On January 8, HISTORY will debut its newest original series, Project Blue Book, created and written by New York Film Academy (NYFA) instructor David O’Leary.
The series, which will premiere at 10pm/9c on Tuesday evening, follows other dramatic series based on historical events by the network, including their first foray into narrative programming, Vikings, which featured Acting for Film alum Ragga Ragnars.
Project Blue Book stars Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Wire, The Dark Knight Rises) and chronicles the real-life US Air Force investigations of UFOs in the 1950s, drawing from actual case files and blending UFO theories with authentic historical events from one of the most mysterious eras in US history.
Gillen plays Dr. Allen Hynek, a brilliant college professor recruited by the Air Force to spearhead the titular clandestine operation. The show is executive produced by Robert Zemeckis (Contact, Back to the Future, Forrest Gump.) Several episodes of the series were edited by Emmy-winner and NYFA guest speaker Steven Sprung.
Project Blue Book filmed its first season of ten episodes in Vancouver, Canada from mid-December 2017 through early May 2018. In addition to creating and developing the series, O’Leary also co-executive produces the first season.
O’Leary teaches at New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus for the screenwriting and producing departments. Speaking with NYFA, O’Leary delved into how instructing students influences his professional career, and vice versa:
“When you teach writing at New York Film Academy, as I did, you’re constantly helping talented students break their stories, all towards building compelling and original TV pilots and feature screenplays. Working this storytelling muscle day in and day out, of course, does wonders for your own material, as you apply all that you teach, and frankly learn from your own students, to your own work.”
New York Film Academy prides itself on its exceptional faculty of working professionals. Students receive invaluable insight from the real world expertise and experience of instructors like O’Leary who work in Hollywood and beyond and deal with a dynamic, competitive film industry.
O’Leary adds, “I know that teaching at NYFA was an invaluable resource for me and in making my writing the best it could be. It’s a truly wonderful job for writers as they develop their careers.”
On Tuesday, January 15, O’Leary will screen the pilot of Project Blue Book for students, followed by an exclusive Q&A where students can pick his brain about both the series and his career.
The first season of the series is also available on iTunes, Amazon, Xbox, Vudu, Google Play, Verizon, PlayStation Vue, and Comcast.
The New York Film Academy congratulates David O’Leary on Project Blue Book and encourages everyone to check out its premiere on Tuesday, January 8 on HISTORY!