Fallen Marine Video Receives National Recognition

Local videographer receives first-place awards in two industry competitions; judge calls the video “masterful”

New Berlin, WI -- After being shown in its entirety on major Milwaukee news stations, the 5 minute tribute video of Cpl. Robert "Bobby" Warns II, 23, of Waukesha, killed in Iraq in November, takes unprecedented first place in two industry competitions.

Creative Images of New Berlin, Wisconsin, received the WEVA “Creative Excellence Gold Award” in August and soon after, received the 4EVER Group International Artistic Achievement “Diamond” Award, and "Best In Show", its highest honor.

The funeral was shot as a memorial for Warns’ unborn child and overseas relatives.

“Within days of putting some highlights online for family and friends, the video’s popularity exploded,” says Darrell Boeck of Creative Images. “Reaction poured in from all over the world.” The video has been downloaded over 600,000 times since last fall.

According to one judge, who asked to remain anonymous: “After the scores were handed in and we were allowed to comment, we all had the same reaction. We considered it a masterful job of shooting, editing, audio, and production impact. We as professional videographers strive to have the emotional impact this video had.”

“Our profession is not the taking of pictures and having them sit in an album or on a shelf. Our job is to capture the memories, emotions, and essence of who or what the person or events are. This video will forever be there to document this particular event and will be treasured by the family.”

Warns, a 1999 graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, was killed Nov. 8 along with two other Marines less than two months after their reserve unit arrived in Iraq.

The Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) is the largest nonprofit trade association representing professional wedding and event videographers. WEVA International members specialize in the art of documenting and preserving important social and corporate events and presentations.

The 4EVER Group is dedicated to providing resource, educational materials and services to all facets of the event video industry. By offering quality products and services, by hosting educational events and by bringing the industry together as one support network, The 4EVER Group will help advance and promote the entire event video industry.

Contact Darrell Boeck or Mark Lamkin at 262-784-1988

View the video at www.bobbywarns.com

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