This collection has been divided into 6 series: BIOGRAPHICAL, FILMS, TELEVISION, ADVERTISMENTS, BOOKS, and THEATER.
The BIOGRAPHICAL series includes paper documents such as personal correspondence, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act correspondence and government agency files on Dan Bessie, and posters for Alvah Bessie.
The FILMS series is divided into “Produced” and “Unproduced.” The “Produced”series includes educational films that Bessie made for his companies The Learning Garden and Shire Films. The “Unproduced” series contains details about films Dan Bessie planned to make. This series contains paper documents, such as scripts, production files, storyboards, and distribution materials; copies of the films on 16 mm and video formats; audio recordings on 1/4-inch magnetic tape and cassettes; and some production photographs.
The TELEVISION series is divided into “Produced” and “Unproduced” shows. Paper documents include outlines, proposals, scripts, research, correspondence, agreements, preproduction materials, budgets, and production materials. The “Produced” shows consists of pilots that were aired, but not picked up. Also see the FILM series for Dan Bessie’s films that aired on television.
The ADVERTISEMENTS series includes storyboards, scripts, character sketches, and film and video sample reels for television advertisements created by Dan Bessie. The folders are arranged alphabetically.
The BOOKS series contains proposals, manuscript drafts, correspondence, artwork, and research for books written or illustrated by Dan Bessie. This series also includes some paper documents for unpublished works.
The THEATER series contains scripts, notes, correspondence, program, flyers, and clippings for theatrical plays written by, produced by, or reviewed by Dan Bessie.
