Michele Em papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 123.4309

Collection Scope and Content Note

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The materials in this collection document the game development process for published games such as Return to Zork and unpublished games such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" (developed in the early 1990s), focused primarily on the writing stage of game development. The materials in this collection highlight the business aspects of video game development from a script writer's point of view, such as contract negotiations and the role that labor unions play. The collection is made up of scripts, interactive screenplays, correspondence, memoranda, magazine and news articles, and an audiovisual component consisting of audio and VHS cassettes. The materials range from 1981 through 2007, with the bulk dates from 1982 through 2001.

The papers have been arranged into four series with one series further subdivided into subseries. The physical materials are housed in seven boxes and one over-sized folder. Additional scope and content information can be found in the Collection Inventory section of the finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 1981-2007
Creation: Majority of material found within 1982-1997

Creator

Em, Michele (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, they have given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Biographical Note

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Michele Em is a writer and producer based in California. She received a bachelor's degree in Design and Film at the Art Center College in 1977, and a master's degree in creative writing in 1989 at the University of New Mexico.

Em is a prolific writer, as she wrote the script for the 1993 computer game Return to Zork and the original unpublished "Pirates of the Caribbean" video game, which would serve as a precursor to the more famousPirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. Her writing career extended beyond video games, as she wrote film scripts forAn Afternoon with John Whitney (1991) andThe Zen Detectives (1996). She has published articles in industry magazines, periodicals, and books. Em taught at USC in the late 1990s and she continues to write and produce, with her most recent work being the documentaryBreaking Good(2019).

Full Extent

5.1 Linear Feet (7 document boxes, 1 oversized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of video game development documents from Return to Zork, an abandoned "Pirates of the Caribbean" game, and more games written by Michele Em. The materials date from 1981 through 2007, with the bulk of the dates from 1982 through 2001. The collection includes interactive screenplays, scripts, correspondence, expense reimbursement reciepts, sketches, promotion materials, audio and VHS cassettes, and game maps.

System of Arrangement

Series I: "Pirates of the Caribbean", 1991-1994, 2003

Series II: Return to Zork, 1992-1994

Series III: Other games, 1982, 1995-1998

Series IV: Career, 1981-2007

Subseries A: Teaching, 1997-1998

Subseries B: Writers Guild of America (WGA), 1992-1998

Subseries C: Publicity, 1981, 1991-2007

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers were donated to The Strong in November 2023 as a gift by Michele Em and accessioned by The Strong under object ID 123.4309. The collection was received from Michele Em in three boxes.