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Brigham Young University. Motion Picture Studio

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1953 - 1990

Administrative History

The Motion Picture Studio (1953-1990) was a support unit at Brigham Young University. It produced documentary, historical, and training films for use of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in schools.

Within the Motion Picture Production was the Film Development Advisory Committee. That committee's functions were to review and select subjects for motion pictures, to review motion picture proposals to consider whether they should be approved for production, to review motion picture scripts and make recommendations for changes if necessary, to review marketing studies made on proposed motion pictures, to review budgets for proposed motion pictures, and to evaluate the overall marketing and advertising programs for educational motion pictures.

Originally the Motion Picture Studio reported directly to the president of the university. In 1959, the director of the Motion Picture Studio began reporting to the director of Auxiliary Services. In 1960, Auxiliary Services became the Vice-President of Auxiliary Services. The director of the Motion Picture Studio reported to this Vice-President until 1965 when the Division of Communications was created. Thereafter the director reported to the director of Communication Services, the Instructional Services Division, and the Division of Instructional Production Services.

In 1991 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved the studio from Brigham Young University supervision to the Church. Directors of the Motion Picture Studio included Wetzel O. Whitaker (1953-1974), Jesse E. Stay (1974-1983), and Peter N. Johnson (1983-1990).

Citation:
The Miracle of birth [VR] c1987: credit frame (Brigham Young University, Motion Picture Studio)

Phone call to the Studio, 5/7/97 (management of the Studio transferred to the LDS Church in 1990; official name changed to LDS Motion Picture Studio)

Ensign, Nov. 1987: p. 101 (BYU Motion Picture Studio)

BYU Organizational History Project, via WWW, Apr. 15, 2013 (BYU Motion Picture Production; BYU Motion Picture Studio; est. 1953; produced documentary, historical and training films for the LDS church and schools; included a Film Development Advisory committee, responsible for review and selection of subjects for films, approved productions, reviewed scripts and made recommendations for changes, reviewed marketing studies and budgets and evaluated marketing and advertising; studio originally reported to the university president; 1959, reported to the Auxiliary Services; reported to vice president until 1965 when the Division of Communications was created; then reported to director of Communication Services/Instructional Services Division/Division of Instructional Production Services; in 1991 the LDS church took over the studio; directors of the studio included Wetzel O. Whitaker (1953-1974), Jesse E. Stay (1974-1983), and Peter N. Johnson (1983-1991))

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

David Kent Jacobs film collection reference materials, 1964-1983

 Series
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to the production, shooting, editing, and release of motion pictures produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department and had the involvement of Jacobs. Materials include scripts, storyboards, shooting schedules, and crew lists. Financial records for some films are also included, detailing pay for actors, sets, costumes, and equipment. For several of the films programs and audience reaction and comments at the premiere of the film are included. Dated...
Dates: 1964-1983

David Kent Jacobs materials on Ministering through Home Teaching, 1983

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains the script, as well as a pamphlet designed by Church officials that highlights principles from the video that could be discussed in church meetings. Also includes a videocassette entitled Home Teaching Segments. Film was released in 1988, and was produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1983.

Dates: 1983

David Kent Jacobs materials on The Lost Manuscript, 1974

 Sub-Series — Carton 61: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233633301], Folder: 12
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains the script and production notes for The Lost Manuscript. Film was released in 1974, and was made by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The script includes the original text and the revisions of the script.

Dates: 1974

David Kent Jacobs materials on Uncle Ben , 1977-1978

 Sub-Series — Carton 61: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233633301], Folder: 1-4
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of the script, which was rewritten several times, including a version by Orson Scott Card. A list of cast and extras is also included, as well as a program for the premier at American Fork High School is included. Film was released in 1978, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. Copies of the various script revisions are included. The majority of the extras were from Brigham Young University. Dated 1977-1978.

Dates: 1977-1978

"How Rare a Possession" : a behind-the-scene look at the conversion of Vincenzo di Francesca and the LDS movie

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197224906203]
Identifier: UA 1163
Scope and Contents

Contains material related to the Motion Picture Studio Production of "How Rare a Possession: The Book of Mormon." Contains a script and correspondence about the production.

Dates: 1987

David Kent Jacobs collection on Mormon films

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to Jacobs' work for the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio. The Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio produced many of the early motion pictures for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many original cuts of films like The First Vision and Uncle Ben are on 16 mm film reels are included. Other film projects including the Performing Arts tour Curtain Time, U.S.A. and their original cuts are also included. DVD copies of some of the...
Dates: 1955-1988

A more perfect union : America becomes a nation

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231019867]
Identifier: MSS 6837
Scope and Contents

Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio's script for A More Perfect Union: America Becomes A Nation, revised in 1988. The movie, about the events surrounding the consitutional convention, was released in 1989. 123 pages, plus appendices.

Dates: 1988