Comments on: CryptoChannel ‘06

By: oregonbigfoot

oregonbigfoot — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:48:16 +0000

Hi Loren, all,

I’ve been informed by the producers that I can finally discuss the fact that Skye and I were the investigators who took the Sci-Fi Investigates team out on a three-day expedition a couple of months ago.

After Mysterious Encounters, I was (understandably) reluctant to involve myself with a network to do a Bigfoot show. But I was assured by the producers, (the same folks who do NBC Dateline), that they would conduct a serious investigation into the phenomenon, so I agreed. I didn’t have to be the “star of the show” this time (thank God)… I simply had to provide witnesses, take the group out on an expedition, set up the equipment, and educate the crew as best I could about the Bigfoot phenomenon.

We talked it over for months… but didn’t get around to shooting the episode until I was five months pregnant. That was interesting… hiking way back into the woods with loads of equipment and camping for three days…

Anyway, it’s my hope that they do a good job portraying the Sasquatch phenomenon in a serious light. I did my best, while we were out in the field, to do just that. Though we did have a few lighthearted moments during the shoot. I enoyed the team members – particularly Richard Dolan, the UFO guy. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a bright mind and we got along fabulously. (Hi Richard, if you’re reading this!)

I’m not at liberty to discuss any further details about the episode, since I signed a confidentiality agreement. You’ll just have to watch – as I will. Trust me when I say I have my fingers crossed that they’ll keep the sensationalism down to a minimum. The last thing I want is another M.E…

On a final note, please keep in mind that “REALITY TV” has, most unfortunately, taken precendence over documentary filmmaking with almost all networks. Nowdays, almost ANY bigfoot show you’ll see on TV will have a Reality TV flair to it. I define “REALITY TV” as producers taking “ordinary” people and placing them in “extraordinary” situations in order for the Average Joe viewer to live vicariously through them. Usually, the Average Joes on the screen have no more experience with whatever they’re dealing with than the viewer does… the whole point of Reality TV is that vicarious experience. Reality TV is not, and never will be, on par with a documentary film. (The Sci-Fi took it one step further… Debbie, Bill and Rich are all experts in their chosen fields, which I applaud! Boston Rob is there to represent the “Average Joe”… )

Speaking of which, the Oregon Bigfoot documentary is FINALLY finished and is now available on the website. THAT, at least, I had complete control over and you won’t find me taking a bunch of novices and throwing them into the woods on a bigfoot hunt.

Best,

Autumn Williams
Oregonbigfoot.com

By: robin_bellamy

robin_bellamy — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 22:32:14 +0000

I had the good fortune to work on the Mothman segment of “Sci Fi Investigates” (although my segment was on the haunted hotel in Point Pleasant. If the editing isnt too stupid this should be a good series. I really liked the folks involved–in addition to Boston Rob (who is quite colorful) they feature a CSI, an historian, and an archaeologist. I do think they are skeptic in the real meaning of the word, but I certainly did not get the feeling they were debunkers. Both the historian and the archaelogist have UFO research experience so if anything they likely lean toward believing.

I don’t get the Sci Fi channel (I’m in Canada) but I’m hoping some family in the states will be able to tape the whole series. I spoke with the “stars” about their experiences with the bigfoot, voodoo, and UFO segments and it sounds like it will be great to watch. The team really has a chemistry.

By: iamsandybb

iamsandybb — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:50:16 +0000

re: mothman ,first off i am not a debunker and this is just a guess…After reading your artical about mothman,i then watched the movie “mothman prophicies “and could not help but associate it with cia experiments on innocent civilians(or since this government alows other agencies to operate with in its boarders maybe other agencies ) i belive tech perhaps electronic or frequency in nature are the root causes of these disturbances .i also had just finished watching a documentary on the cia and its hanis experiments with mind control .having experienced the mind altering effects of “hemisink” and “synchronicity” thru foundations that are located near where i reside i can tell you these illusions are possible to create with the right thecnology .(there are proceedings taking place by large human rights organizations to prevent the evil use of such tech from continuing to re-occurr )how ever going up against the goobernment requesting that it stop hurting its own people is like asking a blood thirsty pit viper not to bite someone poking it with a stick .the tech to cause vivid hulusinations with out an audable or detechable source has been out there for about 30 or more years,probally longer it just hasnt been as published untill recently .the phone calls were the key clue to this possibility .this tech breaches reality viea inaudable frequencies.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 07:27:00 +0000

Well, it would be nice if these shows take a nuetral, openminded approach. The thing is, when they take a hostile approach, it not only attacks the credibility of cryptozoology, but it doesn’t look at the evidence in a fair and scientific way. Latching onto a skeptical explaination without considering the actual evidence is just as bad as latching onto the true believer explaination. A little skepticism is healthy, but not when it actively attacks our field or intentionally tries to discredit us by claiming things as hoaxes even when they may not be, like the Patterson film. Shows that do this are not approaching these subjects from a desire to learn the truth, but rather to make fun. These subjects deserve a rational, nonbiased approach, I feel. Here’s hoping that the above does not describe this series of programs.

By: mooppoint

mooppoint — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:58:59 +0000

Loren and readers,

Just curious as to whether you might know why all these shows are airing now?

I know nothing about the timetable and motivation that goes into television scheduling, but this seems pretty hot on the heels of the “Maine mutant” media frenzy.

I’m sure Sci-Fi had these shows scheduled before that, but the timing just seems a little odd.

Just curious.

By: springheeledjack

springheeledjack — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 02:15:52 +0000

I will be tuning in!!! Always surfing the channels for crypto stuff…hey does anyone know if the old “In Search OF” series with Leonard Nemoy has ever been released on video/DVD? I grew up on those! Let me know if anyone has info.

Thanks,

SHJ

By: twblack

twblack — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:29:52 +0000

I like any show dealing with crypto-related things. Even if a negative approach to them. It just makes me look and think about it even harder about the whole story and events that has gone on over the years. For I myself am very skeptical of Lake Monsters I still watch all shows dealing with them. Both believers and skeptics shows alike.

I must admit it would be better if the person doing these shows had more than “hey I was a reality show contestant” hosting. A good background in science or anthropology or biology or crypto or something to do with what they will be reporting on.

I wish they would give Loren and others here a show, it would be far better than anything else out there as of late. I miss the likes of In Search of and Arthur C. Clarks mysteryies. And yes, I know Mr. Spock was nothing more than a TV person, but I thought he and that show did a Very Good Job. If Rob does that good then hey it might be all right too. But I have My HIGH doubts about this show. But I will watch and see for myself.

By: skunkape_hunter

skunkape_hunter — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:37:31 +0000

I will be looking for these shows !! Like many who post here I watch the same shows over and over again in an attempt to glean a little bit more info.

I also do not mind if a show takes a skeptical or hostile approach to the topic. I tend to actually like that better, as it makes me think a bit deeper. It is also fun to watch ‘them’ try to ‘debunk’ the Patterson film. Once I saw a good copy of that film and it became apparent that there were muscles moving under the skin; that is all she wrote as far as I am concerned.

So I say bring it on !

By: jjames1

jjames1 — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 14:54:28 +0000

I’m fairly certain that “Destination Truth” and “Sci Fi Investigates” are, indeed, two separate shows, even though they sound somewhat similar, at least superficially. After looking for the original announcements for each show, they have completely different production staffs.

However, it appears that “Destination Truth” may have never made it past the pilot stage. I can’t seem to find any reference to the show other than Josh shooting a pilot and/or being in Malaysia. On the other hand, “Sci Fi Investigates” has an official debut date. It’s possible (and probable…) that the Sci Fi channel simply decided not to go forward with “Destination Truth” once they saw what they had in “Sci Fi Investigates.”