The collection contains original film elements as well as video dubs of two Frank O'Hara plays that Ken Coupland produced and directed. The films use a unique cinematic technique that he called "tantamation" which combines animation and storyboarding.

Ken Coupland was a Canadian-born writer, artist and graphic designer. He grew up in Toronto and moved to England with his family. He came to San Francisco in the 1970s and was employed in various illustration and design jobs. He is best known for a video program, For Openers, on the art of film titles that he co-produced. He also produced and directed animated Super-8 films using a unique cinematic technique that he called "tantamation" that combined animation and storyboarding. In addition, he edited the San Francisco Sentinel, a gay weekly. He died of complications from AIDS on January 21, 2005.

2.0 boxes (8 VHS videotapes, 2 U-matic videotapes, 1 DVD, 4 Super-8 reels)

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The DVD and the VHS videotapes are available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. The U-matic videotapes and Super-8 film reels are retained for permanent storage but the library does not have the equipment to make them accessible for viewing.