MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics
Identifying formats Common gauges 8mm Super 8 16mm 35mm Unusual gauges 9.5mm 17mm 28mm
Identifying formats Perforation shapeWidth of the film
Identifying soundtracks Magnetic * Stripe 8mm Super 8 16mm 35mm Fullcoat 16mm 17.5mm 35mm * Prone to vinegar syndrome Magnetic or optical Magnetic Optical
Identifying film base Nitrate (discontinued, 1952) Diacetate (safety film produced 1910-mid 1930s) Triacetate (most common safety stock) Polyester (modern safety stock)
NITRATE 35mm only Manufactured before 1952 Creates its own oxygen source as it burns Storage issues: must be NFPA40- compliant – cannot be stored at HD Shipping issues: use hazardous materials rules for shipping
NITRATE edge markings: print and print-through
NITRATE edge markings: hatch marks
Tinted film
Identifying problems: NITRATE DECOMPOSITION Stage 1: amber discolorization, faint odor, rusty ring on metal film can Stage 2: emulsion sticky, stinkier Stage 3: film is soft, contains gas bubbles, smells bad Stage 4: film is soft and a solid mass, possibly covered in froth Stage 5: film has become powder
NITRATE IMAGE FADESCRAPS
The SMELL of film Healthy NITRATE smells sweet Rotting NITRATE smells like rotting bananas or like stinky feet Film stored with camphor smells like CAMPHOR (mothballs) Decomposing acetate film smells like VINEGAR
Freak film cartridges Cartridge super 8 Several types of cartridges for industrial & instructional films Polavision Polaroid's instant home movie Very dark, dense picture
Identifying problems: ACETATE: VINEGAR SYNDROME
Identifying problems: ACETATE
Color fade
Color Color reversalIB Technicolor
Date Codes
CONTAINERS: non-archival FILM CANCOOKIE TIN
STORAGE CONTAINERS: archival Archival canArchival core
What’s inside the film can … besides film Paperwork (keep, but separate) Lab papers Timing strips Misc. (discard) Paper clips Rubber bands Plastic bags Staples Other misc. non-film materials
Handling film SPLIT REELS
Proper wind Bad Good
Handling film REWIND BENCHSPLICER
STORAGE: environmental conditions COOL: 35-50FDRY: 20-40% RH
Harvard Depository Special film vault section Best storage conditions for motion picture film (40F, 35%RH) Arrange with HD before sending material Do not send video (or other non-film) into film vault More expensive than other HD storage
ENEMIES OF FILM Water Heat & Humidity Mold Physical damage Due to storage Due to projector Due to handling Lack of interest
Priorities for Preservation “Nitrate won’t wait” – check all 35mm material Decomposing material Vinegar Syndrome Unique material Home movies Amateur film Film made for Harvard
DON’T THROW OUT YOUR FILM Even if you have preserved or made new copies of your film, keep the original in cold storage.