FrackNation vs. Gasland Part II- The Real Story

By: James Asbury
Dateline: Mansfield , PA
July 7, 2013

Gasland Part II played directly across 4th street in The Performing Arts Center from Genetti’s Hotel showing Frack-Nation in Williamsport, PA at the same time on Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Hours after, the “grassroots” showing of FrackNation and Gasland Part II, HBO associates including their PR people were made available for a sit-down at the Bull Frog Brewery in Williamsport. The Drill’N Man was allowed to ask any questions and got the answers. Paul Harvey used to say on th4e radio: “And now for rest of the story”. And here it is.

Drill’n Man question: “The coincidental nearby location, the fact the films are at the same time, the two films use the same advertisement poster- the local writers taking heat from Fox. Isn’t this all just bull. . . .?”

“Of course it is” replied the PR man connected to HBO.

My question was inspired by the odd coincidence about how could these film makers maintain so much animosity between them while showing films down the street from each other at similar times and locations?

Both films have been able to survive by attacking each other . . . . . . .because it’s planned that way.

The HBO PR person would not give out full names or business cards, but we did find and confirm the fact they worked for HBO and are connected to promoting Gasland Part II.

To get attention requires conflict – Josh Fox refuses to talk to FrackNation creator Phelim McAleer direct in public- Fox denied movie goers, including Phelim, admittance to premiere of Gasland Part II’s at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at the 3:30 PM showing in the SVA Theater.

The story made major headlines and was shown on major TV news channels as well as discussed on talk radio. A source who attended the Tribeca Film Fest stated it appeared the ruckus, which ensued as soon as the Dimock contingent got off their bus, was staged by Phelim McAleer. Others firmly believe if there had not been any screaming and shouting, there would have been no reason for security to deny them access to the movie. Other pro-hydraulic fracturing attendees entered without any problems into the theater where the Gasland Part II movie was being shown.

But Josh Fox or his people seemed to have more than willing to preview parts of Gasland Part II and work with FrackNation on some level; sharing advertising with the contrasting film in headlines and social media.

Using another HBO success story as an example, the HBO PR man referred to a storyline in HBO’s popular mini-series, Band of Brothers, a WW2 film inspired by the 101st Airborne Easy Company.

“What if the Allies had landed and the Nazis retreated back to Germany without putting up a fight?” he added “Conflict is necessary in a movie. It gives validity to the story line; without conflict, there is no story, no movie”.

Drill’n Man media consulted P.R. marketing agents including Kross – a veteran company who worked on many high profile accounts including presidential campaigns.

“This is highly irregular”- Said Bill, a PR man with Kross. “I can’t see PR people from different campaigns working together. Professionally there is respect; I’ve had lunch with political opponents, even cooperated on some efforts…but no undercover nonsense.”
What we have here is at least one if not two cases of narcissistic Hollywood types going at each other for personal publicity”.

“It’s about money- you must disconnect yourself from the message. You are paid to write promotional stories” said the contact- Films and major corporations are all about making profits.

Gasland and Gasland Part II made and will make millions of dollars. The films must constantly stay relevant when -“Most headlines have at the most a 10 day life span.”
Essentially Gasland II relies on conflict between the tow producers to keep it in the headlines.
“Josh Fox making a killing on this” said the HBO contact, leaning into the conversation for emphasis, with his demanding up $16,000 for a personal appearance where he eventually breaks out and plays his banjo. The source didn’t believe a dime of Fox’s profits would be donated clean up the earth.

FrackNation will air July 10th on AXS TV, the day after Gasland II is scheduled to play on HBO.

“Of course the timing is relevant,” Cuban, an owner of the network told The Hollywood Reporter. “We want people talking and using AXS TV when they watch and discuss it.”

Strange Bedfellows

Both films would have fallen off the radar by non if it were not for the constant bickering and drama between Josh Fox and Phelim McAleer and seem to thrive on confronting each other for validity. Some film goers are naive to think differently. Both pictures use a formula for drama and addiction. Emotionally driven arguments create a dependent audience with fans who know nothing of the industry outside the movies themselves. Facts outside those illustrated by the two filmmakers are lost on the masses.

Industry observers and movie critics of this eerie spectacle are telling Drill’N Man-News “Enough is enough already” and are sick and tired of covering the films as well as the subject in general.

People in the oil and gas industry know their jobs are not going away. Many experts from both sides agree all political figures, no matter their individual ideologies, will consent to drilling for the same reason people make movies – financial gain.

From this story a new movement has emerged. People within the industry say it’s time to bring things back to reality. Some of these pro and con-hydraulic fracturing movies are made by TV people for what they thought was a controversial subject. They would promptly be walked over to the frac’ pit and having to point where the drain plug is located for doing shallow research on the subject of hydraulic fractuting in pre-production.

Those close to Josh Fox and Phelim McAleer expressed to Drill’N Man Media how unhappy they are with their combined lack of oilfield knowledge. The real oilfield story is missing from these films. Sadly Josh Fox and Phelim McAleer are playing patty cake with each other in a mock drama of mediocrity.

The real news is overlooked- news impacting working men and women and our national energy security. While these two globe trotters post videos on YouTube and trying to turn the spotlight on them, the industry continues to make progress.

Let’s move on and get to work to make the US proud and energy secure once again from countries with hostile governments, who are against our way of life.