The Prêt-à-Porter series (49 linear feet, 1 oversized box) consists of material from the 1994 film directed by Robert Altman and co-written by Robert Altman and Barbara Shulgasser. The film was distributed by Miramax Films, with a title of Ready to Wear for the U.S. release. The film's actors include Lauren Bacall, Kim Basinger, Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Stephen Rae, Julia Roberts, Tim Robbins and Forest Whitaker, among many others.
The legal sub-series contain numerous agreements including those for the actors, crew, musicians and Altman. There is also a significant amount of correspondence concerning budget agreements. The legal files -- Walsh, Jerome sub-series includes documents regarding lawsuits, including the lawsuit designer Karl Lagerfeld filed against Miramax Films and Robert Altman.
Business and financial is the largest sub-series in the collection, including payroll for the cast and crew, vendor histories and five general ledgers from both France and the United States. Within this sub-series are the files of Danielle Sotet, Altman's accountant. These files are arranged separately within the sub-series and contain material regarding topics such as cost reports, financial reports and audits.
The series includes 26 versions of the Prêt-à-Porter script, including a shooting script and the original 1984 treatment by Robert Altman and Joan Tewkesbury. The production and post-production sub-series include documents regarding plot synopsis, cast lists, shooting schedules and an assortment of information on specific designers featured in the film. There are also a significant number of materials regarding the end credits of the film.
Documents regarding music submissions from record labels, cue sheets and arrangement ideas can be found in the music and scores sub-series. In the publicity and distribution sub-series, material regarding screenings, various film premieres, articles and international press clippings can be found. The photographic material consists of contact sheets, slides, and pictures taken while on the set as well as during the Cannes Film Festival.
