Guide to the Rebecca J. Miller Collection
, 1976-1979
(bulk 1976-1979)
Rhode Island School of Design Archives, University Archives
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
E-mail: risdarchives@risd.edu
Published in 2023
Collection Overview
| Title: |
Rebecca J. Miller Collection |
| Date range: |
1976-1979, (bulk 1976-1979) |
| Creator: |
Miller, Rebecca Jean |
| Extent: |
4 linear feet
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| Abstract: |
This collection represents Rebecca J. Miller's student work as a major in RISD's Film Animation Video department from 1976-1978. Miller discovered and revisited an orphaned 1940s Robert J. Flaherty film project documenting the work of RISD professor John Howard Benson (see RISD Collection Number 23.10 Robert J. Flaherty - John Howard Benson Film). Although the original film's two principal makers had passed away, Miller filmed several interviews with individuals involved in the original 1940s project including: Fisher Benson, John Benson's widow; filmmaker and MIT professor Richard Leacock, who assisted Robert Flaherty; and Gordon Washburn, RISD's former Museum Director, who commisioned the film from Flaherty and who also was the nephew of Frances (Mrs. Robert) Flaherty. Miller's film was unfinished at the time she graduated from RISD in 1978. The collection includes original film and audio recordings made by Miller, along with research materials and a typed student paper.
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| Language of materials: |
English |
| Repository: |
Rhode Island School of Design Archives, University Archives
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| Collection number: |
16.2.51 |
Scope & content
The Rebecca J. Miller Collection is comprised of 16mm film footage, synched 1/4-inch magnetic tape sound recordings, audio casette tapes, and research papers.
Access Points
Subject Topics
Arrangement
Arranged by media type.
Historical note
As a RISD student, Rebecca J. Miller learned of an orphaned 1940s film by reknowned documentary filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty, documenting the calligraphy and stone-carving skills of RISD professor John Howard Benson. The film was originally commissioned by Museum Director Gordon Washburn and funded by RISD donors. There were several unsuccessful attempts in the 1950s to complete the silent film using Flaherty's original film footage along with new footage created by Charles Arnold, Jr., hired by the RISD President to finish the film. Rebecca Miller was granted access to the 16mm film material (1940s-1950s) that had been deposited in the RISD Museum as well as correspondence in the Museum Director's correspondence files (Collection Number 23.1.3). She filmed several interviews with individuals involved in the original 1944 project including: Fisher Benson, John Benson's widow; filmmaker Richard Leacock, who assisted Robert Flaherty; and Gordon Washburn, RISD's former Museum Director, who commissioned the film from Flaherty and who was the nephew of Frances (Mrs. Robert) Flaherty. Miller's film was unfinished at the time that she graduated from RISD in 1978 and her unedited film, audio recordings, and research material were eventually donated to the RISD Archives in 2015.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: |
An appointment is required to view materials. |
| Use of the materials: |
The use of certain documents and collections may be restricted. Please consult the Archives staff for further details. |
| Preferred citation: |
Rebecca J. Miller Collection, 16.2.51, Rhode Island School of Design. |
| Contact information: |
Rhode Island School of Design Archives, University Archives
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
E-mail: risdarchives@risd.edu
|
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION |
| Acquisition: |
Materials donated to the RISD Archives by Rebecca J. Miller in 2015. |
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| ABOUT THE FINDING AID |
| Author: |
Finding aid prepared by Andrew Martinez. |
| Encoding: |
Finding aid encoded by Andrew Martinez
2023 April 11 |
| Descriptive rules: |
Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
Inventory
| Film 1 |
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2/1/78, RISD Shrunken Ptg. A-Roll 82-06, HD
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1978 Feb 1 |
| Film 2 |
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180' 1st 1/2 orig titles
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1976-1979 |
| Film 4 |
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Print and orig fucked up photos
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1976-1979 |
| Film 5 |
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Marathon '79
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1976-1979 |
| Film 6 |
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Original Titles 11/78
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1978 Nov |
| Film 7 |
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R. Miller, Reel No. 1
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1976-1979 |
| Film 8 |
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11-77 55 feet, Film Opticals, Dupe. neg. Of Blackletter Special Shuttle, wet gate
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1977 Nov |
| Film 9 |
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Lab E-4027, Rebecca Miller, Orig. 8/14/78, orig., heads, Lab E- 4027, Rebecca Miller
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1978 Aug 14 |
| Film 10 |
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Joe Connolly on the Soul. Original Block Island for new insert
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1976-1979 |
| Film 11 |
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55 feet working print from dupe neg. Blackletter, DuArt 12-77, R. Miller, Reel No.1
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1977 Dec |
| Film 12 |
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Miller Rhode Island School of Design, Box 757, Providence, RI, 02903, Test -1' - B-Wind (BASE up) Shrunken, Optical
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1976-1979 |
| Film 13 |
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Mrs. Benson outtakes, 1) "716, tail junk wild picture; 2) tail sync outtakes; 3) tail sync outtakes
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1976-1979 |
| Film 14 |
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4 non-sync - Mrs. Benson Interview - sound
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1976-1979 |
| Film 15 |
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Roger Gordy THE FREE Rhode Island School of Design Phone 521-0949, 3 sync sound Mrs. Benson Interview
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1976-1979 |
| Film 16 |
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2 sync - interview picture w/Mrs. Benson
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1976-1979 |
| Film 17 |
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Mrs. Benson
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1976-1979 |
| Film 18 |
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Untitled
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1976-1979 |
| Film 19 |
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Side one: Interview with Mrs. John Howard Benson for the film shot and recorded Nov. 20, 1976
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1976 Nov 20 |
| Film 20 |
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2 takes. Edwin Honig 5-17-78 reading Flaherty narration. 1 take of Reb. reading Narration, final 11/78
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1978 Nov |
| Film 21 |
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Orig Flaherty Material from which B-WMD Dupe Master was made by Hugo
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1976-1979 |
| Film 22 |
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Untitled
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1976-1979 |
| Film 23 |
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Untitled
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1976-1979 |
| Film 24 |
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Some other orig. Not sure what Washburn Burn Original
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1976-1979 |
| Film 25 |
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Original interview with Mrs. J.H.B. [John Howard Benson], 11/20/76
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1976 Nov 20 |
| Film 26 |
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Labe E-2040 Rebecca Miller 'Benson Film' 2 Bwind Masters, 4-28-78
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1978 Apr 28 |
| Film 27 |
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Rebecca Miller, 7242 Normal
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1976-1979 |
| Film 28 |
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Rebecca Miller, Benson Film
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1976-1979 |
| Film 29 |
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Some photo shoot
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1976-1979 |
| Film 30 |
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Original Leacock, So-so photos - original shot of [?] photos - original Leacock
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1976-1979 |
| Audiotape 1 |
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Mixed Marriage Track
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1976-1979 |
| Audiotape 2 |
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Water and Wind, Seashore Sound Effects April 29, 1978
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1978 Apr 29 |
| Audiotape 3 |
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Motorized and hand operated printing presses - Litho, Madeline Sorel performances taken 5-6-78
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1978 May 6 |
| Audiotape 4 |
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Sounds of presses running at the Pawtucket Times 5-5-78
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1978 May 5 |
| Audiotape 5 |
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No.4 Washburn (New York - Park). All Non Sync (or rather - shot sync but without sync cable. Flaherty/Benson Unfinished Masterpiece. Recorded 4-6-78
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1978 Apr 6 |
| Audiotape 6 |
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Tape No.2 upstairs at John Stevens Shop in Newport and at the Water. Recorded 4/5/78, interview w/ Mrs. John Howard Benson, April 5, 1978, Tape ½ filled, Sound: Bob Richardson. Camera: Scott Sorenson. Director. Reb
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1978 Apr 5 |
| Audiotape 7 |
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No.3 New York, Mr. Washburn (Lost sync-cable ½ thru production). 4-6-78
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1978 Apr 6 |
| Audiotape 8 |
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April 18, 1978. Interview with Ricky Leacock M.I.T. Camb., Mass. Scott Sorenson: Camera. Bob Richardson: Sound. Director: Reb
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1978 Apr 18 |
| Audiotape 9 |
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Tape No.1 - graveyard (problems-radio mike in beginning crackled, changed mikes with Rebecca, lower voice level - wind obviously a slight and consistent problem), shot in Newport April 4, 1978, Bob Richardson: Sound, Scott Sorenson: Camera, Reb: Director, Interview w/Mrs. John Howard Benson
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1978 Apr 4 |
| Audiotape 10 |
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Side 1 Mrs. John Howard Benson, Aug. 4, 1976, Side 2 Mrs. John Howard Benson, Aug. 4, 1976
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1976 Aug 4 |
| Audiotape 11 |
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Side 1 Richard Leacock, April 13, 1976, Side 2 Gordon Washburn,
7-19-76
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1976 Apr 13 |
| Audiotape 12 |
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Untitled
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1976-1979 |
| Box 1 |
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Rebecca J. Miller Research Papers
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1944-1979 |