In 2011, a freelance photographer alerted Exec Producer Thomas J. Colbert to the real name of 1971 hijacker “D.B. Cooper.” That led to a cold case team’s worldwide hunt for Robert W. Rackstraw, which was aired by History Channel in 2016. In 2022, viewers saw the dramatic conclusion in a four-part series on Netflix.  

The loyal cameraman is among hundreds of local journalists across America who have long trusted Colbert’s Industry R&D to develop and market their best breaking articles and TV news tips to the worldwide media, entertainment industry, OTT and theatrical platforms, corporate clients and government training programs.

“Just a clean group of reporters. Everything is above board.” — Susan Zirinsky, former CBS News President

Since 1993, Industry R&D has also been managing the sources’ private bank of nearly 10,000 true stories, searchable by more than 100 keyword codes (like MED-medical, COF-change of fortune, MYS-mystery, HEA-heartwarming, REC-recovery and LVT-love triangle). For more on this exclusive pipeline, see “The Gem Hunter” magazine article on the homepage.

More than two dozen of these true tales have reached the big/small screens, streamers and publishing, 9 to Colbert’s direct credit.*  They are:

“D.B. Cooper” (Part 2) – Robert W. Rackstraw Story, Fulwell 73/Netflix; 4-hour doc uploaded 2022; tipped in 2011*

Wedding Sting” – Lacey Brown Story, Paramount Pictures; 2017 script order;  Scherick & Associates/ABC; 1993 TV-pilot script order; tipped in 1990

“D.B. Cooper” (Part 1) – Robert W. Rackstraw Story, LMNO Ent./History Channel; 4-hour documentary aired 2016; tipped in 2011*

“The Last Master Outlaw” – Robert W. Rackstraw Story, Jacaranda Roots Publishing;  2016 Co-Authored Book release; 2021 Second Edition; 3 National Awards for True Crime; tipped in 2011*

“Deep” – Jack Ballentine Story, eOne Entertainment/HBO; 2013 Series Pilot Script Order; tipped in 2009

 “The Vow” – Carpenters Family Story, Spyglass Ent./Screen Gems; 2012 Feature, 2002 Book release; tipped in 1996*

 “The Unexpected Patriot” – Shannen Rossmiller Story, St. Martin’s Press; 2011 Book release; tipped in 2004*

“Catch Her if You Can” – Esther Reed Story, Braun Ent. Group/Lifetime; 2012 Script Order; tipped in 2007

“Inside the DEA” – Heidi Herrera/Green Ice Story, AuthorHouse Pub; 2006 Book release; tipped in 1993

“Snapped” – Kristin Rossum Story, Jupiter Ent./Oxygen Network; 2004 Doc Series Episode; tipped in 2000

“Date with Darkness” – Andrew Luster Story, Larry Thompson Org.; Lifetime Movie aired 2003; tipped in 2000

“Snow Angels” – Aniak Fire Dept. Story, PME/Lions Gate Ent.; 2002 Series Pilot Option; tipped in 2001

“Princess & Marine” – Meriam Al-Khalifa Story, Columbia TriStar-PME; NBC Movie aired 2001; tipped 2000*

“One Angry Man” – Jim Thomas Story, Angel Ark-Vision/Showtime; 2001 Movie Script order; tipped in 1998

“Bully” – Bobby Kent Story, Muse Films/Lions Gate Films; 1998 book release; 2001 Feature; tipped in 1993

“Never Let Her Go” – Anne M. Fahey Story, Greenwald-Lieberman; CBS Mini-Series aired 2001; tipped 1997

“Boys Don’t Cry” – Teena Brandon Story, Hart-Sharp Ent./Killer Films; 1999 Feature; tipped in 1994

“Lethal Vows” – Dorothy Boyer Story, Braun Ent. Group; CBS Movie aired 1999; tipped in 1993

“Judgment Day” – Ellie Nesler Story, Jaffe/Braunstein; USA Network aired 1999; tipped in 1993

“Fatal Transcript” – Wade Burnett & Susie Mowbray Story; 2001 Forensic Files Doc Series Episode; Producers Ent. Group/ABC; 1998 Movie Script rewrite; tipped 1993*

“A Father For Brittany” – Keith Lussier Story, Grossbart/Barnett; CBS Movie aired 1998; tipped in 1994

“Lies He Told” – James Douglas Pou Story, Jaffe/Braunstein Prods.; ABC Movie aired 1997; tipped in 1992

“Forbidden Love” – Steve & Kim Williams/Marines Story, Avnet-Kernerl; ABC 1996 Script order; tipped 1995

“Fly Away Home” – Bill Lishman Story, Sandollar-Carol Baum Prods/Sony; 1996 Feature; tipped 1993

“Angel Flight Down” – Samantha Bahr Story, Carla Singer Prods.; ABC Movie aired 1996; tipped 1994

“For the Future” – The Irvine Fertility Scandal, Lavin Entertainment; Lifetime Movie aired 1996; tipped 1995

“Seduced By Madness” – Diane Borchardt Story, Pike Prods.; NBC Mini-Series aired 1996; tipped 1994

“No One Could Protect Her” – Denise S-Calis Story, Rothstein/Hearst; ABC Movie aired 1996; tipped 1993

“Baby Brokers” – Debbie Freeman Story, Dalrymple/Columbia TV; NBC Movie aired 1994; tipped in 1990*

“Separated By Murder” – Peggy Wilson/Betty Lowe Story, LTO; CBS Movie aired 1994; tipped 1993

“Juice – The OJ Simpson Tragedy” – Murder, Arrest & Trial, Globe Books; 1994 Book release; tipped 6/13/94*

“Snowbound” – Stolpa Family Story, Jaffe/Braunstein Prods.; CBS Movie aired 1994; tipped 1993

        *Entertainment Projects developed by Colbert’s producer-partners.