Yo - started writing to you when you first wrote re: David House. The prospect of the activist warehouse is enticing, but it seems a little ephemeral at this stage. Until we know that it's a go, and that pretty much everyone who would be living there would be OK with being filmed, I won't mention it to the pitch committee. I think we are in good shape without it, though - I don't think the lack of warehouse will weaken the show. (If it is a go, I will need to have statements and bios from everyone who wants to participate by the beginning of August.)
If the warehouse thing does happen, and if you think the "unprecedented" project is a go, I'd love to hear more about that. I imagine there won't be all that much for you to share, if you are hoping to maintain some element of surprise, but what would matter to me most is the projected timeframe of that project. The odds of our being able to shoot anything before September are low, so if it's slated for before then, we'll likely miss it. And if it's a long-term thing, I'd like to have an idea of how long it might last, just so I know whether to frame it as a season-long thing or perhaps just a one-episode arc.
I was glad to receive the adventure bio. It's really densely packed - I am going to need to read through it a few times before I isolate more elements that I want to focus on. The things that initially jumped out at me:
- Aaron Barr, Jennifer Emick, Thomas Ryan, Ron Moore - It's great, from my perspective, that you have these foes, especially in that they are individual people, rather than abstract corporations. Are there other public figures that you feel merit a mention in your antagonist/nemesis category? (I know you are focused on security issues now, but I'd also love to hear about feuds outside of that realm, say, with the Scientologists or any other religious folks.)
- Sabu. Is anyone still in contact with him?
- Jenna - Has Jenna ever been in the public eye? Have you talked to her much about the prospect of being on the show? From what you've told me about her, I think she would be great, particularly since she understands your work... but I am a little wary of positioning her as a full-on cast member, since a) I'm not sure to what extent she would be willing to be involved, and b) correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like your romantic relationship is somewhat recent.
- Karen - Frankly, Karen would be an ideal regular element of the show. Have you mentioned it to her at all? I understand that if you were to move to Boston, she'd be out of filming range, but if you're in Texas at any point, it would be amazing to have direct face-to-face time between the two of you. Let me know how you feel about this. I completely understand if you'd like to keep your family out of the spotlight. But knowing Authentic as I do, I know that her on-screen involvement would make a huge difference. No one will care more about your exploits than she will... and that will translate powerfully on screen.
(I've mentioned her before, and I don't want to seem repetitive, but I wonder how you feel about Mirna. I feel more confident pitching Mirna than Jenna, perhaps because I've met her face to face, but also because I know that you have a decade, at least, of history together, and she knows what to expect around you. I also think that her law background could provide an interesting angle on or counterpoint to the hacktivist perspective. Just let me know if you'd be interested/willing to include her. FYI, I will probably ask her for a skype interview just for the purpose of the pitch video, regardless of whether or not she's in the show. I just need a few quick sound bytes of people describing you.)
I've gone through a lot of articles and video this weekend, and I am really happy with what I've found so far. I'm listening to your conversation with Aaron Barr now, and I'll be going through the Russia Today videos over the next few days. All of the video I have, though, centers around political talk. I wasn't able to find any bathtub videos that included your native audio, for some reason. If you are able to get that hunting video to me, let me know. I'm just dying for anything that's spontaneous and not fully geared towards activism.
By the way, I wasn't thinking of hunting as a regular element of the show - just mentioned it as a way of expressing your personality outside of the internet realm. Which brings me to my most important point - as you're drafting your mission statement and thoughts on the show, keep in mind that Authentic produces reality TV, not investigative journalism. The best way I can think to differentiate the two right now is to emphasize that reality TV is about characters, first and foremost, whereas journalism is more about objective facts, demonstrable trends, history, etc. To win this pitch, we have to position this as a show about the people, especially you, who take it upon themselves to pursue whatever it is you choose to pursue (transparency, justice? You'd know best how to phrase it). We want to highlight what choices you'll make in your individual lives to achieve those goals, and what the personal consequences to you and your foes are, whether you do or don't succeed. A lot of the details of your work won't translate to this format unless we can humanize them - hacking HBGary's emails is a remarkable feat, but hacking HBGary's emails thanks to Aaron Barr's careless password management and causing Aaron Barr to resign - that's a feat with a face attached - something that anyone, regardless of background, can relate to.
I know you want to raise awareness for your work. It seems to me that you'll have to approach this show as a way of driving Internet traffic to your various sites. It will be difficult to convey a lot of the details of your work on screen, and honestly, most of it's probably easier to understand in written form. As I see it, what the show should do is demonstrate that a) you are focused on issues that affect real people; b) you, Barrett, do whatever it takes to affect a change; c) if you can, anyone can. Forgive me if any of that sounds trite - in terms of sleep, my 10 AM is like most people's 5 AM - but I hope you see what I'm getting at here. I want to portray you candidly as a person who's achieved international awareness through the power of his own determination, and in spite of the obstacles of social status and chemical dependency that may have stood in his way.
Finally got the damn internet to work again. Below find the adventure
bio up to my March 6th raid by FBI, followed by brief descriptions of
two characters (mom and gf) who would be coming up most consistently
(gf especially since she lives with me and is involved in Anon); there
are quite a few more people with whom I interact on Skype, Next thing
I'll get you is draft of mission statement regarding how I can expect
to provide content that's both interesting/entertaining and uniquely
informative re: both the "new activism" and the cyber-industrial
issues that motivate me, my group, and other activists I work with.
Will also include ideas on how a few things that do occur on the
text-driven internet can be "brought to life" a bit when warranted. As
a preview, I should note that I enjoy going out drinking, and I also
enjoy giving my little lectures on government and activism to patrons
and bartenders alike. The bartenders at The Quarter, the bar next to
my apartment, would thus be a good venue by which to accomplish any
"man on the street" sort of thing while giving it a twist. Hunting, as
you mention, is also a possibility; will think a bit more on that and
other options by which to facilitate some variation. I'll need to make
certain that David House is indeed set on this "activist warehouse"
idea, in which case there'll be quite a bit more to work with on all
fronts; will plan to talk to him in next day or so to find out where
we are on that.
Barr has been an ongoing foe of mine, and just tweeted something about
me to another fellow, "Hubris," an ex-military hacker who helped run
the group "Backtrace Security" which in turn secretly contracted with
HBGary to identify and locate the individuals responsible for the
hack, as well as to find something to "get [me] picked up on." This
has only been confirmed due to a hack on e-mail accounts belonging to
Backtrace's other founder, Jennifer Emick, by a group called UGNazi
(several members of which were soon afterwards arrested); the e-mails
released also show that Emick, a former Anon, was indeed serving as an
FBI informant at the same time that she and her partners at Backtrace
were working for HBGary. More recently, Hubris and Emick got in some
sort of ridiculous fight that's resulted in Hubris confirming other
details and releasing documents that shed more light on all of this.
Only a few elements are worth noting at any point in the series, but
anyway Barr and another contractor named Thomas Ryan are both
interesting enemy figures that also happen to be involved in a couple
of the methodologies/capabilities that Project PM works to document
and expose.
1981: Born to Robert Brown and Karen Lancaster in Dallas.
1986 - 1987: Robert, who had made millions in real estate projects, is
investigated and then indicted by FBI for alleged participation in
land-flipping. Hes eventually found not guilty, but legal bills
combined with economic downturn and exuberant spending habits
(including big game hunting across Africa and elsewhere) end with him
losing everything. Parents divorce, Barrett and Karen move into
grandmothers apartment.
1998: Barrett, who had just barely escaped being expelled from school
after being caught sleeping in girls hotel room on school trip,
decides to skip last two years of high school and goes to Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania with father and several ex-military men, and a Dallas
financier who funded the operation, which was intended to establish
several business interests in the country, starting with lumber.
Barrett learned basic Swahili from books and tapes beforehand in
order to serve as translator when needed. Various bizarre conflicts
arise among crew members due to lack of payment and other matters,
eventually leading to everyones passports being held from them by
director of NASACO (National Shipping Company) Ademba Gomba until
intervention by the State Department. Afterwards Barrett is flown back
by worried mother, Robert loses his money once again.
2000: Enters University of Texas to pursue journalism but then drops
out after getting some writing gigs.Still owes UT $2,000 according to
next 12 years of calls from collections agencies.
2001 - 2009: Lives mediocre life of freelance writer in Austin,
Mexico, New York, twice having to work as a furniture mover for
six-month periods due to lack of gigs. Eventually gets small book
deal, minor reputation as a media critic and political commentator.
Appears on a few media outlets regarding random topics. Gets in public
feuds with various ideological enemies. Struggles with addiction to
heroin.
Early 2010: Establishes Project PM, experimental net-based
think-tank intended to develop potential new methods for taking
advantage of internet. Recruits participants via Skeptical Inquirer
column and various blogs. Group creates blogging/activism platform
intended to organize crowd-sourced efforts, establishes small (but
only slightly successful) Science Journalism Improvement Project to
partner scientists with journalists, plans crowd-sourced African
Improvement Project, etc. Contacted by Anonymous organizer/media
outreach figure Gregg Housh after writing HuffPo article predicting
that Anonymous will facilitate effective opposition to states. Moves
back to Dallas. Prescribed Suboxone, methadone alternative.
January 2011: Begins working with Anonymous participants to assist
net-driven portion of Tunisia insurgency, promoting OpTunisia, writing
Anonymous press releases. Turns Project PM into venue for organizing
further assistance to North Africans, loses most of original
participants over concerns about Anonymous legal status. Arranges pro
bono legal aid for Anons raided by FBI pursuant to earlier DDOS attack
on Visa, MasterCard, and Paypal over Wikileaks blockade. Increasingly
quoted by journalists on Anonymous and related issues.
February 2011: After HBGary hack reveals Team Themis scandal, begins
conducting investigations into other issues stemming from 70,000
leaked e-mails. Records and distributes phone conversations with
executives at firms in question.
March 2011: Subject of NBC Nightly News segment on Anonymous after
interview conducted at home in course of withdrawals from Suboxone.
Increasingly referred to incorrectly as either official spokesman or
leader of movement, prompting hostility from some Anons.
April 2011: Gets back on Suboxone. Publicly quits Anonymous after a
much-publicized civil war occurs between channel operators within
Anon server, shift in emphasis away from Arab Spring. Moves ongoing
investigation on cyber-industrial complex to Project PM, which
establishes Echelon2.org wiki to disseminate info on discoveries.
May - July 2011: Further hacks conducted by Anons on firms with ties
to HBGary and Aaron Barr. Several establish Lulzsec group, begin
unprecedented hacking spree against both legitimate and random
targets, driving massive media coverage. Barrett incorrectly tied to
Lulzsecs activities by several intelligence contracting firms and
media reports despite ambiguous relationship with most of its
participants. Several Lulzsec members arrested in U.K. and U.S.,
including hacker Sabu, who is quietly turned into FBI asset.
August - September 2011: Project PM work continues. Barrett agrees to
serve as co-writer to Gregg Housh on book project, which is sold to
Amazon.
October 2011: After an Anon is subjected to routine Mexican Anons
launch #OpCartel, threatening to release dozens of names of
Zeta-affiliated individuals taken from stolen government e-mails
unless, before backing off the operation in face of opposition from
other Anons, and then again deciding to go ahead with it. Barrett
speaks out in support of operation after talking to participants, who
later call it off once again after the individual is released. After
widespread media coverage, Barrett is contacted by various individuals
in both U.S. and Mexico with info on cartels as well as related
matters, including one person with specific details on a North
Carolina DA with alleged ties to drug activity; info is passed on to
area journalists. The DA, Ron Moore, is later embroiled in ongoing
scandal over missing money, weapons from police evidence locker and
refusal to release results of federal audit on the matter.
November 2011: Several security contractors with ties to HBGary post
pictures and addresses of a home they believe Barrett to reside in.
One, later revealed to be an ex-military buddy of an HBGary executive,
manages to obtain actual current address and posts a portion of it
online. Barrett skips town for a month before returning to Dallas.
December 2011: Hackers associated with Sabu, whos been hanging out in
Project PM server, infiltrate Stratfor and eventually manage to take
5.2 million e-mails covering ten years of operations, including
surveillance operations against activist groups in Bhopal under
contract with Union Carbide and indications of a secret indictment
against Assange. After getting permission from Sabu and Jeremy Hammond
Barrett contacts firms execs regarding potential redaction process,
but after ongoing discussions at PM server and elsewhere, the haul is
sent to Wikileaks (as is reported later, Sabu originally asked org for
payment, prompting remaining questions as to whether FBI was making a
play to entrap Assange).
March 2012: Arrests of most remaining Lulzsec hackers and revelations
of Sabus FBI status are revealed in Fox News exclusive a few hours
after Barretts apartment and then mothers home is raided by the FBI.
Jenna: Girlfriend with longtime ties to activist portion of Anonymous,
and working/social relationships with some of the same people with
whom Barrett interacts online. Originally, Jenna was among the many
within Anon who saw Barrett in a somewhat negative light, having once
referred to him as "the poor man's Julian Assange." More recently,
after having become frustrated by Anon's dwindling influence and
internal difficulties, she contacted Barrett via e-mail to discuss the
matter, prompting several weeks of communications that ended with her
flying down from Toronto for what was originally supposed to be a
week. Thereafter she broke up with her live-in fiance, and still lives
with Barrett. Being knowledgable about the environment within which
Barrett works, and having lived with him in his efficiency apartment
for over a month now, Jenna serves in a sort of advisory capacity that
consists in large part of reminding him that he is not God or even
particularly competent. She also has to contend with his Suboxone
addiction, which tends to make him "emotionally unavailable," but
tends to look forward to his drinking, which allows him to be
affectionate.
Karen Lancaster: Intelligent, extraordinarily overprotective mother
who reads everything Barrett - her only child - writes, and everything
written about him, and who holds strong opinions on much of both.
Barrett receives constant phone calls and e-mails from her about
everything from what he should wear on TV appearances to what
terminology he should avoid when talking to the press. Having been a
difficult son to raise, Barrett sometimes feels obligated to accept
his mom's preferred direction, but usually doesn't. Presumably she
would exist in the show only as a disembodied voice emanating from
speaker phone, or as concerned e-mails read aloud by Barrett to Jenna.
On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 1:14 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey, been having Internet problems over here at josh's place but will send you character list and adventure bio in about six hours when I get to another friend's place. Dojo video seems to be gone, but I might have the hunting DVD back in Dallas. Have you found all the Russia today appearances on YouTube? Let me know which ones you have so far. There's also one about my Romas/coin report that has Lt. Col. Anthony Schaffer, linked to from Romas/coin entry on echelon2.org. Will try to recall which others might be floating around. Search YouTube for Barrett brown bath, or google.
>
> Also, I might be moving into a shared warehouse space in boston with David house and other activists in September, which would obviously make this all more viable.
>
> Sent from my iPhone