Guide to the
Veronica Mars production files PA Mss 143
Collection processed and arranged by Hannah Garibaldi, 2018. Finding aid prepared by Hannah Garibaldi and Zachary Liebhaber,
2018.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
special@library.ucsb.edu
2018 October 23
Title:
Veronica Mars production files
Identifier/Call Number: PA Mss 143
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
13 linear feet
(11 cartons, 1 document box, 1 flat oversize box)
Date (inclusive): circa 2004-2007
Abstract: This collection includes materials from the television series
Veronica Mars. It contains production documents from each episode, administrative and financial records from the series, a banner taken
from the set, as well as audiovisual media utilized during the series' production.
Physical Location: A portion of the collection is located at the Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF).
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. A portion of the collection is stored offsite. Advance notice is required for retrieval.
Audiovisual materials have not been processed and are not available for research at this time.
Use Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item],
Veronica Mars production files, PA Mss 143. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California,
Santa Barbara.
Historical Note
The television series
Veronica Mars ran for three seasons in the United States, from September 22, 2004 until May 22, 2007. The first two seasons aired on the
United Paramount Network (UPN), and the final one screened on the newly established CW Television Network (CW). Based on
an untitled teen detective novel by Rob Thomas (author of such novels as
Rats Saw God and
Slave Day), the titled hero of the series, Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), served as a young private investigator fighting crime in this
weekly noir-esque mystery series. As scholars Rhonda V. Wilcox and Sue Turnbull note,
Veronica Mars is "supposedly teen television," yet "friendship, family, loyalty and rape, murder, corrupt law officials, and gangs, whether
bikers or 09ers – all are part of the mixture of honor and darkness, heroism and social cynicism, that is
Veronica Mars" (3). This unusual mixture of themes, combined with the show's undaunted consideration of complex issues like race, class,
gender, and sexual orientation, resulted in positive critical attention during the first two seasons. Ratings waned and the
CW opted to cancel the series after its third season, but persistent
Veronica Mars fans successfully backed a 2013 Kickstarter campaign for a cinematic sequel. The film was released in 2014 and, as of this
collection's publication, a
Veronica Mars revival is currently being planned through the online streaming website Hulu.
Hibberd, James. "
Veronica Mars Revival Starring Kristen Bell Is in the Works at Hulu."
Entertainment Weekly. August, 21, 2018. Accessed September 18, 2018. https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/21/veronica-mars-hulu/.
Wilcox, Rhonda V. and Sue Turnbull. "Introduction. Canonical Veronica:
Veronica Mars and Vintage Television." In
Investigating Veronica Mars: Essays on the Teen Detective Series, edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox and Sue Turnbull, 1-22. Jefferson: McFarland and Company, 2011.
Scope and Content
Veronica Mars materials are largely comprised of and organized by documentation related to specific episodes of the series. Each episode
of the first three seasons of
Veronica Mars, as well as a season 4 presentation, is accounted for in this collection, with each record containing information about the
shooting, budgeting, casting, and other details about the episode's production. Though the bulk of the collection consists
of these reports and other administrative and financial documents pertaining to the series in general, handwritten production
notes, a Neptune High School banner from the series, and audiovisual materials, including inserts, playbacks, and producers
cuts are included.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into the following series: Production files, circa 2004-2007, and Artifacts, circa 2004- 2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Veronica Mars (Television program) -- Archives
Television -- Production and direction
Women private investigators -- California -- Drama
Criminal behavior -- California -- Drama
Detective and mystery television programs
Television programs
Administrative records
Audiovisual materials
Banners
Financial records
Notes (documents)
Production files
circa 2004-2007
Scope and Content
The production documents for
Veronica Mars are either organized episodically or are administrative in nature. Both episode and administrative records differ in the
degree of detail present and the amount of subjects covered in their respective files. While the administrative materials
reveal a diverse set of data about the overarching components of the series as a whole or a single season of
Veronica Mars, the files from specific episodes are much more formulaic. Most episode records include: calendars, crew lists, budgets,
shooting schedules, hot costs, production reports, call sheets, locations, cast and extra information, day out of days (DOD),
one liners, scripts, and other miscellaneous production notes. The miscellaneous production notes available for each episode
differ in content, but in general they may contain correspondence and memos regarding promotions and publicity, post-production,
reshoots or inserts, as well as news updates from the production, additional schedules, articles, staff resumes, production
stills, estimates, producer cuts, and/or invoices.
Arrangement
This series is organized into five sub-series. One sub-series contains general administrative materials from
Veronica Mars. The other sub-series are each devoted to one of the seasons of the show, including the fourth season which never was produced.
Eeach of these sub-series contains records from every episode of that particular season.
Administrative documents
circa 2004-2007
box 1, folder 1-30
Veronica Mars series first year documents
circa 2004 February-November
Scope and Content
This file includes folders devoted to the first year of
Veronica Mars' production, including preliminary financial documents, a calendar, production contacts, production memos, and budgets. Additional
materials within the file contain information about the production office, Director's Guild Association (DGA), International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), extras, animals, the art department, set construction, set dressing, property,
product placement, camera, rawstock, electric, grip, transportation, sound, costume, makeup and hair, translight, locations,
catering, housing, cell compensation, payroll, insurance, and purchase orders.
box 1, folder 31
Veronica Mars series cast
circa 2004 June-August
Scope and Content
This file contains cast information from the first season of
Veronica Mars, with cast lists from the first episode of the series, travel information, headshots, and a contract between Kristen Bell
and Stu Segall Productions.
box 1, folder 32-72
Veronica Mars pilot
circa 2004 January-June
Scope and Content
Within this file, there are folders devoted to various aspects of the
Veronica Mars pilot's production, the contents of which include the following sections: production notes, contact lists, calendar, production
memos, production office, crew resumes, budget, one liner, script order, shooting schedule, call sheets, script, cast day
out of days, cast list, stunts, extras, picture vehicles, art department, set dressing, property, costume department, animals,
camera, rawstock, lighting, grip and dolly, sound, transportation, makeup and hair, locations, catering, 24 FR playback, insurance,
confidential cast list, hotel and per diem, clearances, product placement, payroll service, International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Employees (IATSE), and post picture.
box 1, folder 73-82
Veronica Mars pilot show wrap
circa 2004 April
Scope and Content
Contents of this file include details about the pilot show production wrap, with information about: production contacts, rental
agreements and statements, CDs, cast contracts, locations, signage, props, set dressing, and wardrobe. Also contained in the
file is a printed movie poster and a room key for Veronica's bedroom.
box 1, folder 83-103
Veronica Mars cast contracts season 1
circa 2004 July-2005 March
Scope and Content
This file contains cast contracts from the first season of
Veronica Mars, from the first episode until the last (episode 21).
box 2, folder 1-6
Veronica Mars series pattern budgets first year
circa 2004 March-October
Scope and Content
This pattern budgets file includes folders with budget notes and details about
Veronica Mars' in/out comparisons, prep push, "movie magic," and series budgets.
box 2, folder 7-12
Veronica Mars amortization budgets first year
circa 2004 March-December
Scope and Content
This file contains information about
Veronica Mars amortization (amort) budgets during the first year, specifically financial records for alt amort, prep, holiday, location,
and production wrap.
box 2, folder 13-37
Veronica Mars season 2
circa 2004-2005
Scope and Content
This file includes production details from the second season of
Veronica Mars, divided into the following sections: production memos and crew lists, budgets, casting, Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), extras, picture vehicles, animals, special effects, art department, set construction,
property, camera, rawstock, electric, grip, transportation, sound, 24 FR playback, costumes, locations, catering, payroll,
insurance, and other miscellaneous documents.
box 2, folder 38-53
Veronica Mars amortization budgets season 2
circa 2004-2005
Scope and Content
The file contains amortization (amort) budgetary records pertaining to
Veronica Mars prep, hiatus, location, alt amort, series, season 1, crew start, housing per diem, kit and car, payroll, cast, hotels, set
construction, vendor deals, crew deals, and other miscellaneous amort financial documents.
box 2, folder 54-61
Veronica Mars pattern and amortization budgets season 2
circa 2004-2005
Scope and Content
In addition to the other files devoted to
Veronica Mars season 2 budgets, this file has both pattern and amortization (amort) finacial reports. It is divided into the following
sections: episode department budgets, pattern, alt amort, prep amort, amort, location amort, wrap amort, and hiatus amort.
box 2, folder 62-88, box 3, folder 1-9
Veronica Mars season 3
circa 2006-2007
Scope and Content
This file consists of documents related to the third season of
Veronica Mars and is divided into the following sections: Panavision agreements, miscellaneous, schedules, production memos, stage, parking,
crew payments, writers, Warner Brothers, The CW, Payroll, comp/kits, Director's Guild Association (DGA), International Alliance
of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), IATSE other, casting, cast, set construction, translight, set dressing, props, product
placement, art department, set operations, electric, costume, camera, sound, 24 FR playback, insurance, transportation, picture
vehicles, video effects, locations, hotels, and catering.
box 3, folder 10-20
Veronica Mars amortization budgets season 3
circa 2006-2007
Scope and Content
This file consists of amortization (amort) budgetary documents from season 3 of
Veronica Mars with the following sections: calendar and budgets, series, payroll, house per diem (PD) kit, cell phone, crew start, alt
amort, prep amort, alt amort, location amort, and hiatus amort.
box 5, folder 63-68
Veronica Mars year 1 wrap reports
circa 2004 December-2005 April
Scope and Content
This file is comprised of various wrap reports from the first year of
Veronica Mars, specifically including: crew lists, wrap memos, financial reports, department estimates, location and rental details, as
well as a miscellaneous articles about the first season.
box 8, folder 68-74
Veronica Mars wrap season 2
circa 2006 May
Scope and Content
This file contains season wrap information from the second year of
Veronica Mars' production, including: damage reports, rental return lists, budgets, hot costs, production reports, raw stock, and wrap
party details.
box 11, folder 37
Veronica Mars summary costs
circa 2006 September 20-2007 March 8
Scope and Content
This file contains the summary cost report from 2006 through 2007 for
Veronica Mars.
box 11, folder 48-50
Veronica Mars handwritten notes
circa 2004-2007
Scope and Content
This file contains notepads pertaining to
Veronica Mars, filled with handwritten details regarding the series' production. The author of this notation writings is likely Neil Lundell.
box 11, folder 51
Veronica Mars miscellaneous stills
circa 2004-2007
Scope and Content
This file includes a fake
Time magazine cover photo, as well as a "Neptune Adult Night School" advertisment and a "Neptune Swingers" website screenshot.
box 12
Veronica Mars call sheets and production reports
circa 2004-2007
Scope and Content
This file contains call sheets and production reports from the
Veronica Mars pilot, as well as daily production totals from years 1-3, as well as production reports from years 1-3.
Veronica Mars season 1
2004-2005
box 3, folder 21-31
Episode 01 "Credit Where Credit's Due"
circa 2004 July-August
box 3, folder 32-40
Episode 02 "Meet John Smith"
circa 2004 August-September
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous information, this file also includes details from the second unit shoot schedules.
box 3, folder 41-50
Episode 03 "The Wrath of Con"
circa 2004 August-October
Scope and Content
In addition to the standard production documents related to each episode for
Veronica Mars, this file also includes pilot re-shoot notes, as well as post-production correspondence and ratings data.
box 3, folder 51-59
Episode 04 "You Think You Know Somebody"
circa 2004 August-September
Scope and Content
This file also includes second unit shotshoot information from episodes two and three of the season.
box 3, folder 60-67
Episode 05 "Return of the Kane"
circa 2004 September
Scope and Content
Aside from the usual miscellaneous production notes, there are also preliminary call sheets (separate from the standard folder
of call sheets) in this file.
box 3, folder 68-75
Episode 06 "The Girl Next Door"
circa 2004 August-October
box 3, folder 76-84
Episode 07 "Like a Virgin"
circa 2004 August-October
box 4, folder 1-10
Episode 08 "Drinking the Kool-Aid"
circa 2004 October-November
Scope and Content
In addition to the standard production documents for each episode in this collection, this file also includes documents related
to the cover set board.
box 4, folder 11-19
Episode 09 "Silence of the Lamb"
circa 2004 October-November
box 4, folder 20-28
Episode 10 "An Echols Family Christmas"
circa 2004 October-November
Scope and Content
Besides the standard general miscellaneous production documents, this file also contains information about materials needed
for the "Rancho Santa Fe" party scene and details about a snow machine.
box 4, folder 29-36
Episode 11 "Clash of the Tritons"
circa 2004 November-December
box 4, folder 37-46
Episode 12 "Lord of the Bling"
circa 2004 October-December
box 4, folder 47-55
Episode 13 "Mars vs. Mars"
circa 2004 October-December
box 4, folder 56-64
Episode 14 "The Russian Bride Returns"
circa 2004 October-2005 January
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also had correspondence regarding the selection of a
Catahoula Leopard dog for a role in the series.
box 4, folder 65-73
Episode 15 "Betty and Veronica"
circa 2005 January
box 5, folder 1-9
Episode 16 "Kanes and Abel's"
circa 2005 January-February
box 5, folder 10-18
Episode 17 "Weapons of Class Destruction"
circa 2004 October-2005 February
box 5, folder 19-28
Episode 18 "Hot Dogs"
circa 2005 February
box 5, folder 29-37
Episode 19 "Tit for Tad"
circa 2005 February-March
box 5, folder 38-47
Episode 20 "A Trip to the Dentist"
circa 2005 February-March
box 5, folder 48-62
Episode 21 "Leave It to Beaver"
circa 2005 February-March
Scope and Content
Because this is the season finale of
Veronica Mars, there are additional folders within this file with documents related to the second unit production, including: the second
budget, second camera, second schedule, as well as the second lite and grip.
Veronica Mars season 2
2005-2006
box 5, folder 69-78
Episode 201 "Urine Trouble"
circa 2005 July 25-August 3
box 6, folder 1-10
Episode 202 "Driver Ed"
circa 2005 August 4-15
box 6, folder 11-20
Episode 203 "Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang"
circa 2005 August 16-25
box 6, folder 21-30
Episode 204 "Green-Eyed Monster"
circa 2005 August 26-September 7
Scope and Content
In addition to the standard miscellaneous production notes, this file also contains an electric department schedule.
box 6, folder 31-39
Episode 205 "Blast from the Past"
circa 2005 September 8-19
Scope and Content
Aside from the general miscellaneous production details in this file, it also contains invoices and documents from Faders
Video and Metrophonic.
box 6, folder 40-49
Episode 206 "Rat Saw God"
circa 2005 September 20-29
box 6, folder 50-58
Episode 207 "Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner"
circa 2005 September 30-October 11
Scope and Content
As well as the general miscellaneous documents, there is also a list of voice overs in this file.
box 6, folder 59-67
Episode 208 "Ahoy, Mateys!"
circa 2005 October 12-21
box 7, folder 1-9
Episode 209 "My Mother, The Fiend"
circa 2005 October 24-November 2
box 7, folder 10-19
Episode 210 "One Angry Veronica"
circa 2005 November 3-11
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous correspondence, this file also contains a shot chart for the episode.
box 7, folder 20-29
Episode 211 "Donut Run"
circa 2005 November 14-23
box 7, folder 30-38
Episode 212 "Rashard & Wallace go to White Castle"
circa 2005 November 28-December 7
box 7, folder 39-47
Episode 213 "Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough"
circa 2005 December 8-16
box 7, folder 48-56
Episode 214 "Versatile Toppings"
circa 2006 January 3-12
box 7, folder 57-65
Episode 215 "The Quick and the Wed"
circa 2006 January 13-24
Scope and Content
In addition to the standard miscellaneous production correspondence in this file, there is also a sheet of lyrics for Cheap
Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" and a list of pictures needed for the episode's props.
box 8, folder 1-9
Episode 216 "The Rapes of Graff"
circa 2006 January 25-February 3
Scope and Content
Aside from the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also contains a description of daily production elements
and lists of prop photos for the episode.
box 8, folder 10-19
Episode 217 "Plan B"
circa 2006 February 6-15
box 8, folder 20-29
Episode 218 "I Am God"
circa 2006 February 16-27
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also has a second unit call sheet, cast details about
Paula Marshall, deal memos for Brandon Mastrippolito (director of photography), yearbook real name releases (for photographs
in set dressings and props), as well as additional photography blue pages from the script.
box 8, folder 30-38
Episode 219 "Nevermind the Buttocks"
circa 2006 February 28-March 9
Scope and Content
As well as the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also contains a separate call sheet from the episode and
photo requests for the episode.
box 8, folder 39-47
Episode 220 "Look Who's Stalking"
circa 2006 March 10-21
Scope and Content
Additional miscellaneous production notes include a list of photos needed for the episode.
box 8, folder 48-56
Episode 221 "Happy Go Lucky"
circa 2006 March 22-31
box 8, folder 57-67
Episode 222 "Not Pictured"
circa 2006 April 3-13
Veronica Mars season 3
2006-2007
box 9, folder 1-10
Episode 301 "Welcome Wagon"
circa 2006 July 19-28
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous production notes in this file, there is also correspondence from the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to Neil Lundell, and a document outlining the preliminary credits for the episode.
box 9, folder 11-20
Episode 302 "My Big Fat Greek Rush Week"
circa 2006 July 31-August 9
box 9, folder 21-30
Episode 303 "Wichita Linebacker"
circa 2006 August 10-21
Scope and Content
Aside from the usual miscellaneous production notes, this file also contains image stills from several scenes of episodes
301 and 302 of the season.
box 9, folder 31-39
Episode 304 "Charlie Don't Surf"
circa 2006 August 22-31
Scope and Content
In combination with general production notes, this file also includes a photo gallery schedule and photo releases for the
episode.
box 9, folder 40-48
Episode 305 "President Evil"
circa 2006 September 1-13
box 9, folder 49-58
Episode 306 "Hi, Infidelity"
circa 2006 September 14-25
Scope and Content
This file also contains a copy of the storyboards created for a scene in the episode.
box 9, folder 59-67
Episode 307 "Of Vice and Men"
circa 2006 September 26-October 4
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also includes extra call sheets from the episode.
box 9, folder 68-76
Episode 308 "Lord of the Phi's"
circa 2006 October 5-16
Scope and Content
This file also contains details for the reshoots of a scene in episode 305, as well as a copy of the television ratings for
2006 October 10.
box 10, folder 1-9
Episode 309 "Spit and Eggs"
circa 2006 October 17-26
box 10, folder 10-18
Episode 310 "Show Me the Monkey"
circa 2006 October 27-November 7
Scope and Content
In addition to the general miscellaneous production notes, this file also includes ratings information for 2006 November 7,
as well as a summary document that also compares the percentage of viewers who watch
Veronica Mars and
Gilmore Girls.
box 10, folder 19-28
Episode 311 "Poughkeepsie, Tramps and Thieves"
circa 2006 November 9-17
Scope and Content
This file also includes a broadcast standards acceptability report for episode 310, as well as a ratings report for 2006 November
14.
box 10, folder 29-37
Episode 312 "There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill"
circa 2006 November 20-December 1
box 10, folder 38-46
Episode 313 "Postgame Mortem"
circa 2006 December 4-13
Scope and Content
As well as the usual miscellaneous production notes, this file also includes a list of locations to be found for episode 313.
box 10, folder 47-56
Episode 314 "Mars, Bars"
circa 2006 December 14-2007 January 9
box 10, folder 57-65
Episode 315 "Papa's Cabin"
circa 2007 January 10-19
box 10, folder 66-74
Episode 316 "Un-American Graffiti"
circa 2007 January 22-31
box 11, folder 1-9
Episode 317 "Debasement Tapes"
circa 2007 February 1-12
box 11, folder 10-18
Episode 318 "I Know What You'll Do Next Summer"
circa 2007 February 13-22
box 11, folder 19-27
Episode 319 "Weevils Wobble But They Don't Go Down"
circa 2007 February 23-March 5
box 11, folder 28-36
Episode 320 "The Bitch Is Back"
circa 2007 March 6-16
Veronica Mars season 4
circa 2007
box 11, folder 38-47
Veronica Mars season 4 presentation
circa 2007 March 19-21
Scope and Content
Although season 4 of
Veronica Mars never came to fruition, this file is comprised of the standard episode-based materials seen in the other production files.
It contains: crew lists, budgets, hot costs, call sheets, production reports, the script, one liner, cast details, and day
out of days information. Additional miscellaneous production notes include a printed email about the season 4 mini presentation
and copies of internet forums regarding
Veronica Mars.
Artifacts
circa 2004-2007
flat-oversize 13
Neptune High School banner
circa 2004-2007
Physical Description: This is the banner for Neptune High School, as seen in
Veronica Mars. It is black and slightly faded with green, white, and yellow accents. There is an image of a pirate in the center and it
is surrounded by the phrase "Neptune Pirates."
Physical Description: The flag is 35 inches x 57 inches.