CENTRALIZATION OF CIA TELEVISION PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00885R000100010088-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2007
• Sequence Number: 88
• Publication Date: November 20, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

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20 November 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Office of Policy and Planning
FROM : Chief, Planning Staff, OPP
SUBJECT : Centralization of CIA Television Production
Activities
1. You had requested that we look into the suggestion, contained in
the attached anonymous letter, that the A enc centralize the management
of its television production facilities. I hlooked into this 25X1
and came to certain conclusions and recommen a ions. is study is certainly
not a definitive examination of this topic. More detailed analysis such as
suggested in paragraph seven should be conducted before a final decision is
reached.
2. The use of televisor techniques and equipment in CIA has been a
topic of considerable senior management attention. In 1977, the DDCI
initiated a study of the subject. This study concluded that:
- CIA should have a professionally staffed center,
primarily for the production of finished intelli-
gence.
- the small specialized TV units in the Office of
Training and Office of Communications should
continue to function in a decentralized role.
- the Presentational Means Steering Group (PMSG)
should undertake a detailed study to establish
a more comprehensive set of goals for the future
use and management of TV in CIA.
NOTE: The PMSG was formed informally about 1975, and was given formal status
(by Headquarters Notice 1-146) in 1979. That charter expired in 1980. It
was established with Agency-wide representation, chaired by a senior NFAC
officer, to review and advise senior management on the use and development of
Agency wide television activities.
Of the three findings noted above, only the first two have come to fruition.
We can find no record of PMSG review or report to senior management.
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3. In 1979, the DCI approved a recommendation in the Inspector General's
survey of the Office of Training calling for an updated Agency-wide study of
existing and planned television production facilities, with a view to ensuring
maximum economy and effectiveness, and avoidance of duplication. The PMSG
was charged with conducting this study. They developed and circulated a
questionnaire to all Agency offices. The PMSG leadership was then reassigned
and the study was not completed. The completed questionnaires are available
.in NFAC and provide substantial information on facilities, equipment, etc. as
of 1979.
4. In January 1981, NFAC conducted a review of the use and management of
TV and for intelligence production support purposes and concluded that:
- TV is a valuable medium for the presentation of in-
telligence and related tutorials if it is used selectively-
= teleproduction resources must be protected in the NFAC
program at realistic costs.
- NFAC should not continue to bear the resource burden
of providing services to other Agency components.
As a result of this study, NFAC for the first time has included specific
resources for its TV center in the 1983 program request. These resources
were formerly pieced together from other NFAC components.
5. CIA's current uses for television are quite diverse. Several
Agency facilities have TV equipment. This equipment ranges from relatively
simple record/playback units to complete studios. There is widespread
use of camera/recorder/playback units where students give presentations or
conduct role-playing exercises. Some examples of CIA TV facilities and their
uses are:
NFAC has a headquarters studio for producing finished
intelligence and tutorials.
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OTE has a studio or making training films,
mostly in support of the DDO, from activities conducted
there.
OC has a studio which supports resident students at the
self-study programs for
OC personnel, and OC-wide information dissemination.
DDO I
DDS&T maintains some equipment which is used for signal
analysis and classroom training. The FBIS has a
capability for recording and playback of foreign TV
broadcasts
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6. Based on current applications and a review of the previous studies it
seems, that without a substantial change in policy on how CIA uses TV, that:
- Centralization of the management and facilities for
TV productions in CIA is not likely to be operationally
effective. Our current applications of TV are too
diverse, the equipment is needed at a number of widely
separated facilities, and is needed in conjunction with
equipment or activities that cannot be moved (the commun-
ications training, for example). In addition, most of
the DDO's use of TV is too sensitive to integrate with
other CIA activities and the FBIS's foreign TV equipment
is not generally compatible for use with other Agency TV
systems. It is not apparent that any major economic
benefits would accrue from merging the three major
studio-type efforts in NFAC, OTE, and OC. Historically,
savings from such mergers have been elusive as was the
case when DIV/D and OEL were merged into OSO.
- It might be possible to merge only the supporting electronic
segments of the three major studios (tape editing facilities,
etc). This wouldretain operational flexibility and
possibly reduce inventory, maintenance, and other
costs.
- Potential benefits might also accrue from developing a more
coordinated approach to the acquisition of some equip-
ment, producing an Agency-wide inventory of such equip-
ment, and having a more coordinated approach to rainten-
ance (in-house acrd/or vendor). Commonality of equip-
ment, and the availability to all users of an equip-
ment list would aid in providing spares for units
in repair, meeting surge workloads, etc. Such an inventory
does not presently exist.
7. These conclusions are by no means definitive. However, they do
suggest several possible avenues of further study and action:
- Continue the Agency's TV operations as they are conducted today.
This would recognize the operational problems of merger.
- Ask the Comptroller to study the economics of merger
versus continued operation of the three separate studio
activities in NFAC, OTE, 0/C. (The Comptroller believes
that this might be a candidate for the cost reduction
program)
- Ask the Comptroller to study. the economics of merging
only the technical electronic positions of the studios,
that is, the editing function, etc. This would leave the
"sets" and cameras in place at remote facilities.
- Ask the DDA to develop a plan for coordinated equipment
procurement, inventory, and maintenance of TV equipment
Such a plan should exclude sensitive DDO activities
and FBIS use of foreign TV equipment.
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 Attachment:
as stated
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- Reestablish the PMSG, or new group./to study and
develop options for EXCOM~'r-o-g5 der-ation covering:
o policy on TV uses within CIA
o consolidation of facilities -' *'' i
o coordination of equipment procurement,
use, and maintenance
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. ATTACH'IEYT
SUBJECT: Centralization of Video Production Resources
The attached article from the Friday, 2 October Pashington Post prompts
me to drop you this note concerning the consolidation o t v idea to
facilities and a place to put them. I would very muc appreciate your handling
this correspondance with as much confidentiality as possible so that I am not
perceived as having made an end-run around some very fine people.
As the interest in utilizing video tape as a training tool increases,
more and more components within the Agency vie for the monies to create their
own facilities. Video systems and support staffs require rather large amounts
of initial expenditure, particularly since those involved in the creation of
these fiefdoms usually suffer from the "more is better", syndrome. We have a
tendency-to keep throwing money at it in an effort to'make it bigger and,
therefore, better. Like advertising, video facilities are among the least under-
stood of the big budget items.
I propose that we create an office to central i7P airf-hnrity over the
various video facilities within the Agency's purview. By this creation we will
have at once drawn competing identities together as one unit yet retaining their
individuality, and we will have a measure of control over'system duplication.
Moreover, since the bulk of video effort is in the area of training and
briefing, and video technology now facilitates the user's efforts at more
desirable in-the-field production, we needn't expend large amounts of money on
a "broadcast quality" in-house studio production facility.. Electronic Field
Production technology not-1 allows us to take the target audience to the subject
rather than recreate the subject in the studio - a process much akin to putting
a ship in a bottle. Thus, we utilize our monetary resources more efficiently on
editing systems and less expensive portable video equipment. In addition, the
staffing requirements are greatly reduced in that the same Producer who initiates
.the-project performs the Scriptwriter fuiiction,.Directs -'i~e..t pe S??_ :tents, and
edits =th f inal:-p 'eves'together= with-toe cf~ient `who performs as content ex~:ert
throughout. On-location crew requirements are - kept to a minimum because the EFP _
video equipment allows for a greater range of functions to be performed by a
minimum number of people. Not to mention that EFP equipment is at once. portable
and adaptable to in-house studio use.
For optimum performance, fixed video systems require much the same
environment as computer systems. That is, video tape recorders and editing systems
used for the purpose of creating a master tape from the segments shot in the field
react adversely to conditions of high temperature and humidity. Dust is another
factor that can ruin a tape that may have required many man hours to assemble and,
once damaged, may double the expenditure required for the gathering of that
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in a ition to the creation of a centralized authority, I propose that this
P it and attendant video facility be housed in the new buildin
material. Moreover, an environment much the same as that required for the storage
of magnetic computer tape is required for the storage of video tape. Therefore,
.4,
presently propose or c ang ey grounds.
-- = In addition; given that the bulk of video production is concerned with
training and briefing, I should like to propose that the Office of Training and
Education (or some related portion thereof) be located ink facility as well
as the briefing production portion of the NFAC facility presently located in the
Headquarters building. In this manner, we bring together the two strongest units
of production serving the widest audience requirements. Of necessity, some out--
lying units would retain their autonomy and physical plant locations though their
ultimate purchasing and staffing requirements would be handled through the central
office of video production. kcentral video tape library and duplication facility
would also be located in this building clue to its superior env i ronmen a qua t-i es.
and resistance to tempest hazards. Security of stored materials is another factor.
I hope that it is not already too late to consider this proposal in light
of architectural planning and over-all budgeting. I firmly believe that, on the
face of it, this idea has considerable merit and needs only polishing and minor
tinkering to bring to the Agency a training and briefing facility that we can
point to with great pride. I am not alone in this thinking - over my short assoc-
iation with Central Intelligence I have heard others express similar thoughts,
though at this writing I am not aware of anyone having acted accordingly.
I am at your disposal for further discussion or correspondance.
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