Collection 2011.114.Rc
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http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8k64mfn No online items Finding Aid for the "California's Gold" Collection 2011.114.r.c Finding aid prepared by Angel Diaz Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries Chapman University One University Drive Orange, CA, 92866 (714) 532 - 7711 [email protected] 10/09/2014 Finding Aid for the "California's 2011.114.r.c 1 Gold" Collection 2011.114.r.c Title: California's Gold collection Identifier/Call Number: 2011.114.r.c Contributing Institution: Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries Language of Material: English Physical Description: 347.25 Linear feet(7,329 A/V materials, 52 boxes, 2 framed portraits, 2 desks, 2 chairs, 2 digital video cameras, 1 Beta tape player, 1 MiniDV tape player, 1 monitor, 1 flagpole) Date (inclusive): 1971-2012 Location note: B11B, Leatherby Libraries Abstract: Huell Howser was a broadcast journalist and television host most widely known for his television series, California's Gold, which ran on various California public television stations from 1991 through 2012. Originally from Tennessee, Howser arrived in Los Angeles in 1981, began working at KCET in 1985, and developed a travelog series that featured interesting people, businesses, and stories from across California. The collection consists of audiovisual materials, production research files, professional correspondence, press and publicity materials, photographs, ephemera and realia from the Huell Howser Production offices. Preferred Citation note [identify item and box], California's Gold collection (2011.114.r.c.), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Gift of Huell Howser Productions, 2012. Conditions Governing Use note There are restrictions on the use of this material, please contact the archivist for the details. This collection contains previously copyrighted material and it is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. Conditions Governing Access note This collection is open for research. Full episode air tapes have been digitized. A digital access copy is available for viewing on site or at www.huellhowserarchives.com Biographical/Historical note Huell Burnley Howser (1945-2013) was an American broadcast journalist best known for California's Gold, his travel show based in Los Angeles at KCET and aired on California public broadcast stations. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Gallatin, Tennessee, Howser received a BA in Education from the University of Tennessee, and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, as an aircraft mechanic. In 1971, Howser began working at WSM-TV in Nashville, Tennessee where he developed his interviewing style. He served as their Feature Director and Reporter of Special Projects and appeared live nightly on the six o’clock news. His assignments included the country music scene in Nashville, politics, human interest stories, and general news. Howser also produced television series focused on human interest stories such as Happy Features and The Happy World of Huell Howser. Howser also worked in New York before moving to Los Angeles in 1981 to work as a reporter for KCBS-TV. He served as a weekend host and correspondent for the show, Entertainment Tonight from 1981 to 1983. In 1985 he joined the public broadcast system affiliate KCET as a producer for the show Videolog. At KCET, Howser created California's Gold in 1991 and Visiting...with Huell Howser in 1993. Along with cameraman, Luis Fuerte, Howser sought untapped stories throughout the state. By 2000, Howser's shows aired six nights a week and were watched by nearly one million viewers a week on KCET alone. In addition to local stations, his programs could be viewed on PBS stations in Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Tennesse, countless public access channels, and even the Armed Forces radio and Television Service. By 2012, Howser had produced nearly 1,500 programs chronicling the people and places of California. He announced his retirement on November 28, 2012. Howser passed away on January 7, 2013 at the age of 67 at his Palm Springs home. Arrangement note Creator's original order has been retained, whenever possible, and arranged into the following series: Series 1, Audio/Video Tapes Series 2, Production Files Series 3, Production Ideas Series 4, Correspondence, Organizations Finding Aid for the "California's 2011.114.r.c 2 Gold" Collection 2011.114.r.c Series 5, Correspondence, Fan Mail Series 6, Appearances and Press Series 7, Photographs and Graphic Materials Series 8, Realia Custodial History note In 2011, Huell Howser began talks with Chapman University regarding the donation of copies of the on-air episodes of his various PBS television series, including California's Gold, this led to his donation of the memorabilia he had collected from fans and his travels as well as the 1800 volume research library that his production staff had accrued, to the Leatherby Libraries. During the discussions regarding this donation Howser decided to donate the tape raw footage that he had shot for his various California television series, his professional papers as well as a small personal book collection to the library. Collection materials were donated over a period of time, from 2012-2014. Scope and Contents note The collection is comprised largely of audiovisual materials created from 1985 through 2012 for various series, including California's Gold, Visiting with Huell Howser, California's Missions, Road Trip, and others. There are 7,758 raw footage, b-roll materials, edit master tapes, and broadcast air tapes. The media is mainly video, however there are CD's and DVD's throughout the collection. Another large component of the collection are the production files, which were created and maintained by the Huell Howser Productions team. A file was created for each episode, which includes contact information for people and places featured in the show, production checklists, editing notes, episode synopses, research materials, correspondence, and photographs. Lastly, objects, electronics, and furniture from the Huell Howser production office also help make up the collection. Related Archival Materials note Huell Howser Papers, 2012.123.r.c. California's Gold Memorial Collection, 2013.011.r.c The Huell Howser Califonia's Gold Book Collection, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives Subjects and Indexing Terms Howser, Huell, (Burnley), 1945-2013 California -- History. Television personalities--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources. Television personalities--United States. Television programs -- United States. Finding Aid for the "California's 2011.114.r.c 3 Gold" Collection 2011.114.r.c Series 1, Audiovisual material Series 11971-2012 California's Gold Subseries 1.011991-2012 Series 1, Audiovisual material Series 1 1971-2012 Language of Material: English Physical Description: 293.0 Linear feet7,758 Betacam SP tapes, Digital Betacam tapes, 1-inch video reels, Mini-DV Beta, VHS, CD's, DVD's, and audio cassettes. Scope and Contents note This series contains the air broadcast master recordings, edit master tapes, raw footage tapes, and b-roll materials on miscellaneous formats shot, collected, and edited by Huell Howser Productions. Video formats include Betacam SP, Digital Betacam, 1-inch reels, Mini Digital Video Cassettes, and VHS. The series also includes some audio cassette tapes, CD' and DVD's. The broadcast master recordings, or "Air" tapes, for each episode are comprised of approximately 1,061 Digital Betacam tapes. All "Air" tapes have closed captioning. There are approximately 1,309 edit masters on Betacam SP and Digital Betacam tapes, some of which may have closed captioning. Contact archivist for a complete inventory list. Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note Majority of materials in this series are Betacam SP and Digital Beta tapes, but also include MiniDV and VHS tapes. A beta tape player is required to view tapes. Episode air, or broadcast quality, tapes have been digitized. A digital access copy is available for viewing on site or at www.huellhowserarchives.com Arrangement note In this finding aid, tapes are arranged by series and subsequently organized into three categories: raw and b-roll, edit master, and air master. The programs are arranged by original show number, primarily chronological in order. California's Gold Subseries 1.01 1991-2012 Language of Material: English Scope and Contents note This subseries contains video and some audio materials for the episodes of the television series, California's Gold. The show ran from 1991 to 2012 and featured locations from across the state of California. Episodes 101-149 are California's Gold Specials, and were produced and broadcast throughout the life of the show. They were considered "specials" and had a total running time of approximately 60 minutes. All other episodes series (200s, 300s, etc.) were broadcast throughout a single year and are approximately 30 minutes long. Raw and b-roll tapes Language of Material: English Scope and Contents note 1922 video tapes. Majority of tapes are Betacam SP and Digital Betacam, but also include VHS, MiniDV, and audio cassette tapes. Edit master tapes Language of Material: English Scope and Contents note 550 Betacam SP and Digital Betacam tapes, as well as 175 one-inch tape reels. Air master tapes Language of Material: English Scope and Contents note 344 Digital Betacam tapes. Finding Aid for the "California's 2011.114.r.c 4 Gold" Collection 2011.114.r.c Series 1, Audiovisual material Series 11971-2012 Visiting with Huell Howser Subseries 1.021987-2011 Visiting with Huell Howser Subseries 1.02 1987-2011 Language of Material: English Scope and Contents note This subseries contains video and some audio materials for the episodes of the television series, Visiting with Huell Howser. The show ran from 1993 to 2011 and featured locations from across greater Los Angeles. Majority of episodes are approximately 30 minutes long.