Alturas Films Records

Series 1. Produced films

American Encounters (National Museum of American History, 1993)

Arrangement

Script material is listed first in chronological order, followed by other files in alphabetical order.

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains material on several short films about New Mexico produced for the American Encounters exhibition at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.

Box 1, Folder 1

"Indian Resistance" - notes, outlines, and script pages 1990-1991

Box 1, Folder 2

"Hispanic Resistance" - scripts and script notes 1991-1992

Box 1, Folder 3

"Voices" - scripts and outlines 1992

Box 1, Folder 4

Scripts and treatments 1993

Scope and Contents

Also includes budgets and shooting schedule.

Box 1, Folder 5

Scripts and script notes 1993-1994

Box 1, Folder 6

Bills to pay 1994

Box 1, Folder 7

Budgets 1993-1994

Box 1, Folder 8

Camera reports 1993

Box 1, Folder 9

Correspondence 1992-1994

Scope and Contents

Includes: script notes; correspondence regarding budgets and post-production costs; program notes, in Spanish, for Si, Se Puede! for a screening at the Smithsonian, along with critiques of the Spanish translation.

Box 1, Folder 10

Interview transcripts 1991

Box 1, Folder 11

Ledgers 1992

Scope and Contents

Contains records of expenditures for the entire American Encounters exhibition at the Smithsonian.

Box 1, Folder 12

New Mexico articles 1974-1991

Scope and Contents

Includes: "The Tierra Baldias: Community Property and Public Lands in 16th Century Castile" by David Vassberg; "Las Gorras Blancas of San Miguel County, 1889-1890" by Robert J. Rosenbaum; "The Dance of Montezuma" by Adrian Trevino and Barbara Gilles.

Box 1, Folder 13

New Mexico historical photographs [photocopies] 1992

Scope and Contents

Also includes photocopies of 19th-century surveyor reports.

Box 1, Folder 14

New Mexico pictures and photos [photocopies] 1991-1992

Box 1, Folder 15

Notes and ephemera 1987-1994

Scope and Contents

Includes: handwritten letter and autographed poster from Jose Gonzalez (Puerto Rican musician); Eight Northern Indian Pueblos 1993 Official Visitors Guide; 1987 Directory of La Parroquia de San Antonio de Rio Pecos; "Churches: Symbols of Community" newsletters from the New Mexico Community Foundation; 9th Annual Rails 'n' Trails Days program; Native Seeds/SEARCH catalog and newsletter; Arizona Highways magazine, June 1990; color photocopies of children's drawings.

Box 1, Folder 16

Per diem receipts [blank] undated

Box 1, Folder 17

Receipts 1993-1994

Box 1, Folder 18

Releases 1993

Scope and Contents

Contains signed permissions from individuals filmed for the project.

Box 1, Folder 19

Releases - Penasco Elementary School 1993

Scope and Contents

Contains signed permissions for the students at this New Mexico school.

Box 1, Folder 20

Smithsonian correspondence 1991-1992

Scope and Contents

Includes: script notes; memos about a proposed "Hispanic Resistance" film; inventory of the New Mexico State Records Center and Archive film collection; essay "Reies Lopez Tijerina and New Mexican Land Reform" by Rudy Busto.

Box 1, Folders 21-22

Tape index and interview transcripts 1993

Box 1, Folder 23

Travel reports 1993

Box 1, Folder 24

"Voices" - transcripts 1991

Scope and Contents

Contains transcripts of filmed interviews.

Elvia, the Fight for Land and Liberty (PBS, 1988)

Box 2, Folder 1

American Film Institute 1987-1988

Box 2, Folder 2

Budget undated

Box 2, Folder 3

Channel 4 1989

Scope and Contents

Includes license agreement with the British network.

Box 2, Folder 4

Clippings 1987-1988

Language of Material: Clippings are in English, Spanish, and French.

Scope and Contents

Includes material on Elvia Alvarado and Honduras.

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence 1987-1988

Box 2, Folder 6

Editing undated

Box 2, Folder 7

Food First agreements 1987-1989

Scope and Contents

Contains agreements with The Institute for Food and Development Policy.

Box 2, Folder 8

French version 1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence with the Montreal organization Groupe de Travail sur le Honduras (Leslie Caron); French synopsis; it is unclear what involvement Leslie Caron has with this group.

Box 2, Folder 9

Global Exchange distribution 1989

Box 2, Folder 10

IDERA Films 1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence with the International Development Education Resources Association; distribution agreements; royalty statement.

Box 2, Folder 11

Latino Consortium 1988-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes agrrements with the Consortium and KCET.

Box 2, Folder 12

Miscellaneous 1988-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: book jacket for Don't Be Afraid Gringo by Elvia Alvarado; correspondence; receipts and invoices.

Box 2, Folder 13

Miscellaneous 1989-1992

Scope and Contents

Includes: list of winners and participants in San Francisco International Film Festival's Golden Gate Awards Competition, 1989; program for Democracy in Communication video festival, 1992; flyers.

Box 2, Folder 14

Publicity undated

Scope and Contents

Includes: press kits; posters; stills.

Box 2, Folder 15

Releases and contacts 1987-1988

Scope and Contents

Also includes: list of donors; agreements.

Box 2, Folder 16

Rodriguez, Laura 1987-1988

Language of Material: Letters are in English and Spanish.

Scope and Contents

Contains producer Laura Rodriguez's correspondence with various individuals; includes handwritten letter from and contract for composer Wendy Blackstone.

Box 2, Folders 17-18

Tape logs undated

Box 2, Folder 19

Family Court 1989

Language of Material: Material is in Spanish and English.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Includes a 5.25" floppy disk; special equipment will be required to view.

Scope and Contents

Contains material on a film contracted out to Alturas Films by the Judicial Council of Californis; includes correspondence; script drafts; script Se Van a Divorciar de Nosotros? by Tony Curiel and Catherine Rodriguez-Nieto; footage breakdown.

Box 2, Folder 20

Fight in the Fields (PBS, 1997) 2000

Scope and Contents

Contains Sundance Channel promotional cards.

Box 2, Folder 21

Go Chanting, Libre 1985-1986

Scope and Contents

Includes: Rick Tejada-Flores's contract to edit the film; correspondence; press release; credits; KCRB-TV schedule for March 1986.

Box 2, Folder 22

The Great Depression (PBS, 1993) 1992-1993

Biographical / Historical

The script was not used for the final program, but portions of it were used in the final episode, "Arsenal of Democracy," which was directed by Susan Bellows, who is listed here as associate producer.

Scope and Contents

Includes script "Fields of Despair... Cities of Hope!"; script notes; review.

Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint

Arrangement

Script material is listed first, with the remaining files listed in alphabetical order.

Box 2, Folder 23

Script drafts 1989

Scope and Contents

Also includes editing and music notes.

Box 2, Folder 24

Final script undated

Box 2, Folder 25

Clippings 1958-1988

Scope and Contents

Contains clippings about Jasper Johns, especially the 1988 exhibit "Jasper Johns Work Since 1974" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Box 2, Folder 26

Correspondence received 1974-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: handwritten letter from Jasper Johns; letter from Johns prompted by Robert Rauschenberg's concerns about an interview with Emile de Antonio; letter from Johns saying he didn't really like the film; letter from Hans Namuth declining Rick Tejada-Flores's offer; handwritten letter from composer Eddie Reyes; letter fom Richard Avedon saying he does not allow his photographs to be used on television; four letters from Emile de Antonio; handwritten note from Ge Gan-Ru; handwritten letter from Mary Young, a cousin of Johns', discussing Jasper's relationship with his grandfather and enclosing a 1974 copy of The Allendale County Citizen with a column of hers discussing her family.

Box 2, Folder 27

Correspondence sent 1988-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: letter to Richard Avedon; four letters to Robert Rauschenberg; two letters to Jasper Johns.

Box 2, Folder 28

Miscellaneous 1988

Scope and Contents

Contains: copy of a letter from Rick Tejada-Flores to Jasper Johns; photographs of apartment interiors, along with some notes about the suitability of them for filming.

Box 2, Folder 29

Music 1988-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: clippings and biographical information on John Cage, Ge Gan-Ru, and Margaret Leng Tan; poem "Reading John Cage" by Octavio Paz; mesostic poem "White on Blanco for O.P." by John Cage.

Box 2, Folder 30

Notes 1988

Scope and Contents

Includes: lists of films about Claes Oldenburg and Jasper Johns; contact lists.

Box 2, Folder 31

Other artists 1987-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: article on Frank Stella; gallery brochures; news release about the resignation of the curator of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; magazine ROCI (Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange) [in Russian].

Low 'n Slow, the Art of Lowriding (PBS, 1983)

Box 2, Folder 32

Script [annotated] undated

Language of Material: English and Spanish.

Scope and Contents

Also includes a storyboard.

Box 2, Folder 33

Script undated

Scope and Contents

Includes dialogue/narration script and Spanish translation.

Box 2, Folder 34

American Federation of Musicians contract 1982

Scope and Contents

Includes: "National Public Television Agreement" booklets; contract with Jorge Santana, et al.

Box 2, Folder 35

Corporation for Public Broadcasting contracts 1982

Scope and Contents

Contains agreements to produce a pilot for Tierra Incognita.

Box 2, Folder 36

CS Associates 1986

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence; distribution agreement; publicity flyer.

Box 2, Folder 37

Editing undated

Box 2, Folder 38

Film festivals and exhibitions 1984-1986

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence and entry information for a variety of film festivals; program for Long Beach Museum of Art exhibition "Documentary Video: Decades of Change."

Box 2, Folder 39

Financial 1982-1983

Box 2, Folders 40-41

Footage index undated

Scope and Contents

Also includes English and Spanish narration scripts.

Box 3, Folder 1

Music 1982-1984

Scope and Contents

Includes agreement with Jorge Santana to compose a song for the film.

Box 3, Folder 2

Notes undated

Box 3, Folder 3

PBS/NPR correspondence 1984

Scope and Contents

Includes material on bilingual broadcsats of the film.

Box 3, Folders 4-7

Periodicals 1978-1983

Scope and Contents

Includes: a variety of magazines about lowrider culture, particularly in the San Jose, CA area, including Low Rider, Teen Angels, Cruisin', and New Lowrider Bulletin; some flyers and posters for events; certificate of award presented to Rick Tejada-Flores by one of the publishers.

Box 3, Folder 8

Publicity undated

Scope and Contents

Includes: paste-ups; press kit; stills.

Box 3, Folder 9

Publicity 1984-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes: letters from Rick Tejada-Flores to film critics; press releases; ad copy; invitations to the San Jose premiere; San Francisco International Film Festival certificate of participation.

Box 3, Folder 10

Ratings and carriage 1984-1987

Scope and Contents

Includes: list of public television stations broadcasting the film; correspondence about Rivera in America.

Box 3, Folder 11

Releases 1982

Box 3, Folder 12

Transcript 1983

Box 3, Folder 13

Up in Smoke (Paramount, 1978) 1982

Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence regarding permission to use a clip from the Cheech and Chong film.

Nuestros Hijos

Arrangement

Script material is listed first in chronological order, followed by the remaining files in alphabetical order.

Scope and Contents

Contains material on a video program produced for the California Human Development Corporation on parenting and child abuse issues for Spanish-speaking migrant farmworkers.

Box 3, Folder 14

Script - treatments 1988

Box 3, Folder 15

Scripts 1988-1989

Language of Material: Scripts are in English and Spanish.

Box 3, Folder 16

Scripts 1989-1990

Scope and Contents

Also includes script notes from the Governor's offiice.

Box 3, Folder 17

AFTRA 1990

Scope and Contents

Includes invoices from actors.

Box 3, Folder 18

Budgets 1989-1991

Box 3, Folder 19

Contracts 1987-1990

Box 3, Folder 20

Correspondence 1987-1990

Scope and Contents

Includes script and editing notes.

Box 3, Folder 21

Invoices and receipts 1988-1990

Box 3, Folder 22

Proposal 1987

Scope and Contents

Includes: submission guidelines from the California Human Development Corporation; Alturas Films proposal; resumes.

Box 3, Folder 23

Releases 1990

Box 3, Folder 24

Research 1975-1987

Language of Material: Materials are in English and Spanish.

Scope and Contents

Includes brochures and articles on child abuse.

Box 6

Trainer's guide 1991

Scope and Contents

Includes drafts, proofs, and printed study guides.

Rivera in America

Box 3, Folder 25

Correspondence 1987-1988

Scope and Contents

Includes email with networks in England and Germany.

Box 3, Folder 26

Grey Advertising contracts 1990

Box 3, Folder 27

Si, Se Puede! 1993

Scope and Contents

Contains flyer and programs for Smithsonian event "Struggle for Justice: A Tribute to Cesar Chavez."

Series 2. Unproduced films

Box 3, Folder 28

Bolivia project 1984

General

This project seems entirely distinct from My Bolivia.

Scope and Contents

Include: correspondence with Frontline regarding a proposed film about the Bolivian debt crisis; clipping.

Box 3, Folder 29

Children's drama 1980-1983

Scope and Contents

Includes letters and research for a potential children's program for PBS.

Box 3, Folder 30

Culture Clash 1983-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes: information about the comedy troupe; AFI Independent Filmmaker application.

Box 3, Folder 31

Jose Razo: Harvard Homeboy 1987

Scope and Contents

Includes clippings and correspondence about a Chicano Harvard student who confessed to a series of armed robberies.

Killing Children Who Kill

Box 4, Folder 1

Corporation for Public Broadcasting - grant proposal undated

Box 4, Folder 2

Research 1987-1989

Scope and Contents

Also includes proposals.

Box 4, Folder 3

Research and correspondence 1980-1989

Box 4, Folder 4

Latin Laugh Tracks 1986-1987

Scope and Contents

Includes: proposals; information on Culture Clash, Marga Gomez and Monica Palacios.

Living Latin

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains material on a proposed series of documentary films for public television. Though the series as a whole was unrealized, these files contain some material on Low 'n Slow and Rivera in America, which would have been repurposed as episodes for the series.

Box 4, Folder 5

Corporation for Public Broadcasting 1980-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence; proposals; booklet "El otro lado: una guia para los indocumentados"; flyer "Conozca sus derechos!"

Box 4, Folder 6

Miscellaneous 1983-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes: proposals; clippings for Low 'n Slow; resumes.

Box 4, Folder 7

Series proposals 1982-1986

Box 4, Folder 8

MALDEF development film 1984

Scope and Contents

Includes: budget; public service announcement scripts.

Box 4, Folder 9

Man Ray 1988-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: clippings; proposal for an episode of American Masters.

The Night Visitor

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains information on a proposed adaptation of a story by B. Traven.

Box 4, Folder 10

Correspondence 1972-1984

Scope and Contents

Includes: correspondence with American Playhouse; copy of a letter to Edward James Olmos; synopsis; correspondence with Rosa Elena Lujan, widow of B. Traven; "The B. Traven Newsletter," vol. 1 nos. 1 and 2.

Box 4, Folder 11

Latin music circa 1978

Scope and Contents

Includes: list of musical acts in Los Angeles; clippings; story notes; letter from Robert M. Young.

Box 4, Folder 12

Stationery undated

Box 4, Folder 13

The Other Americas 1989

Scope and Contents

Includes proposal and brochure for a ten-part series to be produced by WGBH.

Ruben Blades: Salsa Prophet

Box 4, Folder 14

Clippings and photographs 1984-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes publicity material for Ruben Blades.

Box 4, Folder 15

Correspondence 1984-1985

Scope and Contents

Includes two letters from Ruben Blades, one handwritten.

Box 4, Folder 16

Grant applications 1984-1985

Box 4, Folder 17

Proposals 1984

Box 4, Folder 18

Salsa Roots 1982-1983

Scope and Contents

Includes notes and funding requests for a proposed 15-part documentary series.

Stories from Decoto

Arrangement

Script material is listed first, followed by other files in alphabetical order.

Box 4, Folder 19

Scripts undated

Box 4, Folder 20

Contacts 1979-1989

Scope and Contents

Includes: booklet "Rural Alameda County: A Bibliography Based on the Collection of the California State University, Hayward Library" by Ruth Jaeger; program for an event by Comision Honorifica Mexicana, Inc., Union City, CA.

Box 4, Folder 21

Festival 2000 1990

Scope and Contents

Includes: grant application; correspondence; collaborating artist statement from Roberto Bedoya; program for A Tribute to Gordon Parks; festival newsletter.

Box 4, Folder 22

ITVS grant application 1991

Box 4, Folder 23

ITVS grant application #2 1992

Box 4, Folder 24

Realize Your Energy 1988-1990

Scope and Contents

Includes information on a non-profit organization promoting advancement of people of color and the working class.

Box 4, Folder 25

Zellerbach Family Fund 1977-1990

Scope and Contents

Includes: grant application; photocopies of clippings on Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint, Rivera in America, and Low 'n Slow; Realize Your Energy tax documents; letter saying the grant had been approved.

Box 4, Folder 26

Tierra Incognita - proposals undated

Series 3. General files

Box 4, Folder 27

American Experience (PBS, 1988- ) 1986

Scope and Contents

Includes proposal from WGBH, WNET, and KCET to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Box 4, Folder 28

Amiga 1989

Scope and Contents

Contains paperwork for the purchase of a personal computer.

Box 4, Folder 29

Audio class 1982-1984

Scope and Contents

Includes material from a course at City College of San Francisco, including student work.

Box 4, Folder 30

Audio materials undated

Scope and Contents

Contains photocopied articles on sound engineering.

Box 4, Folder 31

Baudrillard, Jean - clipping 1988

Box 4, Folder 32

Beta recorder purchase 1985-1986

Box 4, Folder 33

CARA research 1987-1988

Scope and Contents

Includes: timeline; notes; Time, 1988 July 11 [Edward James Olmos mural on cover].

Box 4, Folder 34

Children of Violence 1982-1983

Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence between Rick Tejada-Flores and KQED regarding bias in a program the station aired as part of the series Crisis to Crisis with Barbara Jordan; correspondence between KQED and the Coaltion for Community Programming on KQED; correspondence between Tejada-Flores and RCBC in Cotati, CA [RCBC seems to have some connection to the public television station KRCB].

Box 5, Folder 1

Committees and workshops 1982-1984

Scope and Contents

Contains material from several committees and workshops Rick Tejada-Flores participated in, including: Corporation for Public Broadcasting Open Selection Advisory Panel and the Rocky Mountain Film Center Western States Regional Media Arts Fellowship.

Box 5, Folder 2

Correspondence 1986-1990

Scope and Contents

Includes some discussion of Low 'n Slow, The Great Depression, and American Encounters.

Box 5, Folder 3

Distribution - various 1989-1993

Scope and Contents

Includes material on Low 'n Slow, Elvia, and Rivera in America.

Box 5, Folder 4

Feature budgets undated

Scope and Contents

Includes proposed budgets for various projects.

Box 5, Folder 5

Field footage logs undated

Scope and Contents

Contains indexes of tapes; subjects include: Roberto Bedoya, Juan Felipe Herrera, and someone named Rudy [Acuna?].

Box 5, Folder 6

Insurance 1982-1987

Box 5, Folder 7

James D. Phelan Art Award in Video 1991

Scope and Contents

Includes invitations to the ceremony honoring Barbara Hammer, Patti Podesta, and Rick Tejada-Flores.

Box 5, Folder 8

Latino Consortium 1980-1982

Scope and Contents

Includes lists of member stations and board of directors.

Box 5, Folder 9

Miscellaneous communications articles 1973-1982

Scope and Contents

Also includes copy from the KQED newsroom, circa 1973.

Box 5, Folder 10

Primer Festival de Cine y Video de Mujeres Latinoamericanas undated

Scope and Contents

Contains posters for a film festival in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Box 5, Folder 11

Quizzes undated

Scope and Contents

Contains quizzes for what appears to be a course on broadcasting.

Box 5, Folder 12

St. Mary's notes undated

Scope and Contents

Includes lecture notes and assignments for a course in broadcasting.

Box 5, Folders 13-14

San Francisco State University 1989-1990

Scope and Contents

Contains proposals and other material on the expansion of Channel 35, the university's television station; topics include: programming, scheduling, staffing, equipment purchases; budget.

Box 5, Folder 15

SFSU Channel 35 1990

Scope and Contents

Contains material on various cultural organizations and performances; includes: clippings and program for play Fatty by Cintra Wilson [about Fatty Arbuckle]; program for Candide; program for I'm on a Mission from Buddha by Lane Nishikawa; flyers for Culture Clash; releases from some of the performers.

Box 5, Folder 16

SFSU Channel 35 - financial 1990

Scope and Contents

Includes: requisitions for equipment; budget information; invoices.

Box 5, Folder 17

SFSU Channel 35 - graphics 1990

Scope and Contents

Contains photographic slides of the number 35 found in various locations.

Box 5, Folder 18

SPC Program Proposals 1982-1985

Scope and Contents

Contains proposals for: Tierra Incognita; Living Latin I; Living Latin II.

Box 5, Folder 19

Teaching materials 1982-1988

Scope and Contents

Includes material relating to college courses taught by Rick Tejada-Flores.

Box 5, Folder 20

TV production 1982

Scope and Contents

Contains course materials.