Buzz Feitshans papers

Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
333 S La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Published February 2023


Descriptive Summary

Abstract: The collection contains production material for more than a dozen films either produced by Feitshans or for films in which he served in a supervisory production capacity.
Collector: Feitshans, Buzz
Dates: 1972-1997
Dates: 1978-1996
Collection number: 402
Collection Size: 11.7 linear ft. of papers
Repository: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Available by appointment only.

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

Buzz Feitshans papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Buzz Feitshans, 1997

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The Buzz Feitshans papers span the years 1972-1997 (bulk 1978-1996) and encompass 11.7 linear feet. The collection consists of production files, for produced and unproduced films, and subject files. The production material includes budgets and cost statements, call sheets, cast lists and casting information, contracts and deal memos, daily production reports, scripts and script material, technical production information, schedules, and storyboards. Titles represented include AN ALAN SMITHEE FILM (1998), AMANDA (1996), DEEPSTAR SIX (1989), DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (1995), DILLINGER (1973), EVITA (1996), FIRST BLOOD (1982), HARDCORE (1979), JUDGE DREDD (1995), NIXON (1995), RAMBO III (1988), RED DAWN (1984), RENAISSANCE MAN (1994), THE SCARLET LETTER (1995), TOMBSTONE (1993), TOTAL RECALL (1990), UNCOMMON VALOR (1983), and UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (1992). RAMBO III includes extensive material on helicopters and helicopter crews, locations, and research. TOMBSTONE includes press clippings and publicity material. TOTAL RECALL includes extensive crew and union information for location work in Mexico, as well as material on makeup. Photocopies of storyboards are are present for FIRST BLOOD, JUDGE DREDD, RAMBO III, RED DAWN, TOMBSTONE, and TOTAL RECALL. Among the unproduced material are files on AMANDA, BROADWAY BRAWLER, CRUSADE, and budget and production material for SMOKE AND MIRRORS. The subject files are comprised of a domestic production manual, submissions, and location information for Carolco Pictures, box office information for Intercom, and a photocopy of a 1984 Writers Screen Credit Directory.

Biography

Fred “Buzz” Feitshans (b. 1937), born Fredrick Rollins Feitshans III, is the third generation in his family to be involved in the entertainment industry. He is the grandson of silent film actress Ora Carew, son of film editor Fred R. Feitshans Jr., and father of cinematographer Fred Feitshans IV. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1962 with a degree in education, Buzz Feitshans went to work for the American Broadcasting Company as a film editor. In 1964, he joined American International Pictures as an editor and rose to become head of the editorial department, a position he held for ten years. Feithshans made his debut as a producer at American International Pictures (AIP) in 1973 with DILLINGER, a film written and directed by John Milius. Feitshans and Milius formed A-Team Productions that same year and produced BIG WEDNESDAY (1978), HARDCORE (1979), and lastly 1941 (1979), after which they dissolved the company. However, they continued to collaborate on such films as CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982), UNCOMMON VALOR (1983), RED DAWN (1984), and EXTREME PREJUDICE (1987). During this period Feitshans also produced FIRST BLOOD (1982). In 1988 Feitshans became executive vice president of production and a member of the board of directors for Carolco Pictures. He supervised production on such action films as RAMBO III (1988) starring Sylvester Stallone, TOTAL RECALL (1990) starring Arnold Schwarzenneger, and UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (1992) starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Feitshans joined Cinergi Productions in 1992, serving as executive producer for MEDICINE MAN (1992), followed by TOMBSTONE (1993), RENAISSANCE MAN (1994), COLOR OF NIGHT (1994), DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (1995), JUDGE DREDD (1995), THE SCARLET LETTER (1995), NIXON (1995), EVITA (1996), SHADOW CONSPIRACY (1997), and AN ALMAN SMITHEE FILM: BURN HOLLYWOOD BURN (1997). He retired from film production in 1997.

Arrangement of the Collection

1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Subject files

Indexing terms

Producers

Additional collection guides