Moving Images FilmMoving Images Film
Amy Timshel and Amy Timshel and
Aubrey IglesiasAubrey Iglesias
LI 827LI 827
The FormatThe Format
Moving images filmMoving images filmCelluloid filmCelluloid film
““Nitrate film” - Cellulose nitrateNitrate film” - Cellulose nitrate
““Acetate film” or “safety film” - Cellulose Acetate film” or “safety film” - Cellulose acetateacetate
Polyester film - polyethylene teraphalate Polyester film - polyethylene teraphalate
From “The History of the Discovery of From “The History of the Discovery of Cinematography”Cinematography”
www.precinemahistory.netwww.precinemahistory.net
History of the formatHistory of the format
Early 1800sEarly 1800s Development of silver bromide, a light-Development of silver bromide, a light-
sensitive emulsion sensitive emulsion Used on metal, leather, wood, canvasUsed on metal, leather, wood, canvasSearch begins for a clear, flexible, Search begins for a clear, flexible,
lightweight baselightweight base
1860s1860s Development of plastic material called Development of plastic material called
celluloidcelluloid
Invention of Celluloid FilmInvention of Celluloid FilmEastman Kodak
vs.
Reverend Hannibal Goodwin
HistoryHistory
1880s-1890s1880s-1890sEastman Kodak and Hannibal Eastman Kodak and Hannibal
Goodwin, an amateur inventor, fight Goodwin, an amateur inventor, fight over patent for celluloid film. Goodwin over patent for celluloid film. Goodwin wins the bragging rights, Kodak wins wins the bragging rights, Kodak wins the marketplace.the marketplace.
1900s-1950s1900s-1950sNitrate film used for creating motion Nitrate film used for creating motion
picturespictures
HistoryHistory
1900s-1930s1900s-1930s Color added to films by hand-tinting or Color added to films by hand-tinting or
using color filters using color filters 1930s1930s Film color achieved by use of different Film color achieved by use of different
chemicals in emulsion chemicals in emulsion 1960s1960s Nitrate film replaced with acetate filmNitrate film replaced with acetate film
Less flammableLess flammable Believed to be more chemically stable, but not Believed to be more chemically stable, but not
truetrue
HistoryHistory
Polyester filmPolyester filmDeveloped in the fifties and sixties, but Developed in the fifties and sixties, but
not widely used until the ninetiesnot widely used until the ninetiesUsed for duplicates and release prints, Used for duplicates and release prints,
not for original camera stock.not for original camera stock.Less prone to chemical decompositionLess prone to chemical decomposition
Composition / constructionComposition / 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 expectancyLife expectancy
Dependent on storage conditions Dependent on storage conditions
May last from a few months to May last from a few months to several hundred yearsseveral hundred years
Limited history of format means Limited history of format means furthest range is unknownfurthest range is unknown
Factors contributing to Factors contributing to deteriorationdeterioration
Heat – high temperatures accelerate Heat – high temperatures accelerate decomposition and warpingdecomposition and warping
Moisture – pulls acids out of film base Moisture – pulls acids out of film base and into the airand into the air
Mishandling – scratches on emulsion Mishandling – scratches on emulsion and tearing of baseand tearing of base
DeteriorationDeterioration
““The original artifact The original artifact can be repaired can be repaired and cleaned, but and cleaned, but the process of self-the process of self-destruction cannot destruction cannot be stopped.”be stopped.”
~ Read and Meyer, Restoration of Motion Picture Film
DeteriorationDeterioration
Unless stored properly, film begins to Unless stored properly, film begins to warp and shrinkwarp and shrink
Color film starts to fadeColor film starts to fadeAcids eat away at film base and Acids eat away at film base and
emulsion, corrupting the image, emulsion, corrupting the image, rusting the film canrusting the film can
Nitrate film eventually turns to dustNitrate film eventually turns to dustAcetate film becomes sticky and Acetate film becomes sticky and
develops a strong vinegar odordevelops a strong vinegar odor
Color fadingColor fading
Chemicals in the Chemicals in the cyan and yellow cyan and yellow emulsions emulsions deteriorate more deteriorate more quickly, which quickly, which often leaves a film often leaves a film with a pinkish cast.with a pinkish cast.
Handling considerationsHandling considerations
Clean work surface Clean work surface and cotton glovesand cotton gloves Step 1: Opening Step 1: Opening
cancan
Step 2: Using Step 2: Using rewindsrewinds
Step 3: ViewingStep 3: Viewing
Storage considerationsStorage considerations
Too dry—brittleness & Too dry—brittleness & shrinkingshrinking
Too much moisture and heat Too much moisture and heat —accelerates chemical —accelerates chemical deterioration & molddeterioration & mold
Storage conditionsStorage conditions
Appropriate storage Appropriate storage enclosuresenclosures
Ideal temperature: as low Ideal temperature: as low as possibleas possible
Ideal average relative Ideal average relative humidity: 20%-30%humidity: 20%-30%
Film in lower picture is Film in lower picture is older than top, but has older than top, but has been stored in cool, dry been stored in cool, dry conditionsconditions
TreatmentTreatment
Film cleanser for mold, mildew, Film cleanser for mold, mildew, fungifungi
Repair splicesRepair splices
Wet-gate printing for scratchesWet-gate printing for scratches
Digital image restorationDigital image restoration
Re-dimensioningRe-dimensioning
Digital image restorationDigital image restoration
Reformatting options Reformatting options
Film-to-film duplicationFilm-to-film duplication
VHS videotape, digital videotape, VHS videotape, digital videotape, digitizationdigitization
Exhibition / loan Exhibition / loan considerationsconsiderations
Limited projectingLimited projecting
Access copiesAccess copiesPublic access increases awareness Public access increases awareness
and support for preservationand support for preservation
Image CreditsImage Credits Slide 5: Slide 5:
Plume House and Goodwin- Blog L Craig Schoonmaker Plume House and Goodwin- Blog L Craig Schoonmaker newarkusa.blogspot. newarkusa.blogspot. com/2007_02_01_archive.htmlcom/2007_02_01_archive.html
Eastman - Eastman - www.history.rochester.edu www.history.rochester.edu Kodak building - Kodak building - www.bridgeandtunnelclub.comwww.bridgeandtunnelclub.com
Slide 9:Slide 9: Film reel - Blog of A.M. Carter Film reel - Blog of A.M. Carter www.roundaboutmidnight.comwww.roundaboutmidnight.com
Slide 12:Slide 12: Decomposing film - Society for Cinephiles / Cinecon Decomposing film - Society for Cinephiles / Cinecon
www.cinecon.org/ cinecon_filmpreservation.htmlwww.cinecon.org/ cinecon_filmpreservation.html
Slide 15:Slide 15: White gloves - Print File Archival Products - White gloves - Print File Archival Products - www.pfile.comwww.pfile.com
Slide 17:Slide 17: Nitrate film in good and bad condition – Nitrate film in good and bad condition – www.filmpreservation.orgwww.filmpreservation.org
Slide 19:Slide 19: Restored film - Der digitale Filmrestaurationsprozess - Restored film - Der digitale Filmrestaurationsprozess - www.vcpc.univie.ac.atwww.vcpc.univie.ac.at