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 17 Collections and/or Records:

25th anniversary film / [Brigham Young University], 1978

 Sub-Series — Reel 42: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634432]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 28
Scope and Contents

Film is dated 1978, and was produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio. One film reel is included in the collection.

Dates: 1978

A teacher is born / [Brigham Young University] ; [director, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1955

 Sub-Series — Reel 35: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634366]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 22
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1955, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Sunday School board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was designed as a training video for Sunday School teachers by showing the training needed to teach well.The collection has one copy on a film reel.

Dates: 1955

David Kent Jacobs collection of films, 1955-1988

 Series
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to motion picture films and projects created by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The materials include film reels, many of which are original cuts of films such as "The First Vision," "Uncle Ben," and "Curtain Time, U.S.A." The films typically have Mormon themes, dealing with Church history or providing religious instruction. The film reels are in 16 mm prints. Dated 1961 to 1983.

Dates: 1955-1988

David Kent Jacobs DVD copies of collection of films, 1960-1982

 Series
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to motion picture films and projects created by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The materials include film reels, many of which are original cuts of films such as "The First Vision," "Uncle Ben," and "Curtain Time, U.S.A." The films typically have Mormon themes, dealing with Church history or providing religious instruction. The materials are DVD copies of the film reels that are in 16 mm prints. Dated 1960 to 1982.

Dates: 1960-1982

Follow me / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel Whitaker] ; [screenplay, Scott Whitaker], 1983

 Sub-Series — Reel 36: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634374]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1962, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. It depicts a Christian family who learns to love others. The collection has one copy of on a film reel made in 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

In one blinding moment / [Brigham Young University] ; [director, producer, writer, David Kent Jacobs], approximately 1970s

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Film was released in the 1970s, and was written, directed, and produced by David Kent Jacobs. The film is based on the true story of Max Ellerbusch who, after the loss of his son, is able to find forgiveness amidst his grief and pain. Two film reels are included in the collection.

Dates: approximately 1970s

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

Look to God and live, approximately 1972

 Sub-Series — Reel 47: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634481]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 33
Scope and Contents

Film was released in the early the early 1970s, and was produced by Brigham Young University Production Studio. The collection contains one copy on a film reel.

Dates: approximately 1972

Loser weepers / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1965

 Sub-Series — Reel 31: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634325]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1965, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The film argues the importance for youth to finish high school. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965