Janelle Balnicke Collection
Finding aid created by Writers Guild Foundation Archive staff using RecordEXPRESS
Writers Guild Foundation Archive
2022
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, California 90048
(323) 782-4680
hswett@wgfoundation.org
https://www.wgfoundation.org/archive/
Title: Janelle Balnicke Collection
Dates: 1980-1995
Collection Number: WGF-MS-060
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1.25 linear feet (1 box)
Repository:
Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Los Angeles, California 90048
Abstract: The Janelle Balnicke Collection, 1980-1995, consists primarily of research, script and production materials from the 1980
documentary series Cosmos and the 1987 television documentary The Hero’s Journey: The World of Joseph Campbell.
Language of Material: English
Open for research, available by appointment only.
The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
[Identification of item]. Janelle Balnicke Collection. Collection Number: WGF-MS-060. Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Donated by Janelle Balnicke in 2005.
Biography/Administrative History
Janelle Balnicke worked in the entertainment industry on film and TV documentaries a writer, director, and producer.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection contains scripts from all 13 episodes of the 1980 documentary series Cosmos as well as magazines, periodicals
and continuity Polaroid photographs featuring host Carl Sagan. The collection also contains material from The Hero’s Journey:
The World of Joseph Campbell. Produced in 1987, it seeks to distill the life and teachings of America’s best known comparative
mythologist. Balnicke served as writer, producer and director on the project and the collection contains a raw interview transcript
with Campbell, notes on Campbell’s teachings and mythological concepts, synopses, applications for funding, handwritten notes,
post production reports, multiple drafts of the script as well as press clippings and film festival programs. The collection
also contains two folders with production documents and scripts from the 1995 documentary series U.S. Customs Classified and
one folder with a proposal and detailed outline for an unproduced 10-episode documentary series entitled The Messengers about
the development of human communication.
Documentary films
Campbell, Joseph, 1904-1987
Cosmos (Television program)