Recollecting Collecting: A Film and Media Perspective

This book explores the diverse world of collecting film and media-related materials, highlighting the motivations and types of collections. It examines a variety of fascinating collected materials, including films, fan magazines, records, comics, action figures, design artifacts, costumes, and props, and considers the significance of these collections in film and media studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Wayne State University Press

This captivating volume delves into the diverse realm of collecting film and media-related materials, offering valuable insights into the theories of collecting and representations of collecting and collections in film. Through the insightful introduction of Lucy Fischer, the reader is introduced to the significance of collections of film ephemera and other media-related collections in understanding the intricate relationship between material culture and film and media studies. Fischer highlights that collectors possess diverse motivations and types of collections, adding depth to the exploration.

The subsequent eleven chapters showcase the analysis of a diverse range of fascinating collected materials by media studies scholars. These include Doris Day magazines, Godzilla action figures, and LEGOs, among many other intriguing items. While most contributors focus on their personal collections, some also provide valuable insights into specific collections of others. It is noteworthy that collections, initially begun as informal and personal, have undergone significant growth, accretion, and reorganization to serve as valuable teaching and research materials in the field of film and media studies. Readers are granted glimpses into diverse collections, encompassing films, fan magazines, records, comics, action figures, design artifacts, costumes, props, and more. These collections include iconic items such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer costumes, Planet of the Apes publicity materials, and Amazing Spider Man comics.

Recollecting Collecting takes a profound and multifaceted approach to interrogating and illustrating the meaning and practical nature of film and media collections. It explores the vast array of personal and professional motivations behind their assemblage, shedding light on the diverse tapestry of collectors and their motivations. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive exploration of the world of collecting and its profound impact on our understanding of film and media.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780814348550