Zoetrope Studios

N.p. N.p., 1976-1989. A small archive of approximately 75 leaves, largely regarding Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Studios, belonging to Coppola's long-time producer Fred Roos, 1976-1989.

The majority of the archive dates from the early 1980s, with a substantial amount of material dedicated to the acquisition of General Service Studios in Hollywood for the short-lived Zoetrope Studios production facilities in 1980 (sold in 1984), as well as copies of letters to Marlon Brando, Gary Marshall, and Roddy McDowall, an autograph letter signed from Roddy McDowall to Coppola, various press announcements, including one for the 1981 film "One from the Heart," and one for the 1982 film "Hammett," as well as various other business documents and proposals.

The archive includes:

An autograph letter signed from Roddy McDowall, on McDowall's letterhead, dated March 27, 1976, genially inquiring about working with Coppola and his newly formed company (Coppola Cinema 7), with a Xerographic copy of Roo's agreeable response to McDowall, stapled to the top left corner of McDowall's letter, on Coppola Cinema Seven letterhead, dated April 10, 1976, written on behalf of Coppola, who was working in the Philippines on "Apocalypse Now" at the time.

A substantial press kit announcing the formation of Zoetrope Studios in 1980 and the acquisition of General Service Studios in Hollywood. Housed in an illustrated two-color folder, the press kit includes over 40 pages of press releases and includes a tour map of the studios and eight accompanying colored pages of the history of each stop on the tour, as well as a six page press release for the 1982 Wim Wender's film "Hammett," with two accompanying reference photographs, one of Wenders and one of star Frederic Forrest.

A four-page press release on "Electronic Cinema: The First Stage," the state-of-the-art production and editing system used in "One from the Heart," circa 1981.

A two-page "Proposal for Rolling Stone Issue Produced by Zoetrope Studios," circa 1981.

A Xerographic duplication of a typed letter signed from Coppola to Marlon Brando, circa 1981, cordially responding to a proposal about a Native American television series "The Other People, with the copied post-script annotation of "Come and visit us at the studio some more. Cheer us on."

Four pages of handwritten notes regarding current projects, in Roos' hand, and a draft of a letter to Lynda Clark of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), regarding recent "irregular and confusing" reports to the WGA as a result of the Story and Development Departments being dismantled because of financial difficulties, 1981.

A three page press release "Francis Coppola Starts Directing 'One from the Heart' for Zoetrope / First Film to Utilize Electronic Cinema Technique," dated February 4, 1981.

A typed letter signed from film academic Syd Field to Roos, on Field's letterhead, dated May 1, 1981, inquiring about getting a copy of the script for "Apocalypse Now" for use as a teaching aid, with ink and marker annotations from Coppola and Roos in the marginalia declining, as Coppola "does not want any half-right script out there with his name on it."

A copy of a typed letter signed from Coppola to Gary Marshall, dated May 5, 1981, graciously thanking Marshall for a loan to Zoetrope "that got us through a difficult payroll week on 'One from the Heart'."

Three large glossy bi-fold flyers for the sale of Zoetrope Studios, with a map of the studios in the interior spread, circa 1983.

And various other business documentation including: A "Payroll Change Request" for Casting Director Jennifer Shull, 1980. A Sony Corporation invoice for the repair of a video tape player, 12/14/81. A tri-fold brochure for "Coppola: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola and Zoetrope Studios" at the UCLA Film Archives, circa 1983. "Scripts in Development," dated January 4, 1989, and a "Zoetrope Development: Agenda for Meeting 9/11," circa 1989.

Documents, 8.5 x 11 inches. Near Fine overall, housed in two 14.75 x 9.5 generic folders, labeled "Proj. List inc. Old Zoetrope" and "ZS: Sale of the Studio."

Press Kit folder, 9 x 12 inches. Near Fine.

[Book #170462]