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Description
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.
Background
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).
Extent
.4 linear foot of papers. 1.25 linear feet of photographs. 71 artworks.
Restrictions
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.
Availability
Available by appointment only.