SUBJECT: UfO Cover-Up ? FILE: UFO135 PART 1 UFO Magazine was privileged--or is the word cursed?--to be let in on the 'latest' inside information and gossip as the production of "UFO Cover-up? Live!" developed over the course of many months in the latter part of 1988. When the final product aired on October 14 of that year, it was both more and less than expected by the UFO Community--enlightening some, frustrating many, and throwing most of us back into that endless, spinning circle of rumor and speculation as to just who sits at the controls when UFO information breaks into big media. Barry E. Taff was the original writer hired to prepare the treatment and screenplay for the show. The following is his first-hand impression of what transpired over the course of "UFO Cover- up..." Though based on real events, the opinions he expresses should not be taken as reflecting those of either ParaNet or UFO Magazine--Vicki Cooper/ASK UFO "UFO Cover-Up? Live!": The Untold Story by Barry E. Taff During the course of development and production of the two- hour, prime-time LBS syndicated special "UFO Cover-Up? Live!" wild and unsubstantiated rumors circulated throughout the UFO community about what was happening, particularly in regards to what (or who) the sources of information were and who was calling the shots behind the scenes. As the original writer for that much discussed show, I can reveal some rather startling, although perhaps less-than- sensational truths about what REALLY occurred during the course of the production, and why the resulting program was an amateurish attempt at trying to chronicle and document current events and the history of ufology. I was hired at a salary well below scale, which was acceptable at the time, for we all believed that this program would be the chance of a lifetime, especially considering some of the creative staff: Tracy Torme, Curt Brubaker, Bob Emenegger, Marty (J.R.) Pasetta, Jr. During my initial interview for the job, I found the producer to be extremely friendly and very concerned that the end product of the show reflect a high caliber of writing regarding the show's topic or premise. The situation couldn't have sounded any better, and given the involvement of associate and segment producers whom I already knew and had worked with, along with UFO consultants such as William Moore, Jaime Shandera and Stanton Friedman, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, after being told that the show's budget was approximately $1,250,000.00 only later to learn that it was closer to $825,000.00, I began to worry that things weren't as they seemed. As the show progressed in development and production, I discovered that I was hired for my vast knowledge of Ufology's history, related technology and current events. Although as it turned out, this zeal was not shared in entirety by the show's producer. As we began to choose the sources of information and those individuals we wished to be associated with the show, based entirely on the validity, accuracy and what we believed to be corroborating evidence of their information, incredible rumors began to flourish that the show was being run and/or manipulated by insiders who were supposedly government intelligence officers from such agencies as CIA, NSA or even MJ-12. This matter became so comical that the creative staff made up a batch of "MJ" cards, ranging from one through twelve, and pasted one on each of our desks just to get a laugh when visitors came to the offices. End of part 1 ********************************************** * THE U.F.O. BBS - http://www.ufobbs.com/ufo * **********************************************