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MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics

MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics . Identifying formats. Common gauges. Unusual gauges. 8mm Super 8 16mm 35mm. 9.5mm 17mm 28mm. Identifying formats. Perforation shape. Width of the film. Identifying soundtracks. Magnetic *. Magnetic or optical. Stripe 8mm Super 8 16mm

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MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics

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  1. MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics

  2. Identifying formats Common gauges Unusual gauges 8mm Super 8 16mm 35mm 9.5mm 17mm 28mm

  3. Identifying formats Perforation shape Width of the film

  4. Identifying soundtracks Magnetic * Magnetic or optical • Stripe • 8mm • Super 8 • 16mm • 35mm • Fullcoat • 16mm • 17.5mm • 35mm * Prone to vinegar syndrome Magnetic Optical

  5. Identifying film base Nitrate (discontinued, 1952) Diacetate (safety film produced 1910-mid 1930s) Triacetate (most common safety stock) Polyester (modern safety stock)

  6. 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

  7. NITRATE edge markings: print and print-through

  8. NITRATE edge markings: hatch marks

  9. Tinted film

  10. 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

  11. NITRATE IMAGE FADE SCRAPS

  12. 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

  13. Freak film cartridges Cartridge super 8 Polavision Several types of cartridges for industrial & instructional films Polaroid's instant home movie Very dark, dense picture

  14. Identifying problems: ACETATE:VINEGAR SYNDROME

  15. Identifying problems: ACETATE

  16. Identifying problems: ACETATE

  17. Color fade

  18. Color Color reversal IB Technicolor

  19. Date Codes

  20. CONTAINERS: non-archival FILM CAN COOKIE TIN

  21. STORAGE CONTAINERS: archival Archival can Archival core

  22. What’s inside the film can … besides film Paperwork (keep, but separate) Misc. (discard) Lab papers Timing strips Paper clips Rubber bands Plastic bags Staples Other misc. non-film materials

  23. Handling film SPLIT REELS

  24. Proper wind Bad Good

  25. Handling film REWIND BENCH SPLICER

  26. STORAGE: environmental conditions COOL: 35-50F DRY: 20-40% RH

  27. 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

  28. ENEMIES OF FILM • Water • Heat & Humidity • Mold • Physical damage • Due to storage • Due to projector • Due to handling • Lack of interest

  29. 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

  30. DON’T THROW OUT YOUR FILM Even if you have preserved or made new copies of your film, keep the original in cold storage.

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