Today’s audience is more accustomed to the moving imagery that video has to offer. By incorporating video production into the planning and roll-out of your messaging, there’s less opportunity for miscommunication.

- Kristi Clemens, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Public Affairs

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

Television Operations staff operates the studio control panel that monitors live programs.

Familiar projects

Most CBP employees are familiar with the work done by Television Operations. They produce the award winning America’s Frontline, a 30-minute, CBP news program. The main purpose of America's Frontline is to inform employees of programs and initiatives taking place throughout U.S. Customs and Border Protection. America’s Frontline is distributed to all CBP employees on CD-ROM to be viewed on their computers. America’s Frontline is also used as a recruitment tool.

Each year, the Commissioners' Annual Awards Ceremony, which highlights the accomplishments of CBP employees, is produced by Television Operations and broadcast live to CBP facilities at more than 350 sites around the country.

Other CBP Television Operations productions include: stock footage—“B-roll”— supplied to external news agencies and broadcast networks such as the History Channel and the Discovery Channel, the Commissioner’s town hall meetings that take place around the country, public service announcements, and information videos.

Capabilities

Television Operations maintains a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art network quality broadcast and post production facility, including:

• Large studio area with a variety of set components, lighting, teleprompter system, and four cameras;
• Connection for live satellite broadcast;
• "Voice over" sound booth;
• Off-air news recording systems for field use and event coverage;
• Makeup area and "Green Room;"·
• Video duplication equipment; and
• Two AVID digital editing systems.

Television Operations also maintains a master tape library that contains historical and archived original footage of CBP past and present activities as well as complete productions and off-air news recordings.

Production costs

Staff salaries and equipment for projects are provided by Television Operations, however the requesting office is required to provide funding when travel or contract support is required. Project costs run from a few thousand dollars and up. Each project is analyzed to determine what is required and to develop a cost estimate.

Photographic Services

CBP Television Operations also has two photographers who provide both film and digital support to document CBP activities and events. The images are used in both internal and external CBP brochures and publications such as Customs and Border Protection Today. Photographs are also displayed on the CBP Web site for use by national and international news media and publications.

To see CBP employees in action, visit the CBP Image Library at cbp.gov. In the library, double click on the photo you want to see in the high-resolution version.

From concept to finished product

To discuss a possible project with Television Operations, contact one of the producers who will arrange for a pre-production meeting. He or she will sit down with you to discuss your ideas, determine if video is the proper medium to accomplish your goal, and assign your project to a project manager.

The project manager will meet with you and your subject matter experts to arrange for a script. The script may be produced in-house or contracted to an outside vendor.

After the script has been written and approved, a production schedule will be established and the decision of where to tape—on location or in the studio—will be made. Television Operations has all the equipment needed to film a major project out in the field or at Headquarters.

After filming is complete the editing process begins. This is where graphics, special effects, and voiceovers are added. The finished product can be delivered in a variety of formats, i.e., DVD, CD-ROM, or VHS.

Don’t wait!

A production, from start to finish, can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months to complete. Contact CBP Television Operations as soon as you have an idea for a project. The staff will work with you and will do everything they can to accommodate your deadline. Remember: it is never too early to start.

To request photos or a photographer If you cannot find a photo in the Image Library on the CBP web site at www.cbp.gov, contact the CBP photographers for assistance. Gerald Nino at gerald.nino@dhs.gov or 202.344.3751 James Tourtellotte at james.tourtellotte@dhs.gov or 202.344.2831 To request television assistance If you have an idea for a project that you would like to discuss with the producers, contact: Barry Carmick at barry.carmick@dhs.gov or 202.344.2196 Tim Ryan at timothy.ryan@dhs.gov or 202.344.3681 Mark Vyrros at mark.vyrros@dhs.gov or 202.344.2197