Opinion: UFO documentaries need to stop being overproduced and dramatic and present more like a Ken Burns PBS production.

As someone deeply invested in the UFO phenomenon, I’ve watched numerous documentaries and have greatly respected the work of the leading UFO filmmakers and others who have pushed this topic so hard. However, I’ve been contemplating the current “brand” in UFO documentary production and feel there’s a need for a significant stylistic shift.

While the cinematic approach of current documentaries can be impressive, there’s an undeniable synthetic feel to it. When UFO topics are presented like a Hollywood movie, it doesn’t just change the viewing experience; it detracts from the authenticity and seriousness of the subject. This synthetic feeling, I believe, is a disservice to the realness and importance of UFO research.

I understand the intent behind these high-production values — to captivate and draw in a larger audience. But in doing so, the core essence of the subject, its realness and gravity, seems to be lost. We’re dealing with a potentially groundbreaking area of study, not a fictional tale.

Consider how other serious topics are presented in documentaries. They don’t rely on dramatic music or fancy production values. Instead, they focus on delivering information in a straightforward, factual manner. This is where I see a Ken Burns-style approach as being more appropriate for UFO documentaries. His work, characterized by deep research and respectful storytelling, could serve as an ideal model for UFO documentaries. This method would not only maintain the integrity of the subject but also encourage a more mature, informed public discussion.

The goal should be to inform and educate, not merely to entertain. By adopting a more subdued, research-focused approach, we can elevate the discourse around UFOs, treating it with the seriousness it deserves.

Anyway, this is just my opinion. Curious to see if anybody felt similarly about the subject.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think UFO documentaries should move towards a less dramatized style, or do you see value in the current approach?