Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with an intersting bit sent to us by our spy Wolftever regarding the Navy's stance on the Buena Vista flick ANNAPOLIS, starring James Franco, Tyrese Gibson and the adorable Jordana Brewster. The film is about Naval training, with a focus on boxing, apparently.
Below is the Navy's official stance on the film. I wouldn't go so far as to say this should impact your thoughts on the quality of the film... it just means the filmmakers didn't make an exact documentary on how Naval training really works. It's still really interesting to get an inside look at this stuff, I think. What do you folks think?
Info below provided by CNAF PAO for guidance on the movie Annapolis: On January 27, 2006, Buena Vista Pictures (a division of the Disney Studios) will release "ANNAPOLIS," a feature film that purports to be about life at the Naval Academy. This picture was made without the support of the Department of the Navy (DoN) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Various Navy offices have been approached by Disney and their publicity affiliates to participate in screenings and promotional activities.
Our policy is that we do not participate in promotional events for motion pictures which we declined to provide filming support.
CHINFO was initially approached through NAVINFO WEST for assistance with this production. In preparation of the script, the producers were given several research opportunities at the Naval Academy and were allowed to film the "I Day" induction of the Plebe Class. When the script was presented for support, it was reviewed by NAVINFO WEST and the Naval Academy. Extensive notes were provided to the producers - who provided additional drafts of the script to the Navy. Unfortunately, the story depicted in the script did not accurately portray the Academy, its standards for training, and its methods of shaping midshipmen mentally, morally and physically for service in the U.S. Navy. Based on this, the producers were not allowed access to the Academy grounds or provided with any other support for the filming.
Navy personnel should avoid the appearance of support to the film as members of the Department of the Navy. Anyone attending a screening or promotional activity for the film should not attend in uniform. Recruiters who are asked to set up booths in theater lobbies where the movie is playing should contact the Recruiting Command PAO.
Queries about the film should be referred to CHINFO (703) 000-0000 or NAVINFO WEST (310) 000-0000 .
Brief guidance in response to query is provided below:
Q1 - Did the Navy support the making of the film "ANNAPOLIS?"
A1 - No. Some research opportunities were provided for the
producers, but no actual support for the filming was provided.
Q2 - Why didn't the Navy support the film?
A2 -- The script did not accurately portray the Naval Academy and
its training procedures.
Q3 - In what way is it inaccurate?
A3 -- It is our general policy not to discuss specifics of any
project that is turned down for support.
Q4 - There was filming of "I-Day" at the Academy. Wasn't this
support for the production?
A4 -- The Academy allowed the Producers to film "I-Day" because the
opportunity to shoot that footage would only happen once a year. Permission
was given on the grounds that the footage could only be used if the
production received DoN and DoD support. Since the production did not
receive support, that footage could not be used in the picture.
Q5 -- Disney filmed the movie in Philadelphia. Why?
A5 -- Please contact Buena Vista Pictures for any information on
this.
Q6 -- Why aren't Navy people allowed to participate in promotional
activities for the movie?
A6 -- It is our general policy not to provide promotional support
for motion pictures were not supported by the DoN or DoD.
Cdr Jack Hanzlik
COMMANDER, NAVAL AIR FORCES PAO
