Fred Sersen papers
Special Collections
Margaret Herrick Library
© 2015
Title: Fred Sersen papers
Date (inclusive): 1924-1956
Date (bulk): 1935-1949
Collection number: 411
Creator:
Sersen, Fred
Extent:
.4 linear foot of papers.
1.25 linear feet of photographs.
71 artworks.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Fred Sersen papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Leonard and Alice Maltin, 1998
Fred Sersen was a Czech-born visual effects artist and painter active in film from around 1918 to
1951. Born Ferdinand Metodej Sersen, he arrived in the U.S. in 1907 and had settled in Los Angeles by at
least 1920. He spent his entire career with 20th Century-Fox, starting as a scenic artist. He founded and
served as the head of Fox's special photographic effects department. Between 1939 and 1948, Sersen was
nominated eight times in the special effects category and received Academy Awards for THE RAINS CAME
(1939) and CRASH DIVE (1943).
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Fred Sersen papers span the years 1924-1956 (bulk 1935-1949) and encompass .4 linear feet of manuscripts, 1.25 linear
feet of photographs and 71 artworks. There are production design drawings for nine films released between 1935 and 1949, along
with some production material and photographs. The photograph series consists of motion picture production photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Subject files;
3. Photographs; 4. Graphic Arts
Sersen, Fred , 1890-1962--Archives.
visual effects