Skip to main content

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 8 Collections and/or Records:

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

How near to the angels / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; screen story, Scott Whitaker, 1956

 Sub-Series — Reel 48: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634499]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 34
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1956, and was produced by Brigham Young University for the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dramatizes the problems faced by a young Mormon woman in choosing a husband, with emphasis on temple marriage. Depicts problem of peer pressure and the positive influence of a caring adviser. The collection contains one copy on a film reel. Dated 1985.

Dates: 1956

Latter-day Saint leaders, past and present / Deseret Film Productions ; [produced by Frank S. Wise], 1970

 Sub-Series — Reel 24: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634259]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1948 and rereleased in 1986. The film was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film focuses on short biographies of church leaders and members during the organization of the church up until 1948. The collection has one copy of the film on a film reel. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1970

Ministering through home teaching : concentrating home teaching efforts where they are needed most , 1988

 Sub-Series — Reel 38: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634390]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 25
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1988, and was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping increase the effectiveness of the home teaching program. The collection contains one print. Dated 1988.

Dates: 1988

Morality for youth / [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], 1982

 Sub-Series — Reel 23: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634242]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1982, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story focuses on an analogy between a rafting trip and the dangers of sexual immorality. The collection has one copy of the film on a film reel. Dated 1982.

Dates: 1982

Motion Picture Studio collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8651
Scope and Contents

Contains 91 film and audio reels produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio. These reels include footage and/or recordings from Geneva Steel from 1955-72 and various church productions and events. Dated after 1953.

Dates: after 1953

Motion Picture Studio collection for Portrait of a Prophet

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: UA 5414
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs for the production of the film Portrait of a Prophet from the Motion Picture Studio. Includes images from the life of David O. McKay. Materials date from between 1873 and 1967.

Dates: approximately 1873-1967

Photograph of BYU Motion Picture Studio staff

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232584067]
Identifier: MSS 8655
Scope and Contents

Materials include a photograph of the staff of the BYU Motion Picture Studio. There is also a black-and-white photocopy with every individual's name written on it.

Dates: 1980