Monday, May 01, 2006

More news on my Discovery appearance:

A new envelope came in the mail today. This time it contained an actual CD labeled "The World's Strangest UFO Stories - Did Aliens Build the Pyramids?"

Given the horrific title, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it. Nevertheless, I Googled it and found this description:

Did "ancient astronauts" build Egypt's magnificent pyramids, Britain's mystical Stonehenge and the giant "moai" heads on Easter Island? In the absence of man-made proof to the contrary, some UFO theorists find this idea very compelling. In addition to these awesome but inanimate objects, this episode also challenges religious and evolutionary doctrine to suggest that humanity itself is the product of alien design.


Pyramid-building aliens? An ET "explanation" for the Stonehenge heads? Good god! This turf is so thoroughly chewed that I simply can't imagine the show (one of a series) being any good, let alone insightful. And who knows how I come across. I imagine they felt it necessary to cast me as a "believer" or a "skeptic," in which case I've probably been edited to sound like a credulous drone parroting von-Danikenesque cliches. Assuming I can muster the courage, I'll watch the CD later and find out.

Oh, and so much for the production team letting me know in advance when the show aired. It was on April 28 at 8:00 (ET).

If by some chance there's something worth salvaging, I might post a clip here on my blog. But don't count on it.

3 comments:

Paul Kimball said...

Mac:

Sounds grim. Hope for the best!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - film and television is a business, not a charity, and entertainment is the name of the game. Many producers work with the maxim: if you can inform AND entertain, great - if not, always choose to entertain.

Here's a list of some precautionary measures I suggest to anyone who is about to deal with a film & television production company (the majority of which are reputable, and will treat you with respect):

a) first, ask any producer for a resume and a sample of his previous work on the subject (ie. UFOs). If this is his first UFO film, ask for a sample of his previous work on another subject - if he's treated them fairly, odds are he'll treat you fairly. Check his website (we all have websites). If he won't provide a previous film or a resume, walk away. If he doesn't have a website, walk away;

b) any legal paperwork (contract, release form) should include a clause to the effect of: "The producer will have complete editorial and creative control over all aspects of thefilm. The Subject / Interviewee (etc) will be given the opportunity to screen a fine cut of the film, and will have an absolute right to require changes only in the case of any factually inaccurate statements by the Subject, or by others as they relate to the Subject, or if any statements made by the Subject are taken out of context within the film" This is probably the best you can hope for, but it's better than nothing. If a producer won't oblige (and the above is a standard term in any contract we sign with a Subject), walk away (as most of Michael Moore's victims should have);

c) never answer any question you do not feel comfortable answering;

d) recognize that any answer you give longer than 30 seconds is likely to be edited, not always to your liking (although (b) above helps prevent your words from being twisted). A 2 hour lecture is a lousy idea. We'll ignore it. Keep your answers short and to the point. In television, soundbites rule. If you can't accept that, walk away;

e) always remember that every camera and microphone is potentially live, even when the little red light isn't on;

f) always check your facts beforehand - if you say something that's wrong, it's part of the record, you're stuck with it (although (b) above may give you an out), and you have no-one to blame but yourself when you end up looking like an idiot;

g) ask to see a treatment, or at least a one-page synopsis, of the film in advance;

h) before the interview begins, ask to take a look in the camera viewfinder to see how you're being framed - tight close-up, midshot, etc. If the producer or director won't let you, definitely walk away; and

g) remember that being "treated fairly" doesn't mean that the producer, director or the final film will end up endorsing or accepting your point of view."

See: http://redstarfilms.blogspot.com/2006/04/stan-friedman-on-worlds-strangest-ufo.html

I hope the Discovery show is better than you expected - remember, the network is usually the one writing the promo blurbs, and they often sensationalize a show that might be perfectly sensible in order to lure viewers in (hopefully the viewers will stick once they get there).

Remember as well that once a production company has made a film, it's usually on to the next one right away, so their failure to notify you might just be a simple honest oversight. I once had a network fail to notify me of when one of my films was premiering - I only found out about it because my lawyer called me at home and told me it was ON THE AIR! :-)

I'm curious to see how it works out for you.

Paul

Mac said...

I'll let you know what the show is like. Maybe I'm in for a pleasant surprise. Your list of "dos" and "don'ts" is definitely worth hanging onto.

Emperor said...

Oh dear - I had to stop watching the series (as it was soooooooooo bad) and now I'm kicking myself for not sticking with it.

Sorry to hear you got caught up in it - here's hoping they didn't make you look too silly ;)