My views on Ghost hunting Vs. Entertainment-

and why it is percieved the way it is

I had a blast producing this program. It was my baby!

I'll tell you something, despite all the haunted locations I have visited, I have never encountered anything close to being paranormal such as witnessing an apparition or ghost. However, I am very open to the existence of residual energy. I do believe spiritual encounters have occurred in the past and still do. (Just not when I'm around it seems).

There are a lot of ghost buffs and psychics out there that are only interested in promoting their own agendas, and the media stuff becomes the main thing that is important. I think the reason many people do not take the "ghost" topic seriously is because there is so much entertainment "fluff" out there that diminishes any serious approach to the subject matter. So many paranormal accounts have been drawn on very little evidence.

The way I see it, because we don't know enough about what an apparition or residual energy is, we can't know specifically enough what is going to consistently record or measure or document such energy. We can't know specifically enough what is going on based on a picture. For me, there are just so many things a paranormal claim could be. If its just a picture with nothing else to back it up or validate it, it's just lousy evidence.

The people I have showcased have either earned respect from parapsychologists or who have worked with them. One thing that separates the men from the boys in the paranormal world are those who have actually studied parapsychology or who have taught it, or earned degrees in that field back when the degrees were still offered.

In some parts of the country such as Texas, parapsychology has never been offered as a serious program of study. Therefore, there is a good chance one must go out of the state to seek professional guidance on such a topic. For the most part, we have ghost book authors, tour guides, business owners and amateur ghost groups operating under their own ideas. There is a difference in the level of knowledge and expertise and that is what needs to be addressed.

The way it stands now, it's a free-for-all and anyone who wants to hang out a shingle can call themselves a psychic, or a parapsychologist or ghost expert or whatever. And most people don't question that. But that is beginning to change. And there will be a distinction between the two camps. I've heard it said that most people want to get a thrill or be scared or be entertained. I am of the mindset that viewers want more than that, and believe that the bar needs to be raised, and given ideas in a package that won't insult their intelligence, and will actually give them something to think about. There is a market for that here and around the world in my opinion. It will just take more people being responsible on how topics are addressed.

If you do something well and professionally, people remember that and professionals will want to return and be apart of the show or book or whatever.  And let's face it, Ghost Hunting is a HOT TOPIC universally. I believe it will always be for years to come!

Producer’s Q&A

-How does this show differ from other shows on this topic of ghost hunting?

This show differs from other related programs because it was created not only for those who have doubts about ghosts or spiritual activity, but those who want learn more about ghost hunting itself. It's also made for those who already believe in spiritual phenomena. We talk with a professor and other credible experts in the field of parapsychology. As a producer, I try to research my subjects the best I can to ensure program credibility.  The program is also different from other shows by lightly examining actual photos and video's of paranormal activity taken by the featured interviewees and their stories behind them. Of course that angle may have been done before, but not lately. We also include some reenactments. That purpose is to help the viewer go along with the story as it is told and helps to put a little more support behind it, which can help the viewer understand their stories. Reenactments along with actual photo's gives the audience a little more to go on when making their conclusions.
In this show, we show reveal information about a well known haunted location in south Texas (railroad tracks) as hoax. That, I can honestly say has never been exposed.  So it's not all about supporting every ghost story. By being a little balanced, we believe the audience will find the program credible and unbiased.

-What do you hope the viewer will get out of watching this program?

I hope they learn something about the craft of ghost hunting. I hope viewers find that the show was not what they thought it would be. In other words, hopefully this program will reinforce ghost believers. And hopefully cause the non-believers to think, either way. I hope the video will help maintain viewers’ interest in the subject of paranormal activity.

-Do you believe in Ghosts?

I do believe in Ghosts, although I have never experienced anything close to what these folks say in the program.  I have read and listened to scores of stories from people who have no gain from lying about their encounters. It amazes me how so many stories at different times match up! Like many people, I am very skeptical when learning about a new case of a haunted phenomenon. I do not believe in every story I've heard, but the feeling and awe in some people's eyes about what they saw or experienced seems very real. I believe in promoting organized and structured ghost research. I am convinced that there is some kind of residual energy out there. Whether or not it is spiritual related or not doesn't matter to me. But there is something causing these very apparent activities that go bump in the dark. Not everyone can be crazy.

- Jimmy Maddox