It’s been revealed that over 50% of film made before 1950 has been lost forever for a variety of reasons. The main reason is people simply not storing their films properly causing irretrievable damage.
Most cine film is capable of being transferred to digital format (eg DVD). However it’s essential to make sure the right equipment is used to avoid problems with exposure, picture-flicker, etc. Even if just using a basic projector and camera system the projector must have a variable speed control. Some cine films are clean enough for immediate transfer but the majority need to be cleaned first in order to ensure that no quality is lost in the process.
The advantage of transferring your old cine films to DVD is that you can then watch the footage over and over again without further degrading or otherwise damaging the film.
The best place to store old cine film is in a cold and dark place, but not too dry, preferably a place which will keep these conditions all year round. They should be stored away from pipes, heaters and radiators, sinks, windows, electrical appliances and concrete floors. Lofts, basements, garages, sheds, bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and conservatories are not suitable. Excessive temperatures, humidity and dirt can destroy films and sound recordings, as of course can fire, flood and contamination from insects and rodents.
In terms of storing you cine films, if you have sound film it’s essential to store them away from anything magnetic, and electrical equipment such as televisions and video recorders as the film can be damaged permanently. This is because the sound is recorded on to a magnetic audio film strip running down the entire length of the film. Nitrate based films must be stored with care as they are prone to spontaneous combustion if they are not ventilated properly.
Because of the risks involved storing old cine films safely, and the fact that treasured memories could be lost forever if not stored correctly, most people have now had their films transferred to other media.
