SDCC 2018: History Channel Brings ‘Project Blue Book’ To Life In San Diego

History Channel has always been known for their documentaries and reportive shows. From guns, tanks, planes and WW2 all the way to mysteries throughout time, including those of an alien nature. In the last few years they have branched out into scripted dramas based on real life historical events, most notable being their juggernaut hit Vikings. 

This year at SDCC History announced they were starting a new drama based off the real life reports from Project Blue Book. Starting in the 50’s, Project Blue Book was the project given to the US Airforce to collect, study and investigate UFO sightings from around the country. Hundreds of reports were taken in and investigate, with a purported 700 unsolved. The show Project Blue Book promises to bring the real life reports to life with a certain amount of flair.

The entire concept of this show as me absolutely stoked. Growing up I was ADDICTED to shows like X-Files, Outerlimits and Sightings. When I got an opportunity to meet with History and check out their Project Blue Book experience outside of Comic Con I was stoked.

Hot off the heels of Sacred Lies, I jaunted over to the Project Blue Book activation. Set up was a small “command center”. Some tents and a few shipping containers made up the compound. I met with my contact and was soon hurried into line.

Walking into the tent, I was instructed to have a seat. A small table with a few canvas folding chairs were on each side of the tent. A woman in an US Airforce uniform asked me if I had a UFO sighting in my life. I quickly scanned my memory and recalled an incident where I was sitting around a fire with friends, and we all saw something shoot across the moon. Was it Alien? Who knows, but it was DEFINITELY an Unknown Flying Object. I was handed a clipboard with a stack of papers on it. Looking through the sheet, I surmised that this was a UFO reporting intake sheet, and assumed it was similar to the one people would fill out back in the 50’s. The form was thorough, asking where it was on the horizon, what time of day, part of the planet I was on, weather etc. etc. After a few minutes I had the form filled out to the best of my memory, it was a few years ago after all. I turned it in and then was told to wait for The General to take us into the center.

A man in full Air Force general regalia let us know what we were about to learn. Explained what Project Blue Book was, and we were led into a security screening room. “Security screening” must be Air Force secret code for PERFECTLY AIR CONDITIONED. I could stay in there all day, the sweltering San Diego heat was instantly another world away. It definitely added to the whole alien motif. Once we passed our security clearance we were led into the control room.

We were led into another room. An eerie blue glow surrounded us. Pictures were near impossible in this space. Another officer led us in and instructed us to stand in the center of the room. We were about to learn about three incidents from Project Blue Book. A UV light turned on, and the wall behind me lit up in UV paint. An artist rendition of an UFO sighting known as “The Lubbock Incident” glowed brightly. Hidden speakers turned on and we heard a man explaining what he saw. My third irrational fear, Carnival Haunted Houses, popped into the front of my mind. After that, the light turned off and a second turned on, lighting up another wall. Another report illustration and audio file played. A ghastly monster, with large claws and a giant head was depicted in a wooded area. Large lit up craft in the background. Seeing this drawing, and hearing the audio from the report reminded me of my second irrational fear. Aliens. Two of my irrational fears were being triggered hardcore, why was I doing this to myself? Soon the lights went off and the third and final report was depicted. A drawing of a P-51 mustang fighter and a UFO lit up. I recognized this incident, as one of the first reported UFO sightings to the real life Project Blue Book. The 1948 Mantell UFO incident. The third and final drawing dimmed out and our guide let us know that there were still hundreds to be explored, and invited us to check out the command center.

We were led into the heart of the exhibit. A wall of control panels straight out of a 1950’s sci fi film lined the wall, while two actors sat at desks on the opposite wall working on Blue Book reports. We were told we could sit at a station and send out a text messages into space. I sat down at station 5, and sent out a solemn request for help. Earth is in trouble, and needs help from The Gods. We need The Gods to save us from ourselves. Once sent, a number started to quickly count up. My message was being tossed into space. Hopefully someone out there receives the message and saves us from ourselves.

Once done, I went to leave the room. Just before I left, a man in a black suit came up to and stopped me. He let me know that there were still over 700 reports that have gone investigated, and that Project Blue Book was still running at full steam, and to keep an eye out for The Soviets.

Much like the Sacred Lies experience, the Project Blue Book installation from History got me absolutely pumped for the show. It appears to be the perfect combination of real life and drama, and if shows like Vikings are any indication, we are in for a great ride.

Project Blue Book stars Aidan Gillen (“Game of Thrones”) and Michael Malarkey (“The Vampire Diaries”) and will be out sometime this winter. You ABSOLUTELY need to check it out.