Establishing an effective workflow for the long-term preservation of a motion picture is one of the most overlooked aspects of independent moving-image media production. The good news - there are simple and cost-effective steps you can take today to insure the longevity of your work for future generations. The following resources offer a comprehensive introduction to the field of moving-image preservation for both the media producer and archival professional.
GUIDES, TRAINING & BEST PRACTICES
Preserving Your Own Digital Materials (sponsored by The Library of Congress)
"Our photo albums, letters, home movies and paper documents are a vital link to the past. Personal information we create today has the same value. The only difference is that much of it is now digital. This site provides some tips to help make your personal "born digital" information last."
"The objective of this web site is to provide simple guidelines for preserving motion picture film materials outside of specialized archives, with a focus on storage at home."
A collection of links provided by the MIC project, sponsored by The Library of Congress.
A general reference guide for the public.
"For many libraries, museums, and archives the hardest step in preserving film collections is getting started. The Film Preservation Guide is designed for these organizations. It introduces film preservation to nonprofit and public institutions that have collections of motion picture film but lack information about how to take care of them. Written and produced by the National Film Preservation Foundation, the book is a primer for “beginners”—professionals trained in archival studies, librarianship, museum work, or history but unschooled in this technical specialty."
"A library of film clips offers instruction in basic film handling and preservation techniques. Clips are organized by title and by chapter headings in the Guide to Film Preservation published by the National Foundation for Film Preservation."
An online resource guide covering a range of conservation topics.Digital Preservation Courses & Workshops (from The Library of Congress)
"The mission of the Digital Preservation Outreach and Education (DPOE) initiative is to foster national outreach and education to encourage individuals and organizations to actively preserve their digital content, building on a collaborative network of instructors, contributors, and institutional partners... The Library of Congress provides this calendar as a public service to help people access training in the practices of digital preservation."
ARCHIVES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Why deposit your film with an archive? (a project of Moving Image Collections)
"... a webliography of resources covering how the donation process works, collecting and acquisition policies, examples of deeds of gift and other donor forms, donations vs. deposits, and the like. In an effort to get a wide range of information, this webliography includes Web sites from historical societies, university-affiliated repositories and national archives that collect a variety of moving image materials."
A resource guide by the National Film Preservation Foundation.
A directory prepared by the Labor Archives Roundtable of the Society of American Archivists.
"Organization devoted to advancing the field of moving image archiving."
"The National Film Preservation Foundation is the nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress to help save America's film heritage. We support activities nationwide that preserve American films and improve film access for study, education, and exhibition."
"... the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS) has responsibility for the acquisition, cataloging and preservation of the motion picture and television collections. The Division operates the Motion Picture and Television Reading Room to provide access and information services to an international community of film and television professionals, archivists, scholars and researchers."
"The Film Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1990 by Martin Scorsese, dedicated to protecting and preserving motion picture history by providing annual support for preservation and restoration projects at the leading film archives."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
How to Clean Out a Union Office Without Destroying History (pdf)
Creator Guidelines: Making and Maintaining Digital Materials (pdf)
"How to Clean Out a Union Office Without Destroying History, by Helmut Knies, Collection Development Archivist at the Wisconsin Historical Society. This handy 3-page publication is a great step-by-step guide on setting up a records management system for local unions, what to preserve for historical archives, and what to get rid of."
dpBestFlow (funded by the Library of Congress)"These guidelines have been developed for individuals who create digital materials in the course of their professional and personal activities to help them make informed decisions about making and maintaining these materials in ways that will help ensure their preservation for as long as they are needed." Produced by the InterPARES Project.
A best practices reference for the use, care and storage of digital images.
A general reference guide for the public.
An online resource guide covering a range of conservation topics.
"Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation and other organizations, as well as individuals, in caring for our endangered heritage."
