| Post Magazine: October 19, 2000
HISTORIC FILMS ROCKS
At Historic Films (www.historicfilms.com) in East Hampton, N.Y.,
their Web site and e-mail have been quite busy with inquires, according
to President Joe Lauro. That prompted the next two phases of expansion
now underway on their web site. Working with NYC's Lynn Creative
Inc., and key staff people at Historic Films, the stock house's
site will provide easier and more specific searches as well as some
special clips downloadable for people's enjoyment. "That includes
some unusual clips from out of our wonderful music footage library
- the Howlin' Wolf to Elvis Presley", says Lauro. "Music is one
of the things that keeps us different from some of our competitors."
Although the very expensive text search will stay, Historic Films
is in the process of having footage online to assist in a research
project. Accordingly, a century's world of images will continue
to be digitized. "I see the Web as a good starting point, rather
that a complete way of doing a job at this point," explains Lauro.
"It's a way to get the researchers and the producers that need footage
at least aware that we have material." Historic Films offers immediate,
expert research help from a staff of experienced archivists.
The Muddy Waters footage from 1960 is an example of very rare
footage, since they're the earliest known clips of the singer. There's
disco-era material as well. "Every time we have a new collection,
it will be previewed on our Web site. You'll soon be able to click
into a clip."
A new collection at Historic Films features Jubilee Showcase,
a Chicago television show from the '60's through the '80's. "It's
probably the most definitive program of black gospel music ever,"
declares Lauro. "It's wonderful for people doing music-based documentaries
of videotapes." Such high profile Gospel performers as The Soul
Stirrers, The Staple Singer and Reverend Thomas A. Dorsey are featured
on the show.
Among other new collections, there will soon be a huge fashion
library available, including fashions and lifestyles of the 1980's
and 90's. "It's also exciting that we're handling the Woodstock
'99 material, which has last year's Millennium celebration, with
everyone from Jewel to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and all the subsequent
mayhem that went on at the concert. It's great lifestyle music of
our era." |
