Film Preservation: Splicing, Inspection, Sleuthing
Working as a photographer for years, this film preservation project gave me the chance to expand my interest in film photography to the world of analog motion pictures. Through the journey, I gained experience in inspecting, repairing, and investigating vintage cinematic works.
Oops, the film broke!
Dealing with fragile, broken film is a testament to patience and precision. Each splice is more than a mere repair; it's a delicate dance of aligning, cutting, and joining film segments to ensure seamless playback without compromising the integrity of the footage.
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My first attempt at film splicing was awkward and clumsy. There were always a bunch of air bubbles after I applied the tape and the cement was never able to completely combine two pieces of film together.
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However, as with any craft, the transformation from novice to skilled practitioner happens gradually through persistent practice. Over time, what once felt awkward became intuitive.
Edge Codes, Soundtracks and More
Inspecting old films is a complex job that requires knowing a lot of special details.
For example, edge codes on the sides of the film can tell you when it was made and what kind it is. There are also different types of soundtracks that need to be identified correctly. Knowing about the materials films are made from, spotting signs of damage, and understanding movie-making techniques are all crucial to the job. It's also key to recognize problems like color fading, film shrinkage and other damage signs to figure out the best way to take care of the film.
Identify Unknown Movies
In film preservation, one of the tricky tasks is identifying movies that aren't easily recognizable. Sometimes, there are no titles or credits to help figure out what the film is about or who's in it.
That's where knowing a bit about movie history comes in handy. By looking closely at the actors, the style of makeup and clothes, and even the type of film used, it's possible to guess the era the movie was made and sometimes even pinpoint the exact movie. This detective work is a crucial step in the preservation process.