MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1985 03

Magazine Overview

Title: P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: # 7
Date: March 1985
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network (MUFON)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the P.I.P.E. LINE newsletter from MUFON focuses on the organization's efforts to produce a 60-minute documentary on the UFO subject. The documentary is intended for broadcast on local cable television channels during National UFO Information Week.

Documentary Production and Call for Participation

The primary goal of this issue is to solicit participation from individuals listed in the newsletter for the documentary. Marge Christensen is coordinating the project with a local cable television company and a technician. Participants are required to arrange for a brief videotaped segment of themselves, adhering to specified topics and time allotments, and send these tapes to Marge by April 5th. This can be done at local cable television offices or by renting video cameras.

The newsletter emphasizes the importance of notifying Marge within the next week about one's ability to participate. The studio in Beverly will film the narrator, linking all segments into a cohesive 60-minute presentation. A technician will handle the taping, narration, and potentially background music. MUFON plans to retain control over the content, allowing for maximum flexibility.

Program Outline

The proposed structure of the documentary is detailed:

• Introduction: Narrator (1-3 minutes) – potentially Dr. David M. Jacobs or Mr. Walt Webb.
• Historical Overview: (8 minutes) – Dr. J. Allen Hynek.
• Brief Explanation of Types of Cases: Narrator (1-2 minutes), with slides available.
• Important Cases: (15 minutes total) – including the John Schuessler-Cash-Landrum case, Barry Greenwood's work on the Bentwaters AFB case, and Ray Fowler's involvement with the Kirtland AFB case. Each case segment is estimated to be 5-6 minutes.
• Physical Trace Cases: Ted Phillips (4 minutes).
• Abduction Cases: Budd Hopkins (6-7 minutes).
• Govt. documents released under the F.O.I.A.: Peter Gersten (5 minutes) or Barry Greenwood.
• Photos and Photoanalysis: Bruce Maccabee (4 minutes).
• Investigator training and competence: Discussion on what a case investigation involves, presented by Dan Wright (4-5 minutes).
• Brief Comments on MUFON: Walt Andrus (2-3 minutes).
• Concluding statements: Narrator (3 minutes).

Logistics and Costs

Participants are urged to make every effort to be included, acknowledging that it may cause inconvenience and potential costs for camera rental. MUFON highlights this as a unique, one-time opportunity for national television coverage and for having total control over the program's content. The organization is making an initial investment in buying tapes for copying and paying the television technician. Copies of the documentary will be available for purchase at approximately $20 each, with State Directors and interested individuals able to buy them from Mass. MUFON. Participants are encouraged to use visuals in their segments.

Technical Information

Participants are requested to use VHS tape if possible. However, if only BetaMax tape is available, MUFON has facilities to convert it to VHS. Both VHS and Beta videotapes will be made available to purchasers.

Closing

The newsletter concludes with a thank you from Marge Christenson, reinforcing the importance of cooperation and assistance for the project.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the proactive effort by MUFON to utilize mass media, specifically cable television, to disseminate information about UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is one of urgency and encouragement, emphasizing the unique opportunity this documentary presents for reaching a wider audience and maintaining control over the narrative. There is a clear call to action for members to contribute their time and resources to make this project a success.