the right direction to get it accomplished."
They also provide a self-help graphics program that allows servicemembers the freedom to design their own graphics, Ms. Gerard added. "We can offer guidance, give hints and help with the final touches for free, however, if excessive help is required, we have to charge for labor," she said.
The graphics shop can make up to 30 full-color copies of official certificates and awards. Bigger jobs need to be taken to a print shop in the local community.
Hand-drawn artwork can be done under special circumstances, said Bob Stillwell, illustrator at the BMC. Ninety-nine percent of the work done in the graphics shop is computer generated, although training aids are primarily done by hand, he said.
The BMC graphics shop does more than graphics. Video-teleconferencing is also available and allows servicemembers to attend meetings, briefings and classes without going on TDY. Ms. Gerard arranged the first video-teleconference for Quit Smart Tobacco Cessation Facilitator Training which saved more than $21,000 and trained an additional 32 personnel stationed at seven different bases, Ms. Gerard said.
"It saves a lot of money," she said.
Current video-teleconferencing fees are about $10.60 per hour, for up to 12 individuals at a time.
Video-teleconferences must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance.
The BMC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices are closed on holidays, but are open on family days.
Graphics personnel can be reached at 731-2410 and the photography support staff can be reached at 731-2504.