Tripod Captioned Films Collection 1984-2004 9 archival document boxes 15 paige boxes 2 additional archival boxes The Tripod Captioned Films Collection was given to Rochester Institute of Technology in 2011. Processed by Nicole Pease Project Archivist 2018 RIT Archives Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York 14623-0887 Finding Aid for the Tripod Captioned Films Collection, 1984-2004 Summary Information Title: Tripod Captioned Films collection Creator: Tripod Captioned Films Accession Number: 2011:088 Collection Number: RITDSA.0191 Date: 1984-2004 (inclusive); 1992-2002 (bulk) Extent: Approx. 22.75 linear feet Language: The materials in this collection are in English. Abstract: Tripod Captioned Films was a non-profit community outreach program of the Tripod school in Burbank, CA that provided open-captioned first-run feature films to hard of hearing and deaf consumers throughout the United States in the 1990s and 2000s. Repository: National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology Archives Administrative Information Conditions Governing Use: This collection is open to researchers. Conditions Governing Access: There are no restrictions on materials in this collection, however, some series contain notes regarding conditions governing access that provide more information about original location or storage of some materials. Custodial History: The Tripod Captioned Films collection was donated to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology in 2011. The papers were accessioned under ID 2011:088 and were received from Megan Williams in 21 boxes (along with materials related to the Tripod collection). Physical Location: RIT Archives, C. S. North, range 8 (shelves 346, 347, 349-353) Preferred citation for publication: Tripod Captioned Films Collection, RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive Processed by: Nicole Pease, April 2018, September 2018 Finding Aid by: Nicole Pease, October 2018 Controlled Access Terms Personal Names • Grasso, Mary Ann • Johnson, Patricia • Linke-Ellis, Nanci • Mauver, Tim • Shapiro, Joanne Corporate Names • Buena Vista Pictures Distribution [LOC] • New Line Cinema Corporation [LOC] • Tripod Captioned Films • Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation [LOC] 1 October 2018 • Paramount Pictures Corporation [LOC] Subjects • Closed-captioned films • Closed captioning [LOC] • Film distribution • Film bicycling • Film grosses • Films for the hearing impaired [LOC] • Hearing impaired [LOC] • Motion pictures – United States – Distribution [LOC] Historical Note Tripod Captioned Films was started in 1993 by Barbara Montan, the mother of a deaf son, and Nancy Linke-Ellis. Tripod Captioned Films was an offshoot of the Tripod school, a co- enrollment school for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children in conjunction with the Montessori Method. Originally, films were captioned and premiered as a fundraiser for the Tripod school, the first film being The Big Chill in 1983. By 2001, Tripod Captioned Films brought 48 first run feature films to theaters. Tripod Captioned Films aimed to include the deaf, hard of hearing, elderly, ESL (English as a second language), and adult literacy participants into the movie-going experience. Films were “bicycled” to theaters across the United States and in many cases Tripod Captioned Films partnered with local deaf groups to promote the film and share profits. Open captioned films included more than subtitles including song lyrics, visual icons for sound effects, and a full soundtrack. Films included box office hits Jurassic Park, Mission Impossible, Schindler’s List, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Tripod also produced their documentaries, one of which was Language Says It All. Produced in 1987, the film was nominated for best short documentary at the Academy Awards in 1988. The documentary explores the importance of communication for deaf children using sign language as expressed through the views of four families. Terms to Note “Bicycling” – The process of shipping one open-captioned print around the country to serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. LSIA/BTN – Language Says It All/Back to Normal (working title) was a short documentary produced in 1987 about communication with deaf children that was nominated for an Academy Award. It was followed by a sequel, Once Upon a Time. TCF – Tripod Captioned Films TRIPOD – Toward Rehabilitation Involvement by Parents of the Deaf, the name of which originated in 1969. Tripod is a school that co-enrolled hearing, deaf, and hard of hearing students. 2 October 2018 Collection Scope and Content Note The Tripod Captioned Films collection contains materials from 1984 through 2004 with the bulk of the materials dated between 1992 and 2002. Materials include correspondence, financial papers, legal papers, organizational documents, notes, clippings, printed materials, ephemera, and digital media. The Tripod Collection has been arranged into eight series, one of which have been divided into subseries. This collection is housed in 9 archival document boxes, 15 paige boxes, and two additional archival boxes. Materials in this collection are related to the management of Tripod Captioned Films, the distribution of films, production of films, and advertising including presence at conferences. Of special note are the letters of appreciation from Cindy Costner, a long-time supporter of the Tripod mission. These can be found in the folder titled “Appreciation Letters” (box 5, folder 9). Also of note is the folder containing materials related to the 60th Academy of Awards of which the film Language Says It All was nominated. Related Materials More information about Tripod and digital images of items relating to this collection can be found at https://www.rit.edu/ntid/radscc/tripod/, a website established as part of the Tripod legacy. Related materials can be found in the Tripod collection regarding the relationship and financial ties to the Tripod school. A list of films that are referenced by this collection are part of the Tripod collection can be found on the finding aid and related film inventory. Regular updates can also be found in the Tripod collection board meeting minutes. System of Arrangement Series I: Administration, 1992-2004 Subseries A: Committees, 1999-2002 Series II: Film Distribution, 1991-2003 Series III: Produced Films, 1984-1999 Series IV: Finances, 1984-2004 Series V: Advertising/Press, 1993-2001 Series VI: Conferences/Conventions, 1996-2002 Series VII: Realia, circa 1999 Series VIII: References, 1984-2000 3 October 2018 Content List Series I. Administration, 1992-2004 Scope and Content Note: This series contains administrative records, legal records, mission and objective statements, timelines, company descriptions, handbooks, employment records, correspondence, staff information, meeting minutes, calendars, storage logs, and speeches. The sample binder contains newsletters and company information. The Insight folder contains organizational documents, divestiture meeting minutes, and dissolution records. These materials document the administration of Tripod Captioned Films and descriptive information about the company. Note that this series also contains a few documents related to the Tripod school. Box 1 Folder 1 Administrative documents, 1992-2003 Folder 2 Organization documents, 2002-2004 Folder 3 TCF/Insight grant agreement, 2002-2003 Folder 4 Mission and objectives, 1993, 2002 Folder 5 Timelines, 2001 Folder 6 About TCF, 1994-1999 Folder 7 Handbooks, undated Folder 8 Sample TCF binder, 2000 Folder 9 Salary and timesheet documents, 1998-2001 Folder 10 Post office orders, 1999 Folder 11 Stationary and business cards, 1997-1999 Folder 12 Speeches/Introductions, 1996 Box 2 Folder 1 Calendars, 1995-1998 Folder 2 Storage log sheets, 1998 Subseries B. Committees, 1999-2002 Scope and Content Note: This subseries contains correspondence, agendas, meeting minutes, member listings and profile sheets, goals and objectives, bylaws, grant agreements, articles of incorporation, and notes. The folder with Divestiture Committee materials contains by-laws and articles. These materials document the committees related to Tripod Captioned Films including the Advisory Board and Divestiture Committee. Box 2 Folder 3 Advisory Board materials and agendas, 1999-2001 Folder 4 Advisory board correspondence by member, 1999 Folder 5 Patron Advisory Board lists and correspondence, circa 2001 Folder 6 Divestiture Committee materials, 2001-2002 Series II. Film Distribution, 1991-2003 Scope and Content Note: This series contains film and theater lists, reports, schedules, correspondence, calendars, shipping forms, financial records (including income, expense, and profit reports, payment charts, film remittance statements, tax documents, and copied 4 October 2018 checks), articles, surveys, newsletters, legal agreements, schedules, directories, proposals, fliers, show schedules, and notes. These materials document the “bicycling” or distribution of captioned films throughout the United States. Box 3 Folder 1 Film Lists, 1994-1998, undated Folder 2 Theater lists, 2001-2002 Folder 3 Theater reports, 2000-2002 Folder 4 Film slates, 2001-2002 Folder 5 Film distribution lists and correspondence, 1997-1998 Folder 6 Film distribution procedures, 1999-2002 Folder 7 Calendars and bicycling information, 1991-1994 Folder 8 Local screenings, 1993, undated Folder 9 Captioning documents, circa 1993-1994 Folder 10 Movie surveys, 1993, undated Folder 11 Film distribution records by state, AK-CA, 1995-1997 Folder 12 Film