Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1981-2005 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
84.3 m of textual records.
ca. 27,360 sound recordings
ca. 250 moving images.
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Pirate is the largest and most awarded advertising production company in Canada. Founded in Toronto in 1990, Pirate began in radio but has since expanded to television and the internet, has added a New York office, and as of 2012 operates 10 recording studios. The company specializes in voice, music, and sound design, and also employs music composers, script and concept writers, and a large team of producers and casting directors. Pirate is highly regarded in the industry for its innovation—it was one of the first studios to offer both writing and production services, one of the first to build its own studios, and has developed a rights-cleared music search engine for advertisers. Pirate’s early success attracted an ever-increasing client base from many different sectors of society including airlines, the automotive industry, charitable organizations, cultural and educational institutions, financial institutions, the food and beverage industry, governments and government agencies, media and telecommunication companies, retail stores, unions and more.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The first accrual consists of six series:
Series 1 – Case Files
Series 2 – Additional Case Files
Series 3 – Production Log Books
Series 4 – Additional Audio-Visual Material
Series 5 – Terry O’Reilly’s Files
Series 6 – Press, Promotional Material, and Awards
Series 1 is particularly significant, containing 12,000 case files documenting the creation of approximately 50,000 thirty-second radio and television commercials produced by Pirate Group Inc. (Toronto office) and its predecessor companies: O’Reilly Radio Inc., Robert Armes Inc., Shurman Armes Crawford, and The Air Company, from 1981 to 2005. These files document the entire production process from the initial phase through to the finished product, though some files are more complete than others. The material found in the file may include: concept presentations; casting sessions and auditions; ACTRA contracts and other actor contracts; script progression and revision; briefing documents; final recording-day scripts with directors notes; recording session schedules; music demos, final tracks, sheet music and lyrics; production edits; final audio mixes, element breakdown of the recording (voices, sound effects, music); final radio and TV commercials; budget estimates, quotations and final billing; etc.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
The first accrual (2011-029) was acquired in 2010 and the second accrual (2012-023) was acquired in 2012, both from Pirate Group Inc.
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Access restrictions:
Sound and video recordings: Master recordings may not be accessed. Where they exist, copy recordings may be accessed. Some copies are located with the archive itself as CDs, DVDs, etc. (indicated in the database by a box number), while others may be accessed as digital copies (indicated in the database by the term ‘digital copy’).
Paper files: Because files may contain personal information, such as employee information, access is restricted. Researchers may apply for access in writing by sending an email to archives@mcmaster.ca, providing their name and contact information, as well as the purpose of their research. They may also apply in person. Researchers will be required to sign a research agreement prior to accessing the paper files.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
First and second accrual: Case File Database
First accrual: Online Finding Aid
Second accrual: Online Finding Aid
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
