Brigham Young University. Motion Picture Production

In 1953 BYU set up Motion Picture Productions. The Motion Picture Productions mainly made films for the Church. In 1991 the Church moved the studio from BYU supervision to the Church. Directors of Motion Picture Productions included Wetzel O. Whitaker (1953-1974), Jesse E. Stay (1974-1983), and Peter N. Johnson (1983-1991).

Variant names

Brigham Young University. Motion Picture Studio

Brigham Young University. Department of Motion Picture Productions

Description

Established: 1953

Abolished: 1991

Location: Provo, Utah (1953-1991)

Functions

Motion Picture Production had the main function of producing documentary, historical, and training films for use of the Church 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.

Assets and Administrative Structure

Originally Motion Picture Production reported directly to the president of the university. In 1959, the director of Motion Picture Production began reporting to the director of Auxiliary Services. In 1960, Auxiliary Services became the Vice-President of Auxiliary Services. The director of Motion Picture Production 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.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1953-1959)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Auxiliary Services (1959-1966)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Communication Services (1966-1972)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Instructional Services Division (1972-1974)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Division of Instructional Production Services (1974-1976)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1976-1991)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1953-1954: p. 13 (Wetzel O. Whitaker, director)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1956-1957: p. 72 (produce documentary, historical, and training films for use in the Church and in schools)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1959-1960: p. 6 (under auxiliary services)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1966-1968: p. 466 (under communications service)

Brigham Young University The First Hundred Years, 1975: v. 3 p. 628 (Motion Picture Production reported to President Wilkinson)

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1992: p. 965 (1974 Jesse E. Stay director, 1983 Peter N. Johnson director)

Pioneering with Film: A Brief History of Church and Brigham Young University Films, 1983: p. 13 (1953 first year of operation)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00410

Creator: ANG