I have received the following letter. The names have been
changed, but "John Smith" and "Joe Bloggs" are good friends
of mine and well-known UFO/conspiracy/paranormal researchers.
Hello Ben.
My name is Kevin, and I'm a documentary researcher from Surrey . I was given your email address by John Smith.
My team and I are currently working on a project about UFOlogy. We're
particularly interested in what it means to "believe" and have faith,
while operating in a rational scientific field. Attached to the project we have
John Smith and Joe Bloggs, who have been incredibly helpful during the
researching phase. We feel like we have a handle on our angle and subtext now,
and that's thanks to them.
We are currently looking for events such as meet ups,
research expeditions and sky-watches to attend at the end of August. I'd love
to hear about anything you could think of that could be an interesting event to
use to tell the story of modern UFOlogy. We're also looking out for people who
have had eyewitness accounts of what they believe to be alien encounters. If
you or anyone you know has had one of these, we would love to come and have a
chat with them about that.
All the best,
Kevin MacDonald
I responded:
Hi Kevin.
Thanks for getting in touch. I'll be glad to help in any way
I can with your project, providing that your intention is to portray the
subject of UFOlogy respectfully, rationally and seriously. Forgive my
reticence, but the way the media has covered this matter in the past has fallen far short in that regard, to put it mildly. There are some good events
coming up in late August, in particular the Roaming Skies conference which John
helps organize. I expect he's already told you about that. I'll find a few more
for you.
Best wishes
Ben
This was the encouraging bit; Kevin wrote back. Few TV or
film producers ever return correspondence once they realize that you're not
satisfied with merely being an ingredient in the broth; you want to see the
recipe book too.
Hey Ben.
Super, thanks for getting back to us. That is exactly what
we are planning on doing, which is why John and Joe are happy working with us.
You're all scientists and our intention is to use that misconception of your
field as our niche on the subject.
The Roaming Skies conference sounds incredible and it
coincides with our shooting week perfectly. I hadn't asked him so you've really
helped us out here.
Thank you so much for getting back to us!
Kevin
I'm inclined to believe him when he says he is planning on
portraying the UFO subject respectfully. I'm happy to give him a chance. I know
I have a rule never to work with the mainstream media; and indeed, if he had
been connected in any way shape or form with the BBC or Channel 4 etc, I'd have
binned his letter immediately. However not everybody in the media is like that
and there are some growing platforms and outlets that are, in my view, not
controlled. Vice is a good example and I was pleasantly surprised with how good
their documentary on targeted individuals was, see: http://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/vice-documentary-on-targeted-individuals.html.
Maybe it's the 2016 effect still hanging on. It's worth entering into
discussion with these people. Be cautious, but positive. I'll let you know what
"Kevin" says next.
See here for more
information: http://hpanwo-tv.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/offer-from-channel-4_6.html.
And: http://hpanwo-tv.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/confessions-of-alien-abductee-aftermath.html.
What gives you the right to ask for respect; respect for something you are yet to prove even exists?
ReplyDeleteI think we HAVE proven it exists, Clive.
ReplyDeleteHi Ben
ReplyDeleteHaving had some dealings with mainstream TV, I have also experienced how the team is often a bunch of freelancers who get an official looking email address for the project. They then send out junior researchers who will say ANYTHING to get people to come along including lie. I even had one say that Richard Dawkins was going to behave himself. What rubbish!
They get you there, do a hatchet job in post production and by the time the program comes out it could be a year later by which time all the email addresses and phone numbers are defunct as they were just issued during the project and there is nobody accountable.
Hi Manjir. I recall your interaction with the Dawkinsian Atheist very well. Fear not. I will demand full transparency and negotiate a certain amount of editorial control. I've been in this position before, see the background links. It's better just to make your own movies, which we both do. Best wishes. Ben
ReplyDeleteClive, I won't publish your comments unless they're polite.
ReplyDelete