Robert Forster script collection

The materials in the Robert Forster script collection (1963-2019) were collected by Forster during his career as an actor and are largely comprised of working scripts and revisions, notes, shooting schedules, correspondence and contracts concerning filming arrangements, thank you notes from actors and crew members Forster worked with, photographs, and newspaper and magazine reviews. A small number of DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes, and a VHS are present. Artifacts from filming include Forster's chair back panels from El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, and The Code, a prop ring in a canvas case from the TV Series Amazing Stories, set ID cards, a pencil, and a Chloraseptic throat lozenge in the original blister packaging. Several of Forster’s original clear vinyl folders, which he used as part of his methodical organization of his working materials, are included with the artifacts. Also present is one of the letter openers Forster habitually gave as gifts to actors and crew members he enjoyed working with. Materials in all series are arranged alphabetically by the title of the film, TV production, or play.

Series I: Films (1967-2018) contains scripts, notes, shooting schedules, correspondence about planning and travel arrangements, and photographs. Many scripts include revisions demonstrating the color-coding common to Hollywood script version control. Presentation portfolios from agencies and letters of introduction which were sent to Forster with accompanying scripts also demonstrate an established routine for communicating with prospective actors. There are also thank-you cards from actors and crewmembers Forster worked with, including Viggo Mortensen (with whom he worked on th 1998 remake of Psycho). Other notable items include canvas chair backs from two of Forster's roles, and the nomination certificate from the Screen Actor's Guild for outstanding performance in The Descendants.

Series II: TV Productions (1971-2018) includes materials from both TV series episodes and movies released on TV, many of which were often shot originally as pilot episodes of an unproduced series. The materials include scripts and revisions, notes, photographs, set call and shooting schedules, letters from agents and thank-you notes from actors and cast members, and some working contract agreement material. Artifacts in this series include an audiocassette with lines in Chinese which Forster used as a reference for his voiceover role in Todd McFarlane’s Spawn, and a prop ring in a canvas twill case from Amazing Stories.

Series III: Stage Plays (1963-2010) contains scripts, thank you notes, reviews, programs, sheet music, and photographs from Forster’s stage play appearances, including his 1963 Rochester appearance as Buddy Baker in Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn. Artifacts include a Chloraseptic throat lozenge in the original packaging.

Series IV: Miscellaneous Artifacts contains six of Forster's original vinyl organization folders, and one of the letter openers he habitually gave as gifts.