DATE:5
pril
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director
R. Boxx
Director of Public Affa
Television Scries
The PAS project to collaborate in the productionelevision series based on unclassified CIA file summaries has progressed to the point where it is appropriate to review our commitments and the steps that will be required lo ensure the project'slanning meeting with the production company. Television Production Partnerss scheduled forould like to discuss this project with you at the earliest convenience.
Biffcg/TWffld: The intent of this project, initialed by DO Woolsey in the springs to expand our use of the entertainment media toealistic and positive public image of CIA and intelligence, toumber of intelligence myths and mispcrceptions cornrnonly promoted by the enteriainment industry, and toopular project that would benefit employee morale. TPP was selected as Ihe production company for this project based on its stated interest in developing programming that portrays American institutionsositive light and due to (tie extraordinary control it would allow CIA in reviewing the production. This projeci was briefed to and approved by the CIA EXCOM in4etter of Agreement between CIA and TPP was signed by Acting DO Studcman at the end of that month. TPP has recently concluded an agreementh Cenlury Fox Television for the productionwo hour television movie that will serve as the pilototential weekly dramatic series.
Commitments: CIA has agreed to provide TPP with unclassified summaries drawn from actual CIA files that will serve as the bases for story and script development. TPP is authorized to embellish these summaries for dramatic purposes provided the resulting depictions are consistent with US laws and general CIA practices. TPP is considenng hiring two former senior Agency officials to serve as technical advisors to review this aspect of the story development. OA will review and approve or deny all stories and scripts produced. In exchange for this extraordinary control. OA has granted TPP the right lo use the CIA name and seal in the production and to slate that the stories arc fictional accounts based on actual OA files. In the event that OA does notpecific script. TPP may either revise the script to address OA concerns or air the episode without use of the CIA name and seal andisclaimer that the episode was not produced with the cooperation of OA.
I'QtcaliaJ: This project presents an unprecedented opportunity for OA to influence the portrayal of this Agency and US intelligenceotentially high profile and successful television series reaching millions of Americans, It has been briefed to and has the support of both congressional oversight committees. The extent of CIA control and ihe commitment of TPP loealistic and positive depiction of CIA greatly increases
lhc likelihood of an acceptable production as compared to previous entertainment projects in which we have cooperated.
Issuer: Efforts over the last two years have focused on structuring an agreement that will ensure protection of CIA equities while also allowing flexibility for creative development Now that TPP has reached an agreementajor network, thereumber of issues that must be addressed as the project proceeds toward production. These issues include:
ability to refer to fundamental
the ability to ensure review of scripts within five days.
Furthermore, if the iniu.il two hour pilotuccess and leads to productioneekly series, we must beosition toontinuing supply of unclassified synopses irxrorporaiing various ope rational, analytical, administrative, technical, and human interest aspects of the Agency.
Review Process: Throughout the projeci, PAS must be able to operate with confidence that (he information provided and cooperation rendered is consistent with existing CIA policies, procedures, and legal precedents, specifically in the area of official acknowledgmentsAelieve this will require lhc creationmall TPP project review body lhat will have the airtbority to consider and approve both lhc unclassified synopses and the resulting scnpls. This body must also be able lo conduct these reviews within the five day period agreed to with TPP. The proposed review body may include an Associate Deputy Director from each directorate as well as die General Counsel and lhc Director of Public Affairs.
I would like to discuss this projeci as soon as possible, perhaps at the next Seniors Meeting, and review ihe anticipated issues and requirements the project entails. The project is nowritical stage where CIA management must be in agreement regarding our commilrnents and flexibility if we arc lo proceed with development and production.
Dennis K. ISoxx
Original document.
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