Guide to the Motion picture press kit collection, 1968-2004 Motion picture press kit C0107

Guide to the Motion picture press kit collection, 1968-2004

Motion picture press kit
C0107


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives

Special Collections & Archives
Fenwick Library (2FL)
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
USA
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Email: speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections

2012 By George Mason University Libraries. All rights reserved.

Finding aid prepared by Eron Ackerman, Kristin Korfitzen

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Identification
C0107
Title
Motion picture press kit collection 1968-2004
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/mopicpresskits.html
Quantity
10 linear feet, (16 boxes)
Creator
Margaret Yocom
Creator
Peter C. Brunette, Jr.
Language
English
Abstract
This collection contains hundreds of motion picture press kits donated by George Mason University English professors Peter Brunette, Jr. and Margaret R. Yocom. The press kits promote foreign as well as domestic films, mostly from the past two decades, and range in format from glossy, full-color booklets to packets printed out in black and white and stapled together.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Motion picture press kit collection must be obtained from Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Motion picture press kit collection, C0107, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Peter C. Brunette and Margaret Yocom in 1999.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Additional processing and arrangement completed by Kristen Korfitzen in 2012.


Historical Information

Press kits are packets of printed material distributed to promote the release of a forthcoming film. They often include photographs along with text promoting the film and providing information on actors, directors, and producers. Press kits can range from glossy, full-color booklets to loose assemblages of photographs, slides, and stapled packets of information. Since distribution of expensive, full-color press kits is often limited to industry leaders (critics, promoters, etc.), press kits can be quite collectable, particularly for Hollywood blockbusters that have stood the test of time and successful independent features. This collection of motion picture press kits was assembled by Margaret Yocom, a George Mason University professor of folklore who has written film reviews for academic journals, and Peter C. Brunette, a GMU professor of English and film studies who served on the International Critics' Jury at the Bangkok International Film Festival.

Scope and Content

This collection contains hundreds of motion picture press kits donated by George Mason University English professors Peter Brunette, Jr. and Margaret R. Yocom. The press kits range in format from glossy, full-color booklets to packets printed out in black and white and stapled together. Several press kits also include promotional photographs and color slides. The collection is divided into three series, grouping press kits, correspondence and other papers related to the film industry, and oversized promotional material together.

Series 1 contains several hundred press kits for a variety of films, including major studio and independent releases. The press kits promote foreign as well as domestic films from the past two decades. The professionally printed materials include press kits for "Bandit Queen," "Japon," "Europa," "Dancer in the Dark," "Brother's Keeper," "The Piano," "Antz," "Todo Sobre Mi Madre," "The English Patient," "Eternity and a Day," "The Road to Perdition," "Muriel's Wedding," and "The Straight Story." Some press kits include handwritten notes and reviews, along with articles published in major newspapers and trade magazines about the films.

Series 2 contains miscellaneous documents pertaining to the movie industry. Included is "A Guide to Self Distribution", detailing the challenges faced by independent movie producers. Also included in this series are mailings from movie studios and schedules of upcoming releases.

Series 3 contains oversized promotional film material. Some material is accompanied by its printed press kit. The oversized promotional items in this series include a promotional package for the film "Barb Wire" with a copy of the original comic book, and an original souvenir booklet produced for the release of "2001: A Space Odyssey".

Arrangement

Series 1: Films, 1988-2004 (Box 1-15) Series 2: Miscellaneous, 1988-2004 (Box 15) Series 3: Oversize, 1968-2000 (Box 16)

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives also holds many performing arts collection, some which contain information on films and film promotion, particularly film posters from East Germany.

Index Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Contents List

Series 1: Films
1988-2004

This series contains hundreds of press kits for both major studio and independently released films. Several press kits were printed for film festivals and contain promotional photographs and slides as well as printed information. Press kits range from professionally produced booklets, to CD-ROM format, to simple print outs.

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Series 2: Miscellaneous
1988-2004
Scope and Content

This series includes printed material related to the film industry. Included is a guide to movie distribution, a booklet announcing the release of several silent films, and a list of upcoming new releases.

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Series 3: Oversize
1968-2000
Scope and Content

This series contains large format press kits and promotional material. The material in this series includes collectible and one of a kind promotional packages.

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