History

Film preservation tips

The majority of old film that you may have found lying around the house is probably in not too bad a condition,  as most film stock can remain relatively unaffected in normal household conditions for about 50 years before any serious signs of corrosion begin to appear. There are always ways of improving how your film is stored however,  and the following points may hopefully be of use.

1. Always try to handle the film as little as possible. Oil and grease from fingers can damage the film or increase corrosion and it is also very easy to tear. Also, with many old films that have already started to corrode, the chemicals in the acetate can be harmful if accidentally transferred from hand to mouth. You can usually tell if a film has started to corrode by the smell it gives off, usually known as the Vinegar Syndrome, which, if you’ve ever smelt it, is fairly self explanatory!

2. Keep your films cool and dry. The main cause of damage to film is caused by damp or excess heat. The ideal temperature for most old film is about 15 degrees, although its obviously difficult trying to keep a room in the house at a constant temperature, so try and keep them in a cupboard or any place that remains relatively cool and dark and receives no direct sunlight. Areas of your house where your films should definitely not be kept are places such as the attic, as this is the one area of the house that heats up the most during the summer months, whilst your cellar is often the most humid area of the house and the perfect breeding ground for mould and fungi. Your garden shed is also bad as they often switch throughout the year from being too damp and cold to being stiflingly hot.

3. The tins or boxes that the film originally came in are also susceptible to damage so it is worth paying attention to them too. Film cans usually start to deteriorate faster than the film itself, so it is worth buying plastic film cases if rust has started to develop on the can or, if in a box, the cardboard shows signs of damp or mildew. If the film reel also shows signs of corrosion then these can be replaced with plastic cores. The majority of these items can be purchased either online or through photographic and film specialists.

4. The key to preserving what is actually on your old film stock is to have it transferred onto video or disc. The majority of home movies from the 1930s onwards were shot on either 8mm or 16mm safety film so it is most likely that this is the kind of film that you have at home. Most photographic centres can now transfer this stock for you, and at a fraction of the price it would have cost a decade ago. If the film you have is of a different size however, such as 9.5mm, you will most likely have to find a specialist to transfer it for you as this was used much more infrequently, although there are many such specialists that can be found online. More importantly, if you have any old film that has been shot on 35mm this must be handled with care, as the majority of 35mm film shot before 1950 contained cellulose nitrate which can be chemically unstable and highly flammable. If in the unlikely event that you are in possession of such film, it is best to contact your nearest film archive for advice.

5. Always label your films. This is not only for your own reference, but also for anyone else who comes into contact with the film. It is best to not only label the cans or boxes that the films are in, but also, if possible, to write on the film leader itself. This is the white part at the start of the film stock that contains no actual footage. If the leader is missing for any reason, then a small piece of white adhesive tape with the film title written clearly on it can be affixed to the start of the film reel.

6. If you feel your films contain anything of historical value then it may be worth contacting your local film archive, or if the footage is of a particular place or historical event then a quick search online will allow you to find the archive that would find it of the most interest.

7. Don’t think that the home movies you are taking today should be treated any differently. Always try and make copies of whatever you have taken, especially if it is of a particular event. If you made any films in the past on a camcorder have the tapes transferred onto DVD, whilst if you are filming on digital try and make copies on disc or tape as well as storing footage on your computer. Always label your films and try and keep a catalogue of everything you have. Remember that in another 80 years it could be your films that people will be making documentaries about!

8. There are many websites that can give further advice to help you preserve your films, and these sites are of particular use:

www.filmforever.org
www.filmpres.org/eng This site contains the wonderful 'The Idiots Guide to Film Preservation'
www.bufvc.ac.uk/faf
www.brighton.ac.uk/screenarchive
www.kodak.com