Preparing Films for Storage
The following guidance is provided for consideration. Implementing these procedures may require equipment and knowledge not available at your institution.
There is a potential to damage motion picture film each time it is played or wound, so unless appropriate expertise is available, it is safer to simply place the film in a protective storage canister without undertaking these steps.
If the expertise and equipment are available, rewind motion picture film onto 3” cores instead of projector reels.
- Evaluate the film leaders, which are the clear strips attached at the head (beginning) or tail (ending) of the film, that facilitate threading through the projector.
- Replace a dirty, damaged or short leader with a new acetate or polyester leader attached with archival film splicing tape. Provide enough leader to wrap around the reel several times.
- Wind so that the film is emulsion facing the core.
- Wind so that the film has a solid pack and doesn’t slip around. If the wind is too loose the film will rub against itself causing scratches.
Label the film leader using a pen that is waterproof, resistant to fading, non-acidic and meets Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) non-toxicity standards Approved Product (AP) Seal.
- Include the title and other information including if the film is the original, copy, positive, or negative.
- Label the leader “Head” or “Tail.”
- Also label each film canister.
For additional information about preserving motion picture film, please visit Motion Picture Film Guidance.
Motion Picture Film in Cold Storage
These properly labeled and housed films are located in a cold storage vault.