MOTION PICTURE FILM: the basics

Identifying formats

Common gauges 8mm Super 8 16mm 35mm

Unusual gauges 9.5mm 17mm 28mm

Identifying formats

Perforation shape Width 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 FADE SCRAPS

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

Identifying problems: ACETATE

Color fade

Color

Color reversal IB Technicolor

Date Codes

CONTAINERS: non-archival

FILM CAN COOKIE TIN

STORAGE CONTAINERS: archival

Archival can Archival 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 BENCH SPLICER

STORAGE: environmental conditions

COOL: 35-50F DRY: 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.