film preservation; a first glance elif rongen-kaynakçi glasgow, 12 may 2008
TRANSCRIPT
Film preservation; a first glance
Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi
Glasgow, 12 may 2008
Terminology of Film preservation:
Preservation (active/passive)
- conservation
- duplication
- restoration
- (various levels of) access
Restoration
Film restoration always involves making copies
[it does not mean restoring the ‘original’]
Film preservation
A short introduction on film
(from DVD EXOTIC EUROPE)
How to become a film friendly archivist?
Find out what you have. See for yourself!
Trust inspection more than old catalogues.
Nitrate or safety?
• Nitrate (always 35mm)• Safety [aka acetate]: all kinds of formats.• Polyester
Tinting and toning of the silent film [image: courtesy of Filmarchiv Austria]
Which format?
Different gauges (8mm to 70mm)• http://www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/filmsize.html
(Lumiere frame)
Film layers
• Film base• Emulsion
Nitrate decompostion
Check for physical decay!
Nitrate decomposes from day one…
• http://www.filmpreservation.org/ (preservation basics)
Nitrate is very flammable!
• http://www.movieeditor.com/2005/nitrate.fire.html
Vinegar syndromeCheck for physical decay!
Acetate also decomposes from day one…
• http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org
but its status can be checked by proven methods such as A-D strip testing.
Free to download:
preservation calculator
Interpreting A-D Strip Results source: IPI
A-D Strip Level Film Condition
Recommended Actions
0 Good—no deterioration Cool or cold storage
1 Fair to Good—deterioration startingCold storageMonitor closely
1.5Rapid decay starting—point of autocatalytic decay Cold or frozen storage
2 Poor—actively degradingFreezeCopying advisable
3Critical—shrinkage and warping imminent, possible handling hazard
Freeze immediatelyCopy
Try to avoid physical decay!
Find proper storage!
Check your storage and make it better, if possible.
Separate decaying material!
Calculate the life expentancy of your material!
identification• What are we looking for?
Identification from content or physical properties
[image: courtesy of Filmarchiv Austria]
soundtrack
Check physical characteristics
Soundtracks
• http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/sound/soundsamples.htm
inspection
Trust your own eyes.
Inspect material for physical damage and for damage printed in.
• http://diamant.joanneum.at/film_restoration
Time to exercise:
See for yourself!
Take a look at your sample.
Try to describe it.
What do you think it is?
After inspection: Make decisions.
How important is this film to you?
Does it need immediate attention?
If you don‘t find it suitable for your collection, where else could it be needed?
How will you preserve this film?
Depending on your:- Budget- Purpose- Access channels
“Curatorial zone”
• Prioritize your projects• Document what you are doing• Keep your catalog updated
Once you have a clear picture of your collection:
Tell others! Join MIC
http://mic.imtc.gatech.edu/index.php
If you want to learn more: Join your colleagues at the AMIA List-serve
http://www.amianet.org/