Joseph Lovett Papers
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Abstract
Joseph Lovett is a documentary film and television producer, writer, and director whose films have focused on raising awareness on health and LGBTQ issues. As a producer at ABC's 20/20, he became known for developing some of the first televised investigations into the AIDS epidemic and the inaction of the U.S. government. Additionally, he is known for producing In a New Light, an AIDS awareness primetime special from the 1990s; directing and writing Cancer: Evolution to Revolution (2001) for HBO; and directing and writing the feature-length film Gay Sex in the 70s (2005). The Joseph Lovett Papers (1979-2006) consist of materials related to film and television productions that were created and collected by Lovett. Materials include transcripts, research materials, and graphics for various 20/20 segments, In a New Light, and Gay Sex in the 70s.
Biographical Note
Joseph Lovett is a documentary film and television producer, writer, and director whose films have focused on raising awareness on health and LGBTQ issues. Lovett started his career as a freelance editor and assistant working on networks, features, and industrials. Around 1974, he started working as an editor and producer at CBS News Magazine. In 1977, he produced his first film for CBS, Parents of Gays. In 1979, Lovett became a producer at ABC's 20/20, where he developed some of the first televised investigations into the AIDS epidemic and the inaction of the U.S. government. Additionally, he produced stories on Mike Tyson, the Duvaliers, and airline safety, among other subjects. In 1989, Lovett founded Lovett Productions, Inc. (later, Lovett Stories + Strategies), where he produced, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and ABC, In a New Light. In a New Light was a five-year AIDS awareness primetime special televised in the 1990s. In 2001, Lovett won a Peabody Award for writing, producing, and directing HBO's Cancer: Evolution to Revolution. His first feature, Gay Sex in the 70s, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2005, and was broadcast on the Sundance Channel in 2007. Over the years, advocacy organizations have honored Lovett with numerous awards, such as the AIDS Leadership Award.
Source cited:
Lovett Productions. "Joseph Lovett." Accessed July 26, 2023. https://lovettproductions.com/joseph-lovett/.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
The Joseph Lovett Papers (dated 1979-2006) consist of materials related to film and television productions that were created and collected by Lovett. Materials include transcripts and research materials (articles, clippings, and reports) for 20/20 segments produced by Lovett; most of the segments covered AIDS, but there are additional segments on Mike Tyson, Teddy Pendergrass, and aviation. Additionally, there are transcripts, correspondence, reviews, and publicity materials for the educational outreach program on AIDS called In a New Light. Also included are notes, photographs, and graphics for Gay Sex in the 70s and The Accident, documentaries produced, directed, and written by Lovett. The collection documents media coverage of LGBTQ health issues, with particular focus on the AIDS epidemic, including activism, public perception, and institutional responses.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Joseph Lovett are maintained by New York University. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from Fales Library and Special Collections. Please contact Fales Library and Special Collections, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Joseph Lovett Papers; MSS 629; box number; folder number or item identifier; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Joseph Lovett in May 2023. The accession number associated with this donation is 2023.040.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact Fales Library and Special Collections, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596 with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
Appraisal
Financial materials from Lovett's company, Lovett Productions, were appraised out of the collection.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in acid-free boxes and folders in their original order, described on the collection-level, and inventoried at the box-level.
