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Top Value Television papers
PFA.MSS.008
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Table of contents
Description
Correspondence, scripts, budgets, production notes, videotape logs, publications, clippings, artwork, publicity ephemera,
scrapbooks. TVTV produced independent television shows that challenged established broadcast media models from1972-1979 in
San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The collection consists of materials generated in the production of the group's
shows, papers related to the operation of TVTV Inc., original artwork and publicity materials created by and for TVTV, as
well as a self-published booklet and articles written by and about TVTV and its members. Finally, the collection includes
similar materials created by TVTV members for productions outside of TVTV. Productions are referenced with all capitalized
letters -- e.g., THE WORLD'S LARGEST TV STUDIO (1972).
Background
Top Value Television (TVTV) was founded in 1972 by Michael Shamberg, Megan Williams, and Allen Rucker (with a handful of associated
artists) as a guerrilla video collective based in San Francisco, California. The group developed from ties to San Francisco
Bay Area and New York City arts collectives such as Ant Farm (of which TVTV co-founders Hudson Marquez, Chip Lord, Curtis
Schreier, and Doug Michels were members), Videofreex, and Raindance (of which Shamberg was a member). Independent producers
such as Wendy Apple and Paul Goldsmith provided essential technical skills. The group was influential in bridging the gap
between 1970s counterculture and broadcast television.
Extent
4 Cartons, 7 Containers
7.5 linear feet
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, University of California, Berkeley. Literary
rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact
the Head of the Pacific Film Archive Library.
Availability
The collection is open for research.