MSS 171, PC 186 (A.99-67, A.99-84, A.00-43, A.01-35, A.04-109)

Title: Steve Snyder fonds

Dates: [ca. 1980]-2004

Extent: 1.65 m of textual records and other material (Note: Includes 7 drawings, 60 photographs, 10 film reels, 67 videocassettes and 2 audio cassettes)

Biographical Sketch: William Steven Snyder obtained his B.A.O. and M.A. degrees from the University of Idaho before completing a P.H.D. from the University of Florida. In 1976 he was hired by the University of Manitoba's English Department to teach Film Studies and is currently an associate professor. In 1980-1981 he enrolled in a filmmaking course at the San Francisco Art Institute and began making short films. He has maintained a long friendship with the internationally acclaimed local filmmaker Guy Maddin, helping him in most of his projects. He worked as a photographer on Maddin's first film "The Dead Father" and has acted in others including "Archangel". For the film shot of "Careful", he was the project's official diarist. In 2005 Snyder appears as a newspaperman in Jeff Solylo’s movie, “East of Euclid”.

Custodial History: The contents of the fonds were donated to the University of Manitoba Archives by Steve Snyder in 1999 (A.99-67, A.99-84), 2000 (A.00-43), 2001 (A.01-35) and 2004 (A. 04-109).

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of correspondence, a notebook, photographs, and articles. The fonds also includes a copy of the film "Archangel" as well as the log books and continuity books for "Careful" given to Snyder by Director Maddin and Producer Greg Klymkiew. The log books detail every aspect of the shoot and were integral to Snyder's work as diarist on the film. There is also a draft of script that Maddin did on teen pregnancy and a script draft by Paul Donovan. The 2004 accession includes pages from a diary Snyder kept while on the set of “Heart of the World,” a treatment for “Cowards Bend the Knee” and articles and reviews of Maddin’s work. There are 55 photographs, mainly taken by Snyder on the sets of Maddin’s films. There are also 67 videocassettes with footage from the filming of “Dracula,” “The Saddest Music in the World” and other recent films by, or featuring, Guy Maddin and 2 audio cassettes.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material

Accruals: Further accruals are expected

Finding Aid: On-line finding aids are available at the link below and printed finding aids are available in the Archives & Special Collections' reading room.

MSS 171 (A.01-35)

MSS 171, PC 186 (A.04-109)

We greatly acknowledge the financial support of the Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the Heritage Grants Advisory Council in the creation of this finding aid.