UWF professor returns from L.A.

Lt. Col. Paul Sinor has a career that most only dream about. The sometime-professor at the University of West Florida was recalled to active duty in 2004.

He spent a year as the chief of the Killed in Action Branch for the Army in Washington, D.C., before transferring to the Public Affairs Office in Los Angeles, Calif. There, Sinor was chosen as the Army liaison to the television and film industry.

His film and television credits include “Transformers,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “G.I. Joe,” “I Am Legend,” “Army Wives” and, most recently, “The Messenger.”

Sinor recently attended the premiere of the film starring Woody Harrelson in Sedona, Ariz., on Nov. 10. The film focuses on an American soldier and his internal struggle when he becomes involved with the widow of a fallen officer.

Sinor said that being a military advisor on a film or television show begins with the script to make sure the dialogue, action scenes, and traditions are accurate. Then, his presence is required on set to help the director and actors to provide assistance in filming.

“It is a great joy to see a film I worked on receive good reviews in the military community as well as the general public,” Sinor said.

The relationship between the military and the television and film industry is a “two-way street,” Sinor said.

In exchange for the military being accurately represented, the production companies are allowed to use military equipment, facilities and personnel they would otherwise not have access to.

However, these are not the only projects Sinor is involved with. He has written novels, produced five scripts and two more are currently under contract.

Prior to 2004, Colonel Sinor taught several semesters of a basic screenwriting course at UWF. This past summer he returned to the classroom. He feels teaching is his way of giving back.

“By teaching I can share some of the good, the bad and the ugly that I have experienced and hopefully pass on to the participants in the class how to avoid the same pitfalls.”