For a great perspective on the relationship between film makers and museums
check out _Museum News_ March/April 1992 issue.  The article is called
"Hollywood is Calling" by Shawn Cunningham of the B&O Museum, Baltimore.
The article is effective in presenting case studies (horror stories) and
outlining contract issues museums need to think about when considering
letting a film crew in.  I especially like the "fear of God" clause, which
gives the museum the right to pull the plug when crews step outside their
prescribed bounds.  It might be a good idea for Vila as well as his
particular museum hosts to read (or reread) the piece.

Henry B. Crawford


>To: Museum Listserve
>From: Andrea Mugnier, John F. Kennedy University, Museum Studies Program
>Re: Filmmaking in the Museum
>
>Hello! I am a graduate student researching collections care when filmmakers
>want to use museums/historic houses as locations for my Master's Project.
>Alas, I didn't get to see the Bob Vila Incident, but I think it underscored
>the need for information on the subject of film production in museums and
>historic sites. I would appreciate any information you may have concerning
>the following topics:
>1. Museum/historic house/historic site film policies
>2. Conservation information concerning the use of chemicals during filmmaking
>(stage blood, fogging solutions, etc.)
>3. Protection of facilities during filming
>4. Studio lighting
>5. Protection of botanical collections or landscaping during filming
>
>I'm hoping that somewhere out there there are people who have some knowledge
>of this subject, since I've only found a few published articles directly
>dealing with filmmaking in the museum or historic house. I think this kind of
>information is needed because museums don't always know what to expect when
>they agree to let filmmakers in. So if you know anything about these
>subjects, please let me hear from you.
>
>Andrea Mugnier
>A [log in to unmask]

*****************************************
Henry B. Crawford        Curator of History
[log in to unmask]     Museum of Texas Tech University
806/742-2442           Box 43191
FAX 742-1136             Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
*********All opinions expressed are mine**********