M.I.A. Intership: Week 2
I began assessing the preservation of the films in the Gaughan Collection this week. First off, the storage conditions are pretty ideal. Temperature is kept at 60 degrees and the humidity around 30%. The films are kept on (relatively) dust-free shelving above ground level and are in the dark the majority of the time.
I was able to do a preliminary assessment of half of the film in the collection. By preliminary assessment I mean: evaluating the exterior content of the film -the cans they are stored in, their spools or cores, the type of film it is, basically anything I can do without actually viewing the footage.
So far, my findings are as follows:
Almost all of the films are stored in metal canisters, probably the ones they were originally set in. A few are kept in plastic containers. Most of the metal cans are worn, dusty, and a few are rusting. A couple of the metal cans are new and are in good condition. All of the plastic containers are in good condition and are most likely replacements of older, metal cans. All of the films are wound on reels and, like the canisters, most are metal and some are plastic. In fact, all metal can contain film on metal reels, likewise for the plastic containers.
As I mentioned last week, all of the film is 16 mm. All assessed film is acetate. While the film itself appears to be in good condition, some are beginning to smell of vinegar. I will possibly be given A-D strips for proper testing.
I was able to do a preliminary assessment of half of the film in the collection. By preliminary assessment I mean: evaluating the exterior content of the film -the cans they are stored in, their spools or cores, the type of film it is, basically anything I can do without actually viewing the footage.
So far, my findings are as follows:
Almost all of the films are stored in metal canisters, probably the ones they were originally set in. A few are kept in plastic containers. Most of the metal cans are worn, dusty, and a few are rusting. A couple of the metal cans are new and are in good condition. All of the plastic containers are in good condition and are most likely replacements of older, metal cans. All of the films are wound on reels and, like the canisters, most are metal and some are plastic. In fact, all metal can contain film on metal reels, likewise for the plastic containers.
As I mentioned last week, all of the film is 16 mm. All assessed film is acetate. While the film itself appears to be in good condition, some are beginning to smell of vinegar. I will possibly be given A-D strips for proper testing.
Comments