J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
Trent Harris papers
Harris, Trent
ACCN 2175
17.5 linear feet
29 boxes, 1 map case folder
1960s-2020
The Trent Harris papers (1960s-2020) contain his original screenplays, research, correspondence, and ephemera. There are also screenplays by other writers. Trent Harris is a Utah documentarian and independant film maker, whose projects include the famous Beaver Trilogy, Rubin and Ed, and the cult classic Plan 10 from Outer Space.
English
.
The Trent Harris papers (1960s-2020) contain his original screenplays, research, correspondence, and ephemera. There are also screenplays by other writers. Trent Harris is a Utah documentarian and independant film maker, whose projects include the famous
Beaver Trilogy, Rubin and Ed, and the cult classic Plan 10 from Outer Space.
Boxes 6-15 were added in 2015 and include articles, reviews, research materials, screenplays, correspondence, and posters pertaining to Trent Harris' writings (
Mondo Utah and Wild Goose Chroncles), his films (Rubin and Ed, ZYZZYX, Delightful Water Universe...), and documentaries includingCement Ball of Earth, Heaven, and Hell.
Boxes 23-29 and map case folder 1 were added in 2024 and include artist books and postcards by Harris, as well as production material for
Echo People. Map Case folder 1 contains posters for Rubin and Ed and Beaver Trilogy.
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Boxes 1-4 (2.5 linear feet) Purchased from Trent Harris in 2004.
Boxes 6-10, 12-15 (5.75 linear feet) were received from Ken Sanders Rare Books in 2011.
Box 11 (1 linear feet) received from Trent Harris in 2014.
Boxes 15-22 were purchased from Trent Harris in 2017.
Boxes 23-29 and map case folder 1 were purchased from Trent Harris in 2021.
Processed by Elizabeth Rogers in 2006.
Addenda from 2011 and 2014 processed by Chelsea Olsen in 2015.
Addendum from 2017 processed by Kristina Barksdale in 2019.
Addendum from 2021 processed by Kristina Barksdale in 2024.
Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.
Forms part of the Utah Independent Film Archive (UIFA).
Harris, Trent--Archives
Motion picture producers and directors--Utah--Salt Lake City--Archives
Motion pictures, American--Utah--Sources
Motion picture industry--Utah--Sources
Film posters, American--Utah--Specimens
Performing Arts
Correspondence
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Diaries
Watercolors
Screenplays
Posters
Ephemera
Brochures
Contracts
Storyboards
Original movies
"The Beaver Kid" script
1
1
"The Beaver Trilogy" clippings
2000
1
2-3
Correspondence
1980-1981
1
4
This correspondence is from Dick Griffiths, the person on whom the Beaver Kid is based.
"Plan 10 from Outer Space" script
1
5
"Plan 10 from Outer Space" storyboards
1
6
"Plan 10 from Outer Space" articles and clippings
1987-2000
1
7-8
"Plan 10 from Outer Space" ephemera
1
9
This folder contains color copies. The originals are in the reserve collection.
"Rubin and Ed" screenplay
1
10
"Rubin and Ed" prints
1
11
Shot list and notes
1
12
Movie ideas and research
Cattle mutilation articles and notes
2
1-2
"Summer of Love" original screenplay
2
3
Correspondence
1976-1979
2
4
Charles Manson articles
2
5-6
Joyce McKinney
1977-1979
2
7-8
Film festivals and screenplays
Bicknell Film Festival articles and clippings
1998-2000
3
1-3
Film festival brochures
3
4
Cinema In Your Face
3
5
Correspondence and articles
1997-2002
3
6-7
Ronnie Rocket
3
8
David Lynch
Wild at Heart
3
9
David Lynch
The Lost Highway
3
10
David Lynch
The Cradle will Rock
3
11
Orson Welles
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
3
12
Karen Black
Marketing materials
"Trent Harris, A Public Relations Proposal"
4
Articles about Trent Harris
Life and Career
1960s
1984
1994-2009
5
1
General materials
1960s
1984
1994-2009
5
2
Writings, reviews, and research materials
Articles
1995-1997
5
3
General short writings
5
4
"Kiss My Butt You Filthy Beast" Facebook compilation
2010
5
5
Bruce Connor correspondence
2006
5
6
Wild Goose Chronicles news releases
5
7
Mondo Utah
Reviews
1996-1998
6
1
Sundance resort fire research
6
2
Manti research
6
3
Research on Ogden polygamist cult led by Arvin Sheeve
1986-1990
6
4
Mark Hoffman research
6
5
"Mormon"/LDS Church research
1988-1997
6
6-7
Latter-Day Messenger
1999
6
8
General Utah news clippings/articles
1980-1999
6
9-11
Utah newspapers
1997-1999
2005
6
12
General research
6
13
Films
Rubin and Ed
Original screenplay
7
1
Contract/confirmation to direct
1990
7
2
Fungus the Bogeyman
TV Pilot original screenplay
7
3
Freelance Television Writer's Agreement
1993
7
4
Plan 10 from Outer Space
Original screenplay
7
5
Plan 10 Production LTD v. Wade Williams
1993-1994
7
6-8
Deal memos
1994-1996
7
9
Box office totals
1994-1995
7
10
Expenses and accounting records
1994-1995
7
11
Video distribution agreement with LEO Home Video
1996-1998
7
12
Plan 10 Productions Limited Partnerships
1993-1995
7
13
Plan 10 Productions LTD receipts
7
14
ZYZZYX
Original screenplay
1987
8
1
Original screenplay
1991
8
2
Summary and general materials
1992
8
3
Original screenplay
circa 1998
8
4
The Beaver Trilogy
Articles
2001
2009
8
5
Correspondence inquiring about music rights
8
6
Delightful Water Universe
Original screenplay
2007
8
7
Original screenplay
2008
8
8
Storyboards, shooting plan, and shot lists
2009
8
9
Reviews
2009
8
10
General film materials
"Summer of Love" screenplay
9
1
"When the Mode of the Music Changes the Walls of the City Shake." Plato, screenplay
2009
9
2
"The Product of Liability" television production contract
9
3
Articles on films
2008
2012
9
4
"Mr. Mondo" Salt Lake City Weekly
2009
10
1
"Utah's Alternative Pioneers," Salt Lake City Weekly
2009
10
2
"Interview with Trent Harris," de Filmkrant
2014
10
3
Film posters
11
"Mondo Utah"
"The State of the Union"
"Plan 10 from Outer Space"
"The Beaver Trilogy"
"When the mode fo the music changes the walls of the city shake - plato"
"Delightful Water Universe"
"Beyond Mondo Utah"
"Trent Harris Shameless Self Promotion"
"Needle Nose Art"
"The Cement Ball of Earth, Heaven, and Hell"
Documentaries
Pasola
Application to University of Utah
12
1
Pasola ritual research
12
2
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly transcripts
12
3
Cement Ball of Earth, Heaven, and Hell
Documentary on Cambodia Land Mines.
Articles
2000-2002
12
4
Correspondence supporting visa for Aki Ra
2002
12
5
Newspapers and articles on Cambodia
1997
2000-2004
12
6-8
Research materials
Turkmenistan correspondence
2004
13
1
Sierra Leone, Africa research
1999-2004
2009
13
2-3
Sierra Leone travel arrangement/reimbursements
circa 2004
13
4
Correspondence regarding refugee asylum for Edwin Evans Koi
2008-2009
13
5
Cao Dai research
13
6
Thailand Monk correspondence with Sue Darlington
2009
13
7
Articles/correspondence on sex trafficking in Cambodia
2009
13
8
Mexico contacts, Juarez, Mexico
13
9
Newspaper clippings/articles, Juarez, Mexico
2009-2010
13
10
Charles Manson correspondence
1976-1987
14
1-4
This correpondence includes letters written to Charles Manson from various individuals during his time in prison in Vacaville, California. Trent Harris was doing research on Charles Manson for a future project that was never produced.
Personal journals
Harris' Sierra Leone journal
2004-2005
15
1
Harris' Bangkok/Burma/Cambodia/Mexico journal
2005-2006
15
2
Harris' travel/personal journals
2007-2010
15
3-4
Harris' journal, Luna Mesa notes
2010
15
5
Harris' journals, Luna Mesa notes and reshoot
2010-2011
16
1-2
Harris' journals
2011-2012
16
3-5
Correspondence
Personal mementos and correspondence
1972-2011
17
1-2
Miscellaneous correspondence, contracts, flyers, and articles
1977-2016
17
3-4
Bob Moss correspondence, articles, and event flyers
2003-2012
17
5
Artwork and miscellaneous journals
Travel/art notebook
2009
18
1
Personal/travel journal
2001
18
2
Illustrations for Fate is a Hairy Rodent
2003-2006
18
3
Watercolors for Bruce and Me animation
18
4
Art book 1, Pain
2007
18
5
Art book 2, Sorrow
2007
18
6
Art book 3, Grief
2007
18
7
Art book 4, Anger
2007
18
8
Art book, The London Book
2007
18
9
Paper costume cards
18
10
Production materials
Postcard scripts
2012-2014
19
1-2
Luna Mesa scripts and notes
19
3
Storyboards for ZYZZYX film
19
4
Storyboards for Ancient Alien SHoes
19
5
Rubin and Ed premiere
1991
19
6
Plan 10 From Outer Space Sundance premiere
1995
19
7
Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata selection book
19
8
Newspapers from Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata
2015
19
9
Lausame Underground Film and Music Festival schedule
2014
19
10
Articles from film festivals
2012-2015
19
11
Interview lists for past projects
19
12
Welcome to the Rubber Room set designs and inspiration photos
20
1
Welcome to the Rubber Room storyboards and production notes
20
2
Welcome to the Rubber Room script
2016
20
3
Welcome to the Rubber Room press kit
20
4
Welcome to the Rubber Room promotional post cards
20
5
Notes and articles on Trent Harris
Notes on some Trent Harris films
1977-2003
21
1
S Magazine Pilgrim's Process article on Harris
2011
21
2
Articles
2009-2013
21
3
Articles and reviews
1975-2014
21
4
Oversize materials
Film posters and promotional materials
2005-2015
22
- "Mondo Movie"
- "Luna Mesa"
- "Plan 10 from Outer Space"
- "The Beaver Trilogy"
- "Rubin and Ed"
- "Delightful Water Universe"
- "Welcome to the Rubber Room"
- "The Cement Ball of Earth, Heaven, and Hell"
Artist books, post cards, posters, and "Echo People" production material
"The Menace, The Grandiose" art prints
23
Art postcards and article
2019
24
Artist book
2007
25
1
Artist book
2007
25
2
Artist book
2007
25
3
Artist book
2009
25
4
Artist book
2009
25
5
"Mexico" artist book
2010
25
6
Artist book
2015
25
7
"Book of Weather" artist book
26
1
"Bruce" artist book
26
2
"Trent's Atlas" artist book
26
3
"The Ant Opera" artist book, signed
2020
26
4
"Curiosa: Created to Loosen the Limbs and Weaken the Mind" artist book, signed
2020
26
5
Artist book
26
6
Artist book/photo diary
27
1
Artist book
27
2
"Echo People" episode one filming materials
28
1
"Echo People" episode two filming materials
28
2
"Echo People" episode three filming materials
28
3
Flyers
2003-2019
28
4
"Today at the Duck Pond" short story
2020
28
5
Posters, "Rubin and Ed" and "Beaver Trilogy"
1
Production materials and issue of Utah Postcard News
"Rubin and Ed" articles, reviews, and promo material
1991-1993, 2003
29
1
"Rubin and Ed" premiere poster
29
2
"Rubin and Ed" produciton information
29
3
"Plan 10: From Outer Space" materials
29
4
"Plan 10: From Outer Space" promo, dialogue list with time code
2018
29
5
"Orkly Kid" screening invitation, "Plan 10: From Outer Space" Deseret alphabet font
29
6
Includes floppy disk.
Utah Postcard News, volume 9, June
1995
29
7