- Scope and Content:
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The Jonathan Demme Papers consists of approximately 150 linear feet of materials from 1970-2010. Materials include correspondence, legal and business documents, and photographs, as well as extensive documentation of film production, including pre- and post-production phases. In some cases, awards and publicity materials are also included.
The "Silence of the Lambs" series consists of approximately 13 linear feet. The material follows the project through the phases of production, and includes many drafts of the final script and novel adaptation, as well as extensive pre-production and location scouting information.
The "Philadelphia" series consists of approximately 15 linear feet. Its material documents the 1993 courtroom drama starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington - regarded as Hollywood's seminal motion picture depicting the AIDS crisis and homophobia - through its development, production, promotion, exhibition, distribution, and reception. Its records show Demme's unique efforts to research AIDS and its effects on the gay community to give audiences an authentic portrayal of the crisis. Additionally, material from the Awards and Events sub-series highlights Demme's distinct concern for AIDS advocacy, support, and education, documenting the many philanthropic screenings benefiting AIDS-related organizations that coincided with the film's release.
The "Rachel Getting Married" series consists of approximately 6 linear feet. The material documents the 2008 drama, originally titled "Dancing with Shiva," starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie Dewitt, Bill Irwin and Debra Winger through the phases of its creation and promotion. Its records show Demme's unique approach to shooting the film as well as developing and recording the musical score.
As of September 2024, the "Silence of the Lambs", "Philadelphia", and "Rachel Getting Married" series have been processed and made available to researchers.
- Biographical / Historical:
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Roberth Jonathan Demme (1944-2017) was an American film and telivision director noted for his work in a variety of film styles. Demme began his career working for producer Roger Corman. His early work included "Caged Heat" in 1974 and "Melvinn and Howard" in 1980, for which he recieved significant critical acclaim and two Academy Awards.
Demme formed his own production company with Edward Saxon and Peter Saraf in 1987, and shortly thereafter began work on "The Silence of the Lambs", which would go on to win awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress in 1991. Demme went on to make "Philadelphia", one of the first major films to address the AIDS crisis, and adapted Toni Morisson's "Beloved" in 1998.
Through his work in the 1980s through the early 2000s, Demme became known for his dramatic close-up films. His career continued to draw widespead acclaim and attention, as he worked various on adaptations, original dramas, and documentaries and biopics. He also engaged in various political projects, including directing a series of commercials for the liber advocacy group People for the American Way in 1981, and directing a video for Artists United Against Apartheid in 1985.
Jonathan Demme died in New York in 2017.
- Processing information:
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Materials were left largely in the order they were recieved. Folder titles were transcribed when possible, and imposed where not provided. In some cases, binders were dissassembled and rehoused.
"Silence of the Lambs" series processed by Greg Baise, 2023.
"Philadelphia" series processed by Andrew Wilhelme, August 2024. Its material was rehoused and rearranged to follow the order of each sub-series, which generally follows the chronology of the film's production. Folder titles were transcribed when possible, and imposed where not provided or insufficient.
"Rachel Getting Married" series processed by Andrew Wilhelme, September 2024. Its material was rehoused and rearranged to follow the order of each sub-series, which generally follows the chronology of the film's production. Folder titles were transcribed when possible, and imposed where not provided or insufficient.
- Arrangement:
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The Jonathan Demme Papers are arranged chronologically by project, with each titled project being its own series. Materials are largely arranged as they arrived, with little intervention other than rehousing.
The "Silence of the Lambs" series is divided into 10 subseries by material type: Correspondence, Legal records, Business and Financial Records, Scripts, Production, Post-production, Distribution, Publicity, Awards, and Photographs. Materials within these subseries are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically, as applicable.
The "Philadelphia" series comprises seven sub-series by either record type or topic - Notebooks, Correspondence, Legal and Financial Records, Scripts, Production and Post-Production, Publicity and Distribution, and Awards and Events - and generally follows the chronology of the film's creation. The arrangement of files was imposed to correspond with the sub-series, though file contents remain in their original order.
The "Rachel Getting Married" series is composed of seven subseries by record type or topic - Correspondence, Legal Records, Financial Records, Scripts, Production, Post-Production, and Publicity - and generally follows the chronology of the film's creation. The arrangement of files was imposed to correspond with the sub-series, though file contents remain in their original order.
- Rules or Conventions:
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Describing Archives: A Content Standard
