Production Notebook

Series 1, Episodes (boxes 1-108), forms the bulk of the collection and is arranged chronologically by season and then according to airdate. The amount of material for each episode varies, but typical documents include numerous drafts of the script, outlines, and notes. Episodes written by donor Jim Dauterive are more fully represented with additional research materials, multiple writer’s drafts, note cards, and storyboards. Of note in this series is material documenting the pilot episode (box 1), written by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. Also included is a photocopy of the original pilot written by Judge. For the first eight episodes, there are corresponding production notebooks that were originally housed in three-inch binders. The contents of these binders remain in the original order but are separated into several folders. These binders originated from Executive Producer and co-creator, Greg Daniels’ office at Fox. Arranged in reverse-chronological order, they show evidence of the production history of each episode, from story pitch to final broadcast. In addition to drafts of each script, they typically include additional notes, memos, Broadcast and Standards communications, casting lists, and sometimes storyboards. As with the other Episode materials, the contents vary by episode, and a complete listing of what is in each binder can be found in the container list. There are only a handful of production notebooks for seasons nine and ten, and none for season eleven, which is still in production [as of March 2007]. The episode list for season eleven is incomplete, and materials include only outlines and writer’s drafts. The exception to this is “Lucky’s Wedding Suit,” for which there are numerous drafts, notes, and storyboards (boxes 106-108). This episode was written by Dauterive and was originally scheduled to air as the series finale. When the series was renewed, it became the finale for season eleven instead. Season eleven materials include outlines and 5 drafts for some episodes that have not yet been aired. Following the unaired episodes from season eleven is a binder of “New Story Ideas,” housed in three folders (box 108). It includes pitches, outlines, and notes of stories listed according to working title. Some of these were eventually fully developed and aired under different titles.