Tusty (James and Maureen) papers, 1928-2015, bulk 2004-2005
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- James and Maureen Tusty papers
- Dates:
- 1928-2015, bulk 2004-2005
- Abstract:
- The Singing Revolution is a 2006 documentary film created by Americans James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty about the nonviolent Singing Revolution in Estonia. Material includes original media used in the production as well as related papers and documents.
- Extent:
- 20 Linear Feet (19 boxes)
- Language:
- Estonian , English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], James and Maureen Tusty Papers (M3021). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection includes materials pertaining to the documentary, The Singing Revolution (2006). The collection consists of video interviews, various video footage, archival footage, marketing and outreach materials, correspondence, photos and miscellaneous items related to research, propduction and publishing the film. The collection also includes rough cuts and other archival and research films. The film tells the story of Estonia's non-violent struggle for freedom from Soviet occupation and documents their struggle between 1986 and 1991 as the Estonians took to the streets to sing forbidden songs in an effort to free themselves of the Soviet occupation.
- Biographical / historical:
-
James (Jim) Tusty is an independent filmmaker, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is co-Owner and co-Filmmaker of Sky Films Inc, along with his wife, Maureen Castle Tusty. In 1981, he founded Mountain View Group, Ltd. and built it into a high-level filmmaking and communications consulting firm that serviced some of the largest companies in the world, including GE, Coca-Cola, and The Home Depot. He sold his company in 2008 to two long-standing employees, and established Sky Films Incorporated. While helming Mountain View, he developed WorkForce Instinctâ„¢ (WFI), an organizational communications process that drives corporate missions into the gut of the entire organization. Working with senior management, WFI was a communications and motivational tool primarily used during major periods of change, such as CEO transitions.
Returning to his filmmaker roots with Sky Films, Jim and Maureen Tusty released their first feature film, The Singing Revolution, in 2008, which was compared to Casablanca by the New York Times, and later was cited by the Times as one of five "maverick" films that were changing the independent film industry due to their creative distribution plan. Their documentary is based on the events that led to Estonia's shaking off the yoke of the Soviet Union and featured massive singing gatherings.
Despite the fact that the documentary focuses on the process of Estonia regaining its independence in 1987-1991, the film also looks back to occupation of Estonia and the decades that followed the event. Lots of archival film materials have been used. It shows people who participated in the events and influenced the course of these events - politicians, conductors of song festivals, dissidents and regular citizens. The filmmakers emphasize the tradition of song festivals and the unique experience of a nation to sing themselves into freedom without violence.
Maureen (Mo) Castle Tusty is co-owner and the primary creative director and film director for Sky Films Inc. She was co-filmmaker with her husband/partner, Jim Tusty, on The Singing Revolution, which was the first project they produced together. Her documentary films have been seen in theaters, on Public Television, and in classrooms across the country. Previously, as Senior Producer, Maureen was responsible for many of the award-winning corporate and educational films at Mountain View Group, Ltd., their former company. She has produced films in dozens of countries around the world and has developed a particular expertise in international production. She continues to occasionally produce and direct high-profile corporate and commercial work for Mountain View Group.
Maureen was the primary director/researcher on the Sky Films productions of To Breathe as One, India Awakes, Changing Lives: Economic Freedom in Action, and Trailblazers: the New Zealand Story.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection given to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2024, Accession 2024-190.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-11-01 11:58:18 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
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.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], James and Maureen Tusty Papers (M3021). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022