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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
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
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
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
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