Series III. Law & Order, 1993-circa 2008, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series includes photographs, documents and memorabilia related to the show and spin-offs.
A large number of the photographs are of the show's set, cast, and crew. Individuals represented are, among others, cast members Steven Hill, Chris Noth, Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston, Ben Bratt, S. Epatha Merkerson, Dann Florek, Jill Hennessy, Jesse L. Martin, Carey Lowell, Angie Harmon, Bebe Neuwirth, Elisabeth Rohm, and Fred Thompson; guest stars William Kunstler, Fran Lebowitz, Laura Linney, and Elizabeth Ashley; producer Dick Wolf; and others. Some of the photographs are in color. Holds both 8x11 and 14x11 inch photographs.
Other photographs are of the crime scenes from various shows. These photographs depict the victim as presented in the show itself, along with images concerning the creation of the scene (make-up being applied, positioning and framing of the body, etc.). Book drafts, mock-ups, proposal, as well as the final published version of "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" are in the series.
The series holds a few documents including crew lists, a script and others. Some of these relate to "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." And the series holds some memorabilia. The documents and memorabilia are identified in the container list below.
Arrangement
The series is arranged by format, beginning with photographs, then documents and memorabilia.
Biographical / Historical
The television show "Law & Order" premiered on the NBC network on 13 September 1990. It would run for 20 seasons, until 2010, totalling 456 episodes, making it one of the longest running primetime TV series in American history. The one hour episodes would open with the discovery of a crime (typically a murder), with the balance of the time split between the police investigation and arrest of a suspect and the ensuing prosecution and trial. The show was so successful that it became a "brand" with spin-offs: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001-2011), "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005-2006), "Law & Order: LA" (2010-2011), and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," which began in 1999 and remains on the air as of 2018. There was also a 1998 movie "Exiled: A Law & Order Movie," starring Chris Noth, who appeared on the TV show for its first five seasons.
Over the years, the show's cast constantly evolved. Some of its major longstanding stars, who appear in Burstein's photographs here, include S. Epatha Merkerson (17 seasons), Sam Waterson (16 seasons), Jerry Orbach (12 seasons), Steven Hill (10 seasons), and Jesse L. Martin (9 seasons).
In 1993, the producer of "Law & Order,"'s producer, Dick Wolf, approached Jessica Burstein to photograph the show's crime scenes, which she did over the course of the next several years. These were eventually formed into a book by Wolf and Burstein: "Law & Order: Crime Scenes," published by Barnes & Noble Books in 2003. In addition to her crime scene assignment, Burstein's role was also expanded to be a unit photographer for the show.
(The above note was based primarily on information from NBC's website and the introduction to Dick Wolf's crime scenes book.)
Photographs. Law & Order
Scope and Contents
Includes both 8x11 and 14x11 inch photographs of the show's set, cast, and crew. Some color.
Photographs. Law & Order
Scope and Contents
Primarily includes photographs of the set, cast and crew, with some crime scene photographs. Includes both 8x11 and 14x11, with some color. One color photograph of actor Christopher Lloyd as a magician (2008) is inscribed to Burstein and autographed.
Photograph. Law & Order Cast on Jill Hennessy's Last Day (Flat box), 1996
Photographs. Law & Order. "The last goodbye. Jerry Orbach leaves Law & Order, May 2004.", 2004
Scope and Contents Note
Diptych, approximately 26x17 inches, on foamcore. Color photographs with Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin and S. Epatha Merkerson. Unframed by Alan Balicki, April 2018.
Photographs. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. (Flat box), circa 2005, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two large color photographs: "Set in Rain" (2005) and a pitbull arena/crime scene (undated).
Photographs. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes."
Scope and Contents
Primarily includes photographs, mock-ups, proofs, and other material related to the book "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" written by Dick Wolf, with photos by Burstein. Also a tear sheet and a publicity piece for an exhibition (2005) related to the book at George Eastman House. Some general cast shots are in this box as well.
Photographs. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" (8x10)
Scope and Contents Note
Holds the final book prints, used and not used.
Photographs. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" (8x10)
Scope and Contents
Holds photos of crime scenes, not necessarily used in the book.
Photographs. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" (Flat box), circa 2003, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Diptych of color photographs of bloodied faces for crime scenes.
Photographs. "Law & Order Crime Scenes." Oversize Photo Proof Sheets, 2003, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two large sheets with multiple photographs from the book.
Documents. "Play Dead: The Law & Order Crime Scene Book", circa 2003
Scope and Contents
Proposal for the crime scenes book.
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" Text Drafts (2 folders), 1997, 2003, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Holds various drafts of the text (circa 2003) and a partial list from NBC of summaries of shows shown in 1997.
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes." Mock-up for Chapter 2, 2003
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes.", 2003
Scope and Contents
Book as published, but without covers.
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes", 2003
Scope and Contents
A copy of the book as published.
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes" Photo Logs, 2003, inclusive
Documents. "Law & Order: Crime Scenes." Miscellaneous, 2003, 2005, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Three documents: a full page ad for the book in the New York Times; photocopy of a 1988 police report; reproduction of the script for the opening teaser of the episode "Oxymoron" of 2002; and publicity for a related exhibition at the Hudson River Museum (2005).
Documents. Law & Order. Cast, Crew and Set, 2005-2009, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Four documents: Season 15 2nd Yellow Final Crew List (2005); Pre-production schedule (13 September 2007); memo from Fred Berner re: "Season 18: The Revolutionary Evolution of Law & Order" (2008?); and crew call, signed by Sam Waterston (12 March 2009).
Documents. Law & Order Miscellaneous, 2004, 2009, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Five documents: a holiday party invitation (2004); a holiday card from Wolf Films (with a photo by Burstein) signed by Dick Wolf; a Special Collector's Issue of TV Guide on the occasion of Law & Order's 20th anniversary, with photos by Burstein and a specific section about her work on the set (2009); an Art Department Master List (undated); and an envelope with Law & Order/Wolf Films mailing label.
Documents. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Crew and Set, 2006-2009, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Five documents: Display permit(?) from New York City Mayor's Office for Season 5 filming; Yellow crew lists (Seasons 7 and 10); and Pink crew lists (Seasons 7 and 8).
Documents. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Still Photo Shoot Requirements, 2007 February-April, inclusive
Documents. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Full Pink Script for Episode "Trophy Wine", 2011 March 6
Documents. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Book: "Last Looks: Season Ten", 2011
Scope and Contents
Book with photographs and text by Burstein memorializing the cast and crew of Season 10. Signed by Burstein.
Poster: Exiled: A Law & Order Movie, [1999]
Scope and Contents Note
Burstein captioned on back "My poster for Exiled (N.Y. shots)" April 2018. Approx 24x30. Flattened by Alan Balicki, April 2018.
Memorabilia. "Hot Set" Sign, undated
Scope and Contents
Painted cardboard sign, presumably from the show set.
Memorabilia. Stage crew safety sign from set (Flat box), undated
Memorabilia. Tee Shirts & Caps, circa 1999-2005, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Six tee shirts (three related to Criminal Intent, one from the movie Exiled, two others related to the Law & Order crew); nine caps (two commemorating the 250th and 300th episodes; five labeled for the Special Victims Unit seasons 1999-2000 through 2002-2003, and the 100th episode in 2003-2004; two labeled for the Criminal Intent show); and a throw pillow. One of the caps has a thank you tag signed by executive producer Dick Wolf and others.
Memorabilia. Police Tape, circa 2005
Scope and Contents
One roll of yellow crime scene tape made for the exhibition at George Eastman House.
Memorabilia. ID cards, 2000s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two of Burstein's ID cards for the "Law & Order" set.