Brigham Young University. Motion Picture Studio
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 21 Collections and/or Records:
Johnny Lingo / a Brigham Young University production ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; [screenplay, Orma W. Wallengren], 1969
Film was released in 1969, and was produced by Brigham Young University for the Sunday School program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the importance of helping others realize their self-worth through the story is of a sea-trader named Johnny Lingo and his persuit of Mohanna as his wife. The collection contains one copy on a film reel. Dated 1969.
Latter-day Saint leaders, past and present / Deseret Film Productions ; [produced by Frank S. Wise], 1970
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.
Look to God and live, approximately 1972
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.
Loser weepers / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1965
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.
Ministering through home teaching : concentrating home teaching efforts where they are needed most , 1988
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.
Morality for youth / [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], 1982
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.
Restoration of the Priesthood / [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] ; [producer, Jesse E. Stay] ; [director, Peter Johnson], 1982
The long road back / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1965
Film was released in 1965, and was produced by Brigham Young University as a gospel instructional film for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the long road back from immorality. The collection contains one copy on a film reel.
The mailbox / a Brigham Young University production ; producer-director, David K. Jacobs ; screenplay, David K. Jacobs, 1977-1979
Film was released in 1977 by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department, and tells the story of an elderly lady who walks to her mailbox everyday hoping to hear from her family, who all live far away. The collection includes two copies of the film, one in videocassete form and the other on a film reel. Dated 1977-1979.
The search for truth / a Brigham Young University production ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; written by Scott Whitaker and Richard Neil Evans, 1961
Film was released in 1962, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. It depicts the relationship between science and religion. It focuses on the story of Henry Eyring (father of President Henry B. Eyring) and his role as member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as a scientist. The film's purpose was to show the compatibility of religion and science. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1961.