Home » American Way (Page 50)

• 

  [The 90’s raw: M.M. Thomas]

  American Way, THE 90's

  Raw tape for the award-winning series The 90’s. M.M. Thomas describes his opinions on politics and America’s future in the ’90s. He describes his dissatisfaction with the policies of Reagan and Bush and what he thinks is wrong with the country. He gives his ultimate solution: “The only way to do all this is increase revenues, and you can read my lips, that means T-A-X-E-S.”

• 

  [The 90’s raw: Ian Mitroff interview]

  American Way, Nancy Cain

  This tape features raw footage for the award-winning TV series The 90’s. It features an interview with author and University of Southern California professor Ian Mitroff. Mitroff discusses television and its effect on politics and public discourse, saying, “TV has become a self-sealing universe… a culture. There’s too much garbage on TV but you can’t turn it off… how do you turn off a culture?” and “The kids have gotten the message in this society which is… ‘Say yes to consumption in endless amounts.’ That’s the real message, and that’s what TV is really about in this country. It’s tied to consumerism, not even entertainment… it’s all consumerism.” Commenting on the television news’ reliance on political sound bites: “If [Abraham Lincoln] were around today he would be reduced to ‘Read my lips: no more slavery.'”

• 

  The Whistling Show

  American Way, Roots of Video, Viewers Choice

  Tape featuring performances and a few small interviews with contestants at the 1st International Whistle-Off in Carson City, Nevada. We learn that, oddly enough, whistling is actually a formally studied musical field. The contestants inform us that there are two types of professional whistling – classical and bird noises. Many whistlers earn money working for Disney doing bird noises for their movies, which are produced by human whistlers rather than recordings of birds. It is unclear what employment opportunities are present in the classical whistling industry. This profession seemed to involve whistling while accompanied by classical music on a tape recorder. In this tape, the primary focus is on the different whistling styles and the contest. Most of the tape is comprised of the performances at the event.

• 

  [Wired In raw #86: Apple #3]

  American Way

  Raw footage for “Wired In,” a never completed series on the technological trends and innovations of the 1980s. In this video, Apple employees continue to plan “A Personal Guide to Personal Computers.” Advertising Manager Henry Whitfield, Editorial Services Manager Monte Lorenzet, Graphic Designer Russell Leong, and Editorial Services Writer Pete Lundstrom talk about the book in great detail. Henry Whitfield also gives a one on one interview about the new book and Apple’s advertising strategy. Apple #3.

• 

  [Rock The Vote 33 spots]

  American Way

  33 spots for Rock the Vote 1991.

• 

  [Wired In raw #101: Lily Tomlin #1]

  American Way, Video Makers Choice

  Raw footage for “Wired In,” a never completed series on the technological trends and innovations of the 1980s. Lily Tomlin does multiple takes of a spoof PSA about Pac-Man addiction.

• 

  [Making It In Hollywood raw #6, Sally’s House]

  American Way, Making it in Hollywood

  Raw footage for the 1976 documentary “Making It In Hollywood”, which follows several actors as they attempt to break into the movie business. More raw footage from the interview with Sally Kirkland, taped at her home.

• 

  [Making It In Hollywood raw #32]

  American Way, CLIR, Making it in Hollywood, Roots of Video

  Raw footage for the 1976 documentary “Making It In Hollywood,” which follows several actors as they attempt to break into the movie business. This tapes follows Cissy Colpitts, an aspiring actress, as she enters the William Morris Agency in an attempt to obtain an agent to represent her. She is interviewed on the street before meeting with the agent, and again when the meeting has finished. She talks about the experience, and says it was very positive. She did not get an agent, but was referred to other, smaller agencies. After leaving the agency, the interview continues at a poolside location, where Colpitts shows us her headshots, and resume. She also talks about her decision to become an actress.