Multimedia provides support for base, wing members Published Feb. 1, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Their job encompasses many tasks: documenting history, providing artistic products and creating short-films to name a few. They make events timeless through camera flashes, moments captured on film, and their creative touch to an event's advertisement. Their office does a lot, bringing a literal sense to their name: multimedia. "Multimedia is ... taking several different artistic concepts and being able to blend them together," said Mark Crabtree, multimedia project team lead. "It's a unique career field with several different aspects combined into one." Multimedia's function is to provide support for official base events and when requested by the wing commander. Their support is through graphic design, photography, video and presentations. Mr. Crabtree said the most critical aspect of multimedia is photography. Multimedia photographers support events such as promotion and award ceremonies, retirements and changes of command. "I enjoy doing retirements," said Bernie Ernst, multimedia photographer. "It's an honor to do retirements for all the people who have served." Customers may also have official portraits and passport photos taken in multimedia's portrait studio. Official photos are not available for everyone. There has to be an official reason for someone to get them: -High-rank promotions -Portraits for awards -Needed for chain of command displays -Passports for official moves to overseas bases "We can't personalize things," Mr. Crabtree said. "We are here for official business." The multimedia portrait studio operates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. On occasion, multimedia supports events with video coverage; for example, retirement ceremonies for high-ranking officials. The multimedia graphic designers create many advertisement posters and other visual products for on-base events. The Warren ICBM Museum has used Multimedia's services for many historic displays including a detailed timeline that shows Warren's history from 1867 to present day. All requests for multimedia support must be documented on an Air Force Form 833 and submitted within a reasonable time. They usually ask for one to two weeks in order to meet all deadlines. "We always ask [people] to call and set up an appointment because we're not always here," Mrs. Ernst said. Requesters are encouraged to fill out AF Form 833s in detail in order for best quality support. Mrs. Ernst said some requesters have left out important information on the request forms including what, where and when the event is. "We always bend over backwards to provide a product to our customers within their timeframe," Mr. Crabtree said. For more information call 773-3364.