Bradley Cooper, nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Chris Kyle in “American Sniper,” is among the the speakers expected at The National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. on Friday for Got Your 6’s panel to help expand public understanding of veterans through popular culture.
The organization Got Your 6, a group devoted to accurate portrayals of veterans in entertainment, are announcing the launch of “6 Certified,” in which content creators are encouraged to avoid “negative, stereotypical or extreme depictions of veterans as either ‘charity cases’ or ‘heroes.'” Studios and producers can earn a “6 Certified” badge to display during film or TV series credits.
“As Hollywood continues to tell powerful stories about veterans and the military, we want to acknowledge those who work hard to get it right,” Chris Marvin, executive director of Got Your 6, said in a statement.
Along with Cooper and Marvin, others expected at the event include First Lady Michelle Obama, Greg Silverman, president of creative development and worldwide production at Warner Bros.; Charlie Ebersol, president and CEO of The Company; Courteney Monroe, CEO of National Geographic Channels; producer Bruce Cohen; Lori McCreary, co-president of the Producers Guild of America; Sarah Schechter, president of Berlanti Prods, and Air Force Major Gen. Sharon Dunbar.
“As content creators, we have an incredible opportunity to shape perceptions surrounding veterans and military families, who are important assets to our communities,” said Silverman.
The “6 Certified” designation, which was created by Ebersol, calls for a production to have a “representative and balanced” depiction of veterans, as well as making a pledge to take at least one of six tasks. They include consulting with real veterans or family members in creating projects; casting a veteran in a substantial role; hiring a veteran as a writer; developing a multi-dimensional veteran character; telling a story about a veteran; and having a veteran consult during the production process.
A review committee will meet on a quarterly basis to award certifications. The committee will be launched with members Dunbar, Ebersol, Marvin, Silverman and Rajiv Chandrasekaran.
Cooper is a longtime supporter of Got Your 6 and it’s expected that “American Sniper” will be one of the first movies to get certified.
The Got Your 6 campaign was launched in 2012 after the First Lady called on the entertainment industry to boost the depiction of veterans, as part of her Joining Forces initiative. Got Your 6 comes from the military term that means “I’ve got your back.”
Correction: A previous version of this article attributed the “6 Certified” event to Michelle Obama, not Got Your 6.
What Eastwood should have said instead of staying completely silent as the FOX speak intolerant so called christians, mostly ‘chickenhawks’ comfortable sitting at their puters and Not In Combat Theaters though many saying their ready to go, NOT, who have yet to pay for these wars and, DeJa-Vu, the long term results from them, the grossly underfunded VA, including the growth in the blowback from the policies, started ramping up their continued hate of others:
>Michelle Obama:”While I know there have been critics, I felt that, more often than not, this film touches on many of the emotions and experiences that I’ve heard firsthand from military families over these past few years,” she said. “This movie reflects those wrenching stories that I’ve heard — the complex journeys that our men and women in uniform endure. The complicated moral decisions they are tasked with every day. The stresses of balancing love of family with a love of country. And the challenges of transitioning back home to their next mission in life.” “She wrote that she’s proud of her service but added this: “That doesn’t change the fact that I contributed – however indirectly – to human beings vanishing from the earth in a moment of sheer agony.”
I’m a veteran and played one of the background, U.S. Admirals in three scenes of Clint Eastwood’s FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. From what I learned, much of Clint’s regular, continuing work force are U.S. veterans.
Peter, thank you for your service.