<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Rose-lee, motion picture does need cool
to cold, low'ish %RH storage. Motion picture film conditions are covered
in the same ISO Standard 18911:2000 as other photographic materials.
These are quite low the "warmest" set of conditions is 7oC &
20-30%RH and the lowest -10oC & 20-50%RH. You do not mention if these
are b&w or colour, colour film from this era uses colour dyes that
are quite unstable, especially compared with new photographic dyes and
so the colder the storage conditions the better. Below 0oC is fine, if
not preferable, however preparation for sub-zero storage requires some
additional care.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Basic preparation for storage is to
firstly rewind the film to a slightly lower tension than a projector take-up
would wind to. There are several reasons for this including shrinkage during
storage, cross-linking of the emulsion and backcoat and this loose wind
assists in off gassing decomposition by-products (film is cellulose acetate
and will release acetic acid which autocatalyses the decomposition reaction).
If you are not storing below 0oC then you should not use a plastic bag
to wrap the film* (likewise ALL other objects such as paper receipts etc
should be removed from the can as well) and do not let a rubber band within
300km of the film! Use film splicing tape to hold the film end down if
necessary. The film can should be made of inert material, the new plastic
cans from Tuscan and others, steel or aluminium are excellent - as long
as the metal cans are not painted (powder coated or anodised is OK). Don't
tape the can shut, there needs to be some air exchange between the filmcan
microclimate and the rest of the world.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">*The exception to not wrapping the film
in plastic bags would be if you were using Kodak's Molecular Sieve. Mol
Sieve is a strong desiccant and sorbent and sorbs the acetic acid and maintains
a low %RH inside the bag, if the film were not bagged then the Mol Sieve
would exhaust very quickly. Details are on the Kodak website (www.kodak.com).
In theory any desiccant would do however Kodak have gone to the trouble
of working out how much is needed per film and putting it in a nice little
bag.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">If you are storing below 0oC then all
of the above plus acclimatise the film for 24-48 hours at around 20oC &50%RH
along with some A4 sized acid free card. Place the film inside the can
inside a polyethylene bag, seal the bag and then place this bag and a sheet
of the acclimatised card inside a second bag and seal this as well. Write
lots of nice labels on the bags so you can see what is inside. Throw/gently
place the package in the freezer. Removing the film from the freezer requires
a gentle thermal acclimatisation, leaving the unopened bags in a small
foam esky for a day or two before opening the bags should be fine.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Contact me off list if you like to discuss
this further.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">mick</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Mick Newnham<br>
Senior Researcher<br>
National Film and Sound Archive<br>
McCoy Circuit, Acton Canberra ACT 2601<br>
<br>
Tel: +61 2 6248 2118 Fax: +61 2 6262 5693<br>
<br>
www.nfsa.afc.gov.au<br>
<br>
The National Film and Sound Archive collects, preserves and provides access
to Australia's historic and contemporary moving image and recorded sound
culture. We are part of the Australian Film Commission.<br>
<br>
Arc is here - the National Film and Sound Archive's new state of the art
cinema with unique pre-show light and sound display, screening the finest
selection of Australian and world film. Visit http://www.nfsa.afc.gov.au/whats_on/arc
for screening times and ticketing information, and join our subscribers
list to receive your calendar. The NFSA's new cafe, The Studio, is
now open during the day plus before and after Arc screenings. The
perfect venue for light meals and fantastic coffee, in beautiful art deco
surrounds.<br>
</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"Adventist Heritage Centre"
<heritage@avondale.edu.au></b></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: can-talk-bounces@collectionsaustralia.net</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">17/01/2008 04:58 PM</font>
<td><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> To:
<can-talk@collectionsaustralia.net></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> cc:
</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> Subject:
[can-talk] Discussion questions</font></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Hi</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">I have two question for everyone.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">1. We have a number of 16mm motion picture
films 1950s+ which I understand need to go into cold storage.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">What temperature range should we aim for?
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Can they be stored below 0 degrees?</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Comments welcome</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">2. I understand they also need to be sealed
to avoid moisture getting into them</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Has anyone any experience in this area.
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Comments welcome.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Rose-lee Power</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Curator</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Adventist Heritage Centre</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Cooranbong NSW 2265</font>
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