1. The View from the Film Reel: The Representation of Archivists in Film
Starring
Anne Daniel and Amanda Oliver
Introduction
This research project investigates how archivists are portrayed in film
It builds on previous studies about archivists in pop culture and archivists and identity
Methodology
Identified 77 films with archivists
Removed 34 films that did not contain archivists or due to availability of viewing copy of film
Collected data for 43 films with 46 archivists using a checklist
Analyzed the data
Research Questions
How are archivist represented in film?
Is there a clear image of archivists as presented in film?
Do the representations of archivists in film pose a risk to the archival profession?
Results: Name Given
Results: Job Title
Results: Screen Time
Job Title # %
Archivist 20
44%
Other Job Title 14
30%
Unidentified 12
26%
Total 46
100%
Screen Time # %
Less than 5 min 26
57%
6-10 min 7
15%
11-15 min 2 4%
16-20 min 1 2%
Over 20 min 10
22%
Total 46
100%
Name Given # %
Yes 26
56% No 15
33%
Job Title as Name 5
11%
Total 46
100%
Discussion
Archivists wielded power through unethical behaviour
Archivists with attitude
Isolation of the archivist, records and facility
Emphasis on front line tasks
Idea of all-knowing archivist
Conclusions
Film archivists did not adhere to stereotypes presented in the literature (meek, mild, quiet, etc.)
No clear representation of archivists in film
Lack of clear image may stem from lack of understanding of profession
Opportunity
To generate discussion about the profession within the archival community
For the archival profession to respond to these ambiguous images by engaging in outreach