BlessTheirLittleHearts (1983)
Charles Burnett, Bernard Nicholas, and Billy Woodberry
Courtesy: Milestone Films
Committees
The Preservation Committee of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) works to ensure that preservation issues facing collections, archives and archivists are discussed by AMIA’s membership so that traditional and evolving methods and technologies meet the preservation needs of the broadest possible communities. In the process it fosters open discussion and debate about preservation treatments, protocols, and workflows for all types of moving image materials and the long-term survivability of digitized assets. Any AMIA member can participate in the committee’s activities.
Film Cleaning. Keeping film clean is one of the most basic actions of film preservation. Small collections may clean exclusively by hand, and larger labs may have various machinery to clean films, but, for the most part, it is taken for granted that cleaning happens as a key component of good archival practice. Perhaps because it is so integral, it is not widely discussed. However, the techniques, solvents, and workflows employed vary widely among labs and archives and thus merit a closer look.
The Film Cleaning Workgroup conducted a survey in 2021 to get a sense of this broad practice of film cleaning. The responses and comments prompted a longer phase of research, a panel presentation of some interesting case studies at the AMIA conference 2022 in Pittsburgh, and a publication in the Fall 2022 issue of the Moving Image Journal.
The survey revealed three key areas of concern for organizations. The first area comprises health, safety, and environmental issues: what products are used for cleaning films, and what are practices for protecting the user and the air, land, and water? The second group of questions was about sharing knowledge: What are the best ways to clean certain films? What are best-practice workflows? Maintenance of machines was a third theme, in terms of both daily upkeep and long-term parts replacement and planning, and those questions also addressed the increasingly scarce supply of qualified maintenance technicians.
With assistance from the Preservation Committee, AMIA prepared a factsheet on Storage Standards and Guidelines for both motion picture film and videotape. This document outlines current temperature and humidity standards, provides information on storage-related publications and resources, as well as contact information and links to selected storage providers.
Film Shrinkage Gauge. The AMIA film shrinkage gauge is a benefit of membership developed under the auspices of the Preservation Committee. The gauge was manufactured and purchased in 1997 and can be used to measure the linear shrinkage in any roll of 35mm, 16mm or regular 8mm film. The film shrinkage gauge is available for loan free of charge to any member of AMIA.
Waveform Monitor/Vector Scope. Waveform monitor is a benefit brought to you by the members of the Preservation Committee. The Waveform Monitor is available for loan free of charge to any member of AMIA.