Moving Images Film Amy Timshel and Aubrey Iglesias LI 827

The Format Moving images film Moving images film Celluloid film Celluloid film “Nitrate film” - Cellulose nitrate “Nitrate film” - Cellulose nitrate “Acetate film” or “safety film” - Cellulose acetate “Acetate film” or “safety film” - Cellulose acetate Polyester film - polyethylene teraphalate Polyester film - polyethylene teraphalate

From “The History of the Discovery of Cinematography”

History of the format Early 1800s Development of silver bromide, a light-sensitive emulsion Development of silver bromide, a light-sensitive emulsion Used on metal, leather, wood, canvas Used on metal, leather, wood, canvas Search begins for a clear, flexible, lightweight base Search begins for a clear, flexible, lightweight base1860s Development of plastic material called celluloid Development of plastic material called celluloid

Invention of Celluloid Film Eastman Kodak vs. Reverend Hannibal Goodwin

History 1880s-1890s Eastman Kodak and Hannibal Goodwin, an amateur inventor, fight over patent for celluloid film. Goodwin wins the bragging rights, Kodak wins the marketplace. Eastman Kodak and Hannibal Goodwin, an amateur inventor, fight over patent for celluloid film. Goodwin wins the bragging rights, Kodak wins the marketplace.1900s-1950s Nitrate film used for creating motion pictures Nitrate film used for creating motion pictures

History 1900s-1930s Color added to films by hand-tinting or using color filters Color added to films by hand-tinting or using color filters1930s Film color achieved by use of different chemicals in emulsion Film color achieved by use of different chemicals in emulsion1960s Nitrate film replaced with acetate film Nitrate film replaced with acetate film Less flammable Less flammable Believed to be more chemically stable, but not true Believed to be more chemically stable, but not true

History Polyester film Polyester film Developed in the fifties and sixties, but not widely used until the nineties Developed in the fifties and sixties, but not widely used until the nineties Used for duplicates and release prints, not for original camera stock. Used for duplicates and release prints, not for original camera stock. Less prone to chemical decomposition Less prone to chemical decomposition

Composition / construction “Motion picture film is an artifact that consists of a transparent plastic base on which a photographic emulsion has been coated. Both plastic base and emulsion are subject to degradation and it is impossible to separate them from one another.” ~ Read and Meyer, Restoration of Motion Picture Film

Life expectancy Dependent on storage conditions Dependent on storage conditions May last from a few months to several hundred years May last from a few months to several hundred years Limited history of format means furthest range is unknown Limited history of format means furthest range is unknown

Factors contributing to deterioration Heat – high temperatures accelerate decomposition and warping Heat – high temperatures accelerate decomposition and warping Moisture – pulls acids out of film base and into the air Moisture – pulls acids out of film base and into the air Mishandling – scratches on emulsion and tearing of base Mishandling – scratches on emulsion and tearing of base

Deterioration “The original artifact can be repaired and cleaned, but the process of self- destruction cannot be stopped.” ~ Read and Meyer, Restoration of Motion Picture Film

Deterioration Unless stored properly, film begins to warp and shrink Unless stored properly, film begins to warp and shrink Color film starts to fade Color film starts to fade Acids eat away at film base and emulsion, corrupting the image, rusting the film can Acids eat away at film base and emulsion, corrupting the image, rusting the film can Nitrate film eventually turns to dust Nitrate film eventually turns to dust Acetate film becomes sticky and develops a strong vinegar odor Acetate film becomes sticky and develops a strong vinegar odor

Color fading Chemicals in the cyan and yellow emulsions deteriorate more quickly, which often leaves a film with a pinkish cast. Chemicals in the cyan and yellow emulsions deteriorate more quickly, which often leaves a film with a pinkish cast.

Handling considerations Clean work surface and cotton gloves Clean work surface and cotton gloves Step 1: Opening can Step 1: Opening can Step 2: Using rewinds Step 2: Using rewinds Step 3: Viewing Step 3: Viewing

Storage considerations Too dry—brittleness & shrinking Too dry—brittleness & shrinking Too much moisture and heat — accelerates chemical deterioration & mold Too much moisture and heat — accelerates chemical deterioration & mold

Storage conditions Appropriate storage enclosures Appropriate storage enclosures Ideal temperature: as low as possible Ideal temperature: as low as possible Ideal average relative humidity: 20%-30% Ideal average relative humidity: 20%-30% Film in lower picture is older than top, but has been stored in cool, dry conditions Film in lower picture is older than top, but has been stored in cool, dry conditions

Treatment Film cleanser for mold, mildew, fungi Film cleanser for mold, mildew, fungi Repair splices Repair splices Wet-gate printing for scratches Wet-gate printing for scratches Digital image restoration Digital image restoration Re-dimensioning Re-dimensioning

Digital image restoration

Reformatting options Reformatting options Film-to-film duplication Film-to-film duplication VHS videotape, digital videotape, digitization VHS videotape, digital videotape, digitization

Exhibition / loan considerations Limited projecting Limited projecting Access copies Access copies Public access increases awareness and support for preservation Public access increases awareness and support for preservation

Image Credits Slide 5: Slide 5: Plume House and Goodwin- Blog L Craig Schoonmaker newarkusa.blogspot. com/2007_02_01_archive.html Plume House and Goodwin- Blog L Craig Schoonmaker newarkusa.blogspot. com/2007_02_01_archive.html Eastman - Eastman - Kodak building - Kodak building - Slide 9: Slide 9: Film reel - Blog of A.M. Carter Film reel - Blog of A.M. Carter Slide 12: Slide 12: Decomposing film - Society for Cinephiles / Cinecon cinecon_filmpreservation.html Decomposing film - Society for Cinephiles / Cinecon cinecon_filmpreservation.html cinecon_filmpreservation.html cinecon_filmpreservation.html Slide 15: Slide 15: White gloves - Print File Archival Products - White gloves - Print File Archival Products - Slide 17: Slide 17: Nitrate film in good and bad condition – Nitrate film in good and bad condition – Slide 19: Slide 19: Restored film - Der digitale Filmrestaurationsprozess - Restored film - Der digitale Filmrestaurationsprozess -