Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1954-1988, predominant 1960-1985 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
ca. 500 film reels. -- 7 video cassettes. -- 26 cm of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Robert Willis, 1932-2005, was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He received an honours degree in Advertising Art from the Ontario College of Art in 1955. He worked in Calgary for Master Film Studios Ltd., Alberta's first film production company, from 1955 to 1966. For six months in 1958 he took time out to work with Pearl and Dean Cartoons Ltd. in London, England as a cartoon director. Upon his return he became general manager and then president of the studio which had been renamed Master Films (Alberta) Ltd. The company specialized in concept to screen productions of TV commercials and sponsored 16mm documentary films.
In 1966 the company became Canawest-Master Films Ltd. As vice-president, Robert served as producer/director/editor on commercials and sponsored films. In 1985 he took over Canawest-Master Films and merged it with On/film Productions Ltd. which he had incorporated in 1969. His company went on to produce more of the same types of features, including some work for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. Robert went into semi-retirement in 1991. He and his wife Jean had one son Rob.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Robert Willis, 1991-1999.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 500,000 feet of 16 mm film and some videos, predominantly raw footage and some finished feature films. Subjects include the petroleum industry, the Calgary Zoo, the Banff School of Fine Arts, Alberta tourism, Wardair, Ducks Unlimited, Alberta Wheat Pool, the Calgary Stampede, the 1988 Olympics and the United Way. There are also numerous early television commercials. Scripts and shot lists are also included; copy of scrapbook regarding career.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
No finding aid.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on provenance of records.