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John D. Coles (AC 1980) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MA.01008

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of director’s production materials from television and film projects directed by John D. Coles, including assorted research material about the Young Lords Project, an unproduced documentary about a Puerto Rican Nationalist group in the 1960s and 70s.

Series 1: Productions is organized into two sub-groups: Sub-series A: Production Files, 1981-2012, consists of scripts, storyboards, director’s notes, contact information, casting information, photographs, clippings, and assorted printed material related to television and film projects directed by Coles. Organized chronologically. Sub-series B: Production DVDs, consists of Digital Video Discs of television and film projects directed by Coles. Organized alphabetically by title.

Series 2: Young Lords Project consists of interviews, research, clippings, printed material, and FBI records.

Dates

  • Creation: 1980-2011

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There is no restriction on access to the John D. Coles (AC 1980) Papers for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.

Biographical / Historical

John Coles (AC 1980) is a New York-based award-winning film and television director. As an undergraduate, Coles directed “Going Through College,” a short film about his experience at Amherst. After graduating, Coles began a career in directing feature films, television and theater productions. He founded a production company, Talking Wall Pictures, for feature and television projects. His movie projects have included Signs of Life, Rising Son (1990), Darrow (1991), Friends at Last (1995), The Good Fight (1992), and Against Her Will (1994). Television series he has worked on have included “The West Wing,” “Sex and the City,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey's Anatomy” and “Damages.”

Extent

15 Linear feet (10 record storage boxes, one box DVDs)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains mainly production material related to John Coles’s directing career in feature films and television movies and series. Also included is Coles’s personal research material for an unproduced documentary on the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican nationalist group.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series:

  1. Series 1: Productions
  2. Series 2: Young Lords Project

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was the gift of John Coles.

Related Materials

Alumni Biographical Files; The Marshall Bloom (AC 1966) Alternative Press Collection contains issues of The Young Lord.

Author
Maria Kirigin (AC 2014), Student Assistant
Date
May 2012
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299