Guide to the Peter Conn Papers M2262

Brian Bethel

Department of Special Collections and University Archives

2019

Green Library

557 Escondido Mall

Stanford 94305-6064

specialcollections@stanford.edu

URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Title: Peter Conn papers

creator: Conn, Peter

creator: Homer and Associates

Identifier/Call Number: M2262

Physical Description: 31.5 Linear Feet (42 boxes, 2 oversize folders)

Date (inclusive): c. early 1970s - 1996

Abstract: Consists of material related to Peter Conn and Homer & Associates' work in computer-generated animation, graphics, and motion capture technology.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy. Born-digital material is closed until processed.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Peter Conn; 2017. Accession MSS 2017-255.

Biographical / Historical

Peter Conn is a director and producer known for his advances in 3D computer-generated animation, graphics, and motion capture technology, primarily through his production company Homer & Associates. Over the years, Conn has worked on music videos, commercials, television and film projects, industry presentations, and stage shows, virtually all of which involve some form of computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Conn graduated from Stanford University in 1971 with a BA in Communications. After spending a year studying film at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris, Conn developed a real time visual mixing system called the Hybrid Optical Montage Electronically Reproduced (HOMER) in 1973. HOMER was a 24-channel mixing console linked to an optical printer that blended 35mm film images with video and computer graphics. It was first put to use in a short film made for Levi Strauss & Co. in 1974. Conn eventually founded Homer & Associates in 1977 with his wife Coco Conn, naming it after his visual mixing system. Initially a multimedia effects company, Homer & Associates gradually transitioned to a full-fledged 3d animation production company, known for special effects, 3D computer animation and design, motion capture, computer rotoscoping, and slide transfer services. Homer specialized in creating computer animated effects for features like fire, smoke, and water, and additionally created proprietary software, such as a digital computer painting system.

Conn directed or contributed effects to a number of music videos from the 1970s through 1990s. He directed the music video for the Steve Miller Band’s single “Abracadabra”, for which Conn was nominated for ‘Director of the Year’ at the first American Video Awards, as well as their “Bongo Bongo” video, which includes one of the first examples of a computer-rendered character interacting with live performers. He directed George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog” music video in 1982, Al Di Meola’s "Sequencer" music video and the video for Tom Waits’ "In the Neighborhood" in 1983, and Vince Neil’s “Sister of Pain” music video in 1993. His contribution of special effects for Peter Gabriel’s 1992 “Steam” video includes one of the earliest uses of motion capture in a music video, and his effects for TLC’s 1995 “Waterfalls” music video were nominated for “Best Special Effects” at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Other notable artists for whom Conn directed music videos include Abba, Fleetwood Mac (“Paper Doll”), Bob Seger, ELO, the Jacksons (“Blame it on the Boogie”), Stevie Wonder (“Send One Your Love”), Dan Hartman, and Taste of Honey.

Homer & Associates also engaged in film and commercial work. In 1989, Homer’s humorous short film “Flying Logos” debuted at the Siggraph Electronic Theatre, eventually going on to win the Monitor Award for Best Showreel. In 1990, Homer created a short entitled "Why Do You Think They Call Him Dope?" for the record company Delicious Vinyl. In 1992, Homer contributed effects for a commercial for the Pennsylvania lottery in conjunction with Harold Friedman Consortium. Entitled “Party Hardy”, it was allegedly the first use of motion capture technology in a commercial, with director Michael Kory performing motions that would be used to animate several human-like lottery tickets.

Homer & Associates also worked on commercials for McDonald's, Ford, Minolta, General Mills, Diet Coke, and First Interstate Bank, title sequences and graphics for TV shows such as "Diff'rent Strokes," "The Cosby Show", and “Grace Under Fire”, large-screen and rear-screen projections for record companies and tours, multimedia product presentations, corporate logos, and supervised title animations for the NBA playoffs and finals for CBS sports from 1987-1989. The company also created sequences for the films Robocop, Total Recall, Lawnmower Man, and Congo, before closing in 1996.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Peter Conn papers (M2262). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the Peter Conn papers pertains to music videos and other Homer & Associates projects, such as commercials, short films, and contributions to feature films. These materials include photographs, prints, film equipment, reels of film, slides, negatives, costume pieces, sketchbooks, storyboards, location scouting photos, casting sheets, headshots and actor resumes, production stills, records, and laser discs. The majority of these materials originate from the 1980s and early 1990s.

There is also a significant amount of materials related to Homer publicity. These primarily take the form of news and magazine clippings, but also include numerous press releases, posters, prints, industry publications, and other promotional materials.

Internal Homer materials include legal documents, film equipment, computer equipment documentation and hardware specifications, correspondence, and reference materials.

Memorabilia includes props and numerous awards and trophies.

Conditions Governing Use

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Animation (Cinematography)

Computer animation -- Special effects

Motion picture industry.

Music videos

Computer graphics.

Conn, Peter

Homer and Associates

Series 1. Music Videos

Scope and Contents

This series contains materials related to music videos which Homer and Peter Conn either directed or contributed special effects to.

Sub-series are organized by project and project date, with other project materials following in alphabetical order.

Sub-series 1.1. George Clinton - "Atomic Dog", 1982

box 41, object 8

"Atomic Dog" Betacam tape

box 28, object 6

George Clinton "Computer Games" album sleeve

box 28, object 1

George Clinton "Atomic Dog" 7 inch

box 21, folder 4

"Atomic Dog" sketches

box 2, folder 3

Atomic Dog

box 11

"Atomic Dog" animation sketches, 1 of 2

box 12

"Atomic Dog" animation sketches, 2 of 2

Sub-series 1.2. Steve Miller Band - "Abracadabra", 1982

box 41, object 2

"Abracadabra - complete video, spring 1996 reel" digital videotape 1996

box 7, folder 4

Capitol/Steve Miller/Abracadabra slides and negatives

box 35

Gold sales award for "Abracadabra"

Sub-series 1.3. Al Di Meola - "Sequencer", 1983

box 20, folder 5

"Sequencer" 11 x 14 proof sheets

box 6, folder 12

Al Di Meola slides and photos

box 6, folder 13

Al Di Meola negatives

Sub-series 1.4. Tom Waits - "In the Neighborhood", 1983

box 19, folder 1

Oversize Tom Waits materials

box 10, folder 5

Rob Mendel letter and "In the Neighborhood" photos

box 10, folder 6

"Tom Waits location"

box 10, folder 4

"In the Neighborhood" polaroids

box 10, folder 2-3

"In the Neighborhood" casting sheets

box 8, folder 5

Tom Waits shoot prints and photos

Sub-series 1.5. Steve Miller Band - "Bongo Bongo", 1984

box 29, object 3

Bongo model

box 28, object 4-5

Steve Miller Band "Shangri-La" 7 inch

box 28, object 2-3

Steve Miller Band "Bongo Bongo" 7 inch

box 3, folder 4

Bongo's Buddies

box 14

Bongo sketchbook

box 7, folder 1

Bongo Bongo photos and contact sheets

box 6, folder 22

Bongo Bongo slides

box 2, folder 2

Bongo Bongo

box 2, folder 11

Bongo Bongo

Sub-series 1.6. Peter Gabriel - "Steam", 1992

box 33

Mounted "Steam" print

box 13, object 11

"On the cutting edge of technology"

box 4, folder 8

Peter Gabriel - "Steam" slides

box 4, folder 1

Steam photos and negatives Dec. 1992

box 3, folder 2

Steam

Sub-series 1.7. Vince Neil - "Sister of Pain", 1993

box 3, folder 1

Sister of Pain

box 34

Vince Neil "Sister of pain" costume

Sub-series 1.8. Miscellaneous

box 6, folder 14

Aerosmith - "Angel"

box 4, folder 11

Alice Cooper photos, slides, and negatives

box 41, object 7

"Alice Cooper behind scenes" Betacam tape

box 6, folder 15

Barry Manilow

box 8, folder 7

Barry Manilow production stills 1987-09-29

box 3, folder 3

Fleetwood Mac

box 31, reel 5

"Fleetwood Mac / Paper doll" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 2, folder 1

Billy Squier - early optical digitization video for Capitol Records

box 8, folder 9

Taste of Honey production stills

box 10, folder 1

Head shots and resumes

box 17

VHS tapes

Series 2. Other Projects

Scope and Contents

This series contains materials related to other projects undertaken by Homer or Peter Conn, including short films and commercials.

Sub-series are organized by project and project date, with other minor project materials following, and all following materials grouped in the order processed, before unlabelled materials at the end.

Sub-series 2.1. "Freeway Jam"

box 42, object 2

"Freeway Jam, Leni, Dream Weaver film transfer" - 8" reel of 2" videotape 1979

box 40, object 1

"Freeway jam - 35mm optical soundtrack, Academy aperture" - reel of 35mm film

box 39, reel 4

"Freeway jam - scratch, too yellow" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 7

"Freeway jam - jumpy print" - 6" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 6

"Freeway jam - no sound, heavy flash" - 6.25" reel of 16mm film

Sub-series 2.2. Levi's denim art contest, 1974

box 38, reel 2

"Levis denim art contest - Peter Conn" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 3

"Levi" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 4

"Levi denim art - 1st print from CRI" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 37, reel 2

"Levis denim art contest" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 37, reel 3

"Levi" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 37, reel 4

"Levi - good print"

box 37, object 6

"Levi's denim art contest catalogue of winners" book

box 37, object 7

"Levi contest msc. dupes" slides

Sub-series 2.3. Leni Riefenstahl project, 1976

box 19, object 4

"People of Kau" by Leni Riefenstahl

box 37, reel 1

"Leni / E/A / dream sequence" - 3.75" reel of 16mm film

box 31, reel 3

"Leni Riefenstahl #1" - 3.75" reel of 16mm film

Sub-series 2.4. "Body Music", 1984

box 28, object 7

"Body Music" laserdisc

box 15, object 4

Box of "Body Music" slides

box 15, object 5

Box of "Body Music" slides

box 7, folder 3

Body Music

Sub-series 2.5. "Flying Logos", 1989

box 42, object 1

"Flying Logos" - 8" reel of videotape

box 40, object 2

"Flying logos - stereo sweetened master" - 6.75" reel of videotape 1989

box 29, object 1

"Flying Logos" pins

box 22, folder 1

Japanese "Flying Logos" award

box 5, folder 15

World Access Television slides

box 5, folder 10

Misc. negatives

box 5, folder 8

Misc. slides

box 5, folder 12

Flying Logos slides

box 5, folder 20

Flying Logos negatives

Sub-series 2.6. "Party Hardy" Pennsylvania Lottery commercial, 1992

box 5, folder 6

Lottery slides

box 4, folder 9

"Party Hardy" photos, slides, and negatives

box 2, folder 4

"Party Hardy" - Pennsylvania Lottery commercial

Sub-series 2.7 Window pane

box 31, reel 7

"Window panes - Peter Conn" - 7" reel of 16mm film 1969

box 31, reel 9

"Peter Conn 'Window pane' 1st ans. prt." - 7" reel of 16mm film

Sub-series 2.8 Two in a Graveyard

box 41, object 11

"Two in a Graveyard" - 12.5" reel of 16mm film 1970

box 41, object 13

"Two in a Graveyard answer print" - 12.5" reel of 16mm film

Sub-series 2.9 Sun Princess

box 41, object 4

"Sun Princess betaSP master" Betacam tape 1995

box 41, object 1

"Princess Line Cruises" Betacam tape 1995

box 40, object 3

"Sun Princess" digital videotape 1995

Sub-series 2.10 Bonehead

box 5, folder 2

"Bonehead" slides and negatives

map-folder 32

Oversize "Bonehead" & other prints

Sub-series 2.11 Miscellaneous media projects & demos

box 43

"Dream Weaver, Time Machine, Hallelujah" - 10.5" reel of 2" videotape

box 44

"Time Machine Trilogy, Sky Eyes, Dream Weaver film transfer" - 8" reel of 2" videotape 1979

box 2, folder 8

"La Contessa" screenplay

box 4, folder 10

"Fireman" slides

box 4, folder 12

Panasonic slides

box 5, folder 1

"Edificio" photos and slides

box 5, folder 3

"Communicator" cover print

box 5, folder 4

Minolta slides

box 5, folder 5

Dentist slides

box 5, folder 7

Party Machine slides

box 5, folder 9

Particles slides

box 5, folder 11

NBA Finals slides 1987-1990

box 5, folder 13

Alcatel/Carnet slides

box 5, folder 14

Sandals slides

box 5, folder 16

McDonald's slides

box 6, folder 17

Julio Iglesias

box 6, folder 19

Lucky Charms

box 6, folder 20

Eiffel Tower/Jaragua

box 6, folder 21

LA 411 artwork

box 7, folder 5

Diff'rent Strokes photos and prints

box 7, folder 8

NARM/R + R/Rocky Mountain

box 8, folder 8

RoboCop Jan. 1987

box 8, folder 6

Gary Wright material

box 9, folder 1

Rolls 1-5

box 9, folder 2-3

Jaragua photos

box 9, folder 4

Systema polaroids

box 30, object 1

"Homer & Associates Compilation Reel 1" film

box 31, reel 2

"Mexico" - 6" reel of super 8mm film

box 31, reel 4

"Conn - Fate and absurdity" - 5" reel of super 8mm film

box 31, reel 6

"Hallelujah chorus - Orson Welles" - 7" reel of 16mm film

box 31, reel 8

"Homer demo tape test" - 3.75" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 1

"Peter Conn" 7" reel of 16mm film

box 38, reel 5

"Peter [illegible] msc. Maine" - 7" reel of super 8mm film

box 41, object 3

"Homer reel, spring 1996" digital videotape 1996

box 41, object 5

"Homer Beta comp reel #1" Betacam tape

box 41, object 6

"Homer reel from VDR" Betacam tape

box 41, object 9

"La Poabelle" - 9.5" reel of 16mm film

box 41, object 12

"BioVision Motion" digital videotape

Series 3. Homer Publicity

Scope and Contents

This series contains promotional materials for Homer and Associates, including magazine and newspaper clippings, articles, interviews, advertisements, and other forms of publicity.

Materials are arranged chronologically where a date is provided, with all undated materials arranged in the order processed.

box 1, folder 29

Back Stage 1982

box 1, folder 4

"Homer's Hits" - Billboard 1982

box 1, folder 42

Millimeter June 1982

box 1, folder 32

Audio Visual Directions cover Mar. 1983

box 1, folder 5

On Location - Ian Blair May 1983

box 1, folder 23

Audio-Visual Communications Sep. 1983

box 1, folder 34

The Mix Oct. 1983

box 1, folder 6

Rolling Stone Mar. 1984

box 1, folder 31

Back Stage Mar. 1984

box 1, folder 18

American Cinematographer Apr. 1984

box 1, folder 36

Millimeter May 1984

box 1, folder 16

People June 1984

box 1, folder 12

Optic Music July 1984

box 1, folder 30

Back Stage - Peter Conn Aug. 1984

box 1, folder 38

USA Today Aug. 1984

box 1, folder 9

Red Car editorial Apr. 1985

box 1, folder 20

Client list - old 1986

box 1, folder 19

Communicator May 1987

box 1, folder 40

Computer Graphics World July 1987

box 1, folder 44

PR - Barry Manilow Nov. 1987

box 1, folder 21

RoboCop Nov. 1987

box 1, folder 43

PR for "Power Play" Mar. 1988

box 3, folder 17

Film & Video Magazine article June 1988

box 1, folder 45

Film & Video - "Sister of Pain" Sep. 1993

box 1, folder 1

Editing flyer

box 1, folder 2

EITV

box 1, folder 3

Music Video Award nominees

box 1, folder 7

Misc. Homer articles

box 1, folder 8

Record company contacts

box 1, folder 10

Peter Conn biography

box 1, folder 11

Homer and Associates in-house services

box 1, folder 13

Misc. music video articles

box 1, folder 14

Info for press releases and show reel - Artisans

box 1, folder 15

Homer PR

box 1, folder 22

"Flying Logos" press release

box 1, folder 24

Atomic Dog/Music Connection

box 1, folder 25

Video project history

box 1, folder 26

Press releases

box 1, folder 27

Video awards

box 1, folder 28

Articles/tear sheets

box 1, folder 33

American Video Awards

box 1, folder 37

Image West

box 1, folder 39

LA Weekly

box 1, folder 41

Japanese Computer Graphics

box 2, folder 5

Homer - misc.

box 3, folder 6

Old blurbs

box 3, folder 10

Homer advertisements

box 3, folder 13

Article and certification masters

box 3, folder 15

"On the Cutting Edge of Technology" clippings

box 4, folder 2

Postcards

box 4, folder 3

Homer advertisement photos and prints

box 6, folder 10

Homer and optical printer shoot

box 8, folder 1

Masters

box 8, folder 2

In-house services layout

box 13, folder 2

Homer publicity

box 13, folder 5

Homer client list and company bio

box 19, folder 2

"Boning up" article layout

box 20, folder 3

Homer promotion contact sheets, negatives, and prints

box 21, folder 1

Homer promotional clippings

Series 4. Homer Internal Materials

Scope and Contents

This series contains internal company materials originating from Homer and Associates, including technical documentation, photographs, legal materials, and drafts of promotional work.

Materials are arranged in the order processed.

box 1, folder 17

Christmas database

box 1, folder 35

Letters

box 2, folder 6

"Save shit" - misc. documents and photographs

box 2, folder 7

"Humor"

box 2, folder 9

Contact sheet portraits

box 2, folder 10

Homer & Associates legal documents

box 2, folder 12

Space photographs

box 3, folder 5

Production flowchart

box 3, folder 7

Early Homer correspondence and articles

box 3, folder 8

Homer contracts and legal documents

box 3, folder 9

Homer financing proposal

box 3, folder 11

Technical documents

box 3, folder 12

Moiré

box 3, folder 16

Homer logo prints

box 4, folder 5-6

Photos and artwork

box 4, folder 7

Slides and negatives

box 4, folder 13

Shin Segae

box 5, folder 18

4 x 5 photographs

box 5, folder 21

Homer equipment prints

box 6, folder 5

Portraits of Jawalt and Harvey

box 6, folder 7

Homer card 1988

box 6, folder 8

Homer business card template

box 6, folder 9

Homer logo

box 6, folder 16

8 x 10 prints of Hollywood at night

box 6, folder 18

Velvet backdrops

box 7, folder 2

PR list

box 7, folder 6-7

Homer/Up to now/Cat 800 photos, slides, and negatives

box 7, folder 9

Homer master layouts

box 9, folder 5

Homer office photos

box 10, folder 7

Correspondence 1973-1984

box 10, folder 8

System documentation, volume 1

box 10, folder 9

System documentation, volume 2

box 13, folder 1

Homer & Associates articles of incorporation

box 13, object 10

Deposit record book

box 19, folder 3

3D graphics prints

box 21, folder 2

Planner 1978-1979

box 30, object 2

Optical media

Series 5. Memorabilia

Scope and Contents

This series contains memorabilia such as awards, props, trophies, and other ephemera.

Materials are arranged in the order processed.

box 3, folder 14

MTV award

box 13, folder 4

Homer stationary and business cards

box 13, folder 8

Homer memorabilia

box 13, folder 9

Flipbooks

box 20, folder 8

Homer test pattern board

box 20, folder 6

Homer award placards

box 20, folder 4

Promotional posters

box 21, folder 5

"Dope" ribbon pennants

box 22, folder 3

Original HOMER print

box 22, folder 4

Homer & Associates award posters

box 22, folder 2

Long exposure print

box 25

Award plaques and trophies

Box 26

Award plaques and trophies

box 27

Trophies and music video props

box 29, object 2

Homer stamps

Series 6. Trade Publications

Scope and Contents

This series contains publications related to the film, computer animation, and music video industries.

Materials are arranged chronologically where a date is provided, with all undated materials arranged in the order processed.

box 20, object 1

"Creativity" magazine, Sep. 1988

box 20, object 2

Adobe type catalog, 1988

box 9, object 7

Back Stage Shoot 1990-08-10

box 9, object 8

Back Stage Shoot 1992-07-17

box 3, folder 18

Misc. documents and prints

box 13, folder 7

Magazine covers and clippings

box 15

Music, music video, and animation magazines

box 16

Music, music video, and animation magazines

Series 7. Personal materials

Scope and Contents

This series contains personal materials relating to Peter Conn and family.

box 6, folder 6

Conn family portrait

box 6, folder 1

Conn family shots

box 6, folder 2

Peter Conn head shots

box 6, folder 3

Peter Conn head shots with Homer

box 6, folder 4

Old photos of Peter Conn

box 39, reel 2

"Scarsdale etc., grandparents, approx. 1958" - 7" reel of super 8mm film 1958

box 39, object 5

"Home movies" videotape

Series 8. Miscellaneous photos, media, etc.

box 28, object 8

"FirstVision" laserdisc stock photography album sleeve

box 28, object 9

"The World of Norman McLaren" laserdisc

box 28, object 10

"The World of Oskar Fischinger" laserdisc

box 28, object 11

"Interactive Applications Sampler" laserdisc

box 20, folder 7

Writer's strike photograph print 1948

box 3, folder 19

Slides

box 4, folder 4

Slides and negatives

box 5, folder 19

Misc. slides

box 5, folder 17

Misc. computer graphics slides

box 6, folder 11

Misc. slides

box 7, folder 10

Unlabeled photos, negatives, and contact sheets

box 8, folder 3-4

Unlabeled photos, slides, and negatives

Box 9, Folder 6

Unlabeled photos and negatives

box 13, folder 3

Slide samples

box 13, folder 6

Miscellaneous photos

box 15, object 1

Unlabelled box of slides

box 15, object 2

Box of slides labelled "no good"

box 15, object 3

Unlabeled box of slides

box 18

Unlabeled slides

box 21, folder 3

Photos and postcards

box 31, reel 1

Unlabeled 5" reel of super 8mm film

box 31, reel 10

Unlabeled reels of 16mm film

box 37, reel 5

Unlabeled 7" reel of super 8mm film

box 38, reel 8

Unlabeled 3.75" reel of 16mm film

box 39, reel 1

Unlabeled super 8mm film

box 39, reel 3

Unlabeled 7" reel of 16mm film

box 41, object 10

Misc. reels of 35mm film

Series 9. Technical & Equipment

Video mixer

Scope and Contents

Original 5-channel HOMER video mixing board with hydraulic joystick and logic done by stepper relays built in the early 1970s.

box 36

Lenses, projection lamps, and mixing board

box 22, folder 5

Circuit board master artwork

map-folder 23

Oversize circuit board diagrams

box 24, folder 1

Homer console documentation and layouts

box 24, folder 4

Master stepper control artwork

box 24, folder 2-3

Console transparencies

box 24, folder 5

Master 3" negative, 200 slot wheel