preservation audiovisual film motion picture training education masters degree digital copyright conservation
Film Preservation H72.3402.001
Spring 2008 — Alternating Thursdays (more or less), 12:30 to 4:30 PM, BB Optics, 108 Franklin Street #4W
Version 1: 1/22/08 Instructor: Bill Brand miap@bboptics.com 212.966.6253
GOALS:
This class will give students practical experience with the process of film preservation including understanding and recognizing film elements, making inspection reports, repairing film, making preservation plans, understanding laboratory processes and procedures for making new film preservation elements, and writing preservation histories. The course will teach students how to work with vendors, increase knowledge of archival standards, introduce problems of decision-making, technical requirements, preparation and workflow, and overall project management. The class will undertake and complete an actual film preservation project and follow the steps from start to finish.EXPECTATIONS:
Each student will do several assignments involving writing a preservation grant proposal, preservation plan, inspection report and preservation history. Students will be expected to acquire practical knowledge of film handling and will be evaluated on basic theoretical and practical skills. A large portion of class time will be dedicated to completing the class project and students will be expected to participate in every stage. Attendance at all classes is expected unless excused. Grades will be based on a combination of class preparedness and participation (60%) and written assignments (40%).TEXTS:
There is no required text for this class but students are highly encouraged to obtain Read, Paul & Mark-Paul Meyer, Restoration of Motion Picture Film, Butterworth Heinemann, 2000, ISMB: 0 7506 2793 X. Another good resource is Ascher, Steven and Edward Pincus, The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age Plume. 1999, ISBN 0452279577. Other readings will be provided as handouts or as URL references on the World Wide Web or the course Blackboard website. Note: This syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester. Check Blackboard course web site for updates and announcements.CLASS 1 Jan 25
Location: BB Optics- Introduction (30 min)
- Course outline
- Course expectations
- Basics of film material and image structure (60 min)
- Read prior to class:
- http://www.nfsa.afc.gov.au/preservation/film_handbook/film_construction.html
- Go through all 6 animated tutorials called Shutters, Sprockets, and Tubes: http://www.movingimage.us/site/online/
- Demonstrate 16mm Projector
- Demonstrate and practice film splicing with one splicer
- Shoot a 16mm film class portraits (90 min)
- Basic process of filmmaking – recognizing and understanding film elements: (60 min)
- Pre-production, Production, Post–production
- Conventional post–production process
- Contemporary post–production process
- Read: handouts – production & post-production flow charts
- Read: handout – Outline for Example Preservation Project
- Research: Frampton articles especially about Hapax Legomena
CLASS 2 Feb 8
Location: BB Optics- Screen class portrait film (30 min)
- Look at timing report, negative & print
- Report on Frampton research findings
- Technical issues for restoration (30 min)
- 16mm, 35mm, 8mm, Super–8, 9.5mm (other small gauge)
- Inspection reports (30 min.)
- Example forms: Screensound, NFPF, Goldbergs, Wojnarowicz, Shutter Interface, Schneemann example
- Read: Handout – Inspection forms
- Inspection, identification & repair
- Bruce Naumann example
- Read: Handout -Suzanne R. Schnepp, On Time: Approaches to the Conservation of Film, Videotape, and Digital Media, Museum Studies 31.2, Conservation at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Read: Jon Gartenberg, The Fragile Emulsion http://kmi.lux.org.uk/casestudies/fragile.htm
- Film preservation plans (60 min)
- In-house
- Vendor facility
- Introduce class projects.(30 min)
- Organize project teams for class projects (90 min.)
- Begin inspections and preservation planning for class projects
- Look at A and B rolls, and optical track elements
- Preservation plan for Class project films
- Funding Proposal, Research, Elements, What gets preserved, Where does it live, Ownership & legal issues, Exhibition & distribution, Estimate, Process & time estimate, Writing preservation history
- Writing Proposal for Funding
- National Film Preservation Fund Masters of the Avant Garde example
- Assignment: Write NFPF Avant Garde Masters proposal for class film projects Due via email on Feb 15.
- Read: NFPF Grants – How to Apply. Look at all sections including sample applications
- Read: Handout – examples Art Make Up, N;O;T;H;I;N;G, Goldbergs, Horizons
- Schedule extra ÒlabÓ time to inspect and prepare HAPAX LEGOMENA projects (Feb 15?)
CLASS 3 Feb 22
Location: BB Optics- Studio layout (15 min.)
- Equipment
- Splicers, Synchronizers, Rewinds, Tightwind, Split reels, Spacers, Clamps, Loupes, Viewer, Cleaning, Ventilation, Gloves, Optical Printer
- Practice splicing (15 min.)
- Discuss inspection results, preservation plans and progress for class projects
- Discuss recent and ongoing BB Optics preservation projects (60 min.)
- Carolee Schneemann: Kitch's Last Meal, Snows, etc
- Helen Hill home movies
- Helen Hill RAIN DANCE
- James Nares super–8 sound films
- break (15 min)
- Hand out Class project NFPF draft proposals, discuss (30 min.)
- Make budget (30 min.)
- Assignment: Revise NFPF Avant Garde Masters proposal for Class project film – Due via email by Feb 29.
CLASS 4 March 7
Location: Trackwise at Fullhouse Production- Digital Restoration
- Audio restoration
- Visit Trackwise at Fullhouse Production
- 23 W.18th St. 7th Floor (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.) New York NY 10011
- Tour and discussion by Fran Bowen
- Inspection and transfer of Class project film sound tracks
- Schedule extra "lab" time if necessary to prepare HAPAX LEGOMENA projects (March 14?)
CLASS 5 April 11
- View and assess answer prints from class projects
- Writing preservation histories
- Show example preservation histories
- Assignment: Write draft preservation history due email April 17th
CLASS 6 April 18
Location: BB Optics- Special problems and solutions for film restoration including: (90 min.)
- Digital Restoration of Film
- Cleaning film
- Hand cleaning, Cleaners & solvents, Safety
- Machine cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaners, PTR rollers, Inspection & cleaning machines
- Restoration in case of fire, flood & disasters
- Special problems
- Vinegar syndrome, Mold, Rust, Shrinkage, Cyan dye fading (red shift), Crazing, Ferrotyping, Scratches, Rewashing, Wet gate printing
CLASS 7 May 2
Location: BB Optics- View Class project prints
- Discuss issues of exhibition, storage, distribution and scholarship
- Recanning and labeling Class project film original and preservation materials.
- Course Summary and celebration