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Canalli (John) photographs and video recordings

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Coll2009-007

Scope and Contents

The collection includes correspondence, miscellaneous papers, clippings, microcassettes, photographs, and video recordings from independent filmmaker John Canalli, circa 1978-2010. The bulk of the photographs documents Canalli and his friends as they dressed up for and attended drag queen events, mostly in San Francisco. The video recordings include DVDs and videocassettes of Canalli's film productions, including Wigstock documentaries and outtakes, the documentary Heroism : A Community Responds, programs from the Gay Cable Network, and excerpts from unfinished works. Also included are an interview with Canalli and a documentary retrospective of his work.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1978-2010
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1985 - 1992

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biography

Born on October 29, 1956, independent filmmaker John Canalli (also known by his family name Canaly) wrote and produced LGBT-themed dramas and documentaries. Active in LGBT film festival programming, Canalli served as Assistant Film Festival Director for the 9th International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 1985, where his dramatic short One Sings was screened. Canalli went on to develop the Gay Video Festival in San Francisco in 1986, and later co-developed west coast programming for the Gay Cable Network, which featured interview programs produced out of San Francisco and New York. Canalli also documented the AIDS crisis, writing and producing Heroism : A Community Responds, which highlighted the gay community coming together through Meals on Wheels and other forms of compassionate outreach. Among his most celebrated works, Canalli produced a number of video documentaries about Wigstock, a popular annual drag performance party in New York City's Tompkins Square Park. He died from complications from AIDS on March 25, 1992.

Extent

0.7 Linear Feet (1 archive carton.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs, video recordings, and personal papers, circa 1978-2010, from gay independent filmmaker John Canalli. The bulk of the photographs documents Canalli and his friends attending drag queen events in San Francisco. The video recordings include DVDs and videocassettes of Canalli's film productions, including Wigstock documentaries and outtakes, the documentary Heroism : A Community Responds, programs from the Gay Cable Network, and excerpts from unfinished works.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series:

Series 1. Papers and photographs

Series 2. Video recordings

Acquisition

Gift of Christine Canaly, July 30, 2009.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Michael Palmer; revised by Loni Shibuyama, May 2014.

Title
Finding Aid to the John Canalli Photographs and Video Recordings, circa 1978-2010
Status
Completed
Author
Loni Shibuyama
Date
(c) 2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Sponsor
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.

Repository Details

Part of the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California Repository

Contact:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771