Repair and restoration, film preservation

We carry out all or part of classification, cleaning, and restoration activities on films that are entrusted to us, considering these point:

  1. What is the film support (nitrate, cellulose triacetate, polyester, etc.)?
  2. Is the film in color or black and white?
  3. Is the film a positive, negative, or an invertible copy?
  4. Is the film silent or with sound?
  5. What kind of sound track does it have (optical, magnetic, etc.)?
  6. How much mechanical damage is there in terms of seams, scratches, and broken perforations?
  7. What degree of contraction does the film have, measuring it with the instrument to detect its narrowing?
  8. Is there any observable mold? Any fungi? Has their growth resulted in serious damage?
  9. Is there a smell of vinegar, typical of vinegard syndrome?
  10. Are there any other degradation signs/damages?

Repair and cleaning of films

It is essential to inspect and possibly repair the film before it is processed through telecine. The following is critical: the verification of seams, “forcing” of perforations and any dimensional deformations which would prevent the performance of cine film transfer correctly.

All seams are remade with a special adhesive transparent and durable tape, using a “Catozzo” press.
Before performing the new seam, the old one is detached and the film flaps are thoroughly cleaned with a special solvent that allows removing any trace of dirt and residues. The seam is done on both sides of the film and has the great advantage of being removable without loss of frames and without damaging the film.

giunta_carta
giunta_mano

Seams are made with adhesive paper. They should be redone with a tape film splicer, or film joiner, since the seal is almost non-existent and proper spacing and alignment between the frames do not exist.
The seams performed by hand without gluing have these defects: rough cut, misalignment of the seam, glue burrs, and film deformation.
Seams with normal tape are always dried by time. They have no strength and detach just with film unwinding effort.

Tape film splicer

In these types of presstape film splicer with press operation, the operator must accurately cut the frames, so that perforations are aligned and complement each other perfectly. Once the frames to be joined have been combined, the tape is applied on them and then pressed with the seamer, which will make it adhere perfectly to the film, by cutting it at the ends and re-perforating any perforations occluded by the tape.

Pulizia_pellicola_prima_della_giunta
giuntatrice_catozzo

Cleaning of the film before making the seam.

Film spilcer “Catozzo” and proper seaming.

Repair of perforations

Repairing torn or broken perforations is important. This prevents further damage with possible loss of frames. Perforations can be repaired using the adhesive tape used for seams, or using specific presses film splicer, with dedicated adhesives designed for this purpose.

Pellicola_16mm_perforazione_rotta
Pellicola_16mm_perforazione_riparata

16mm film with broken perforation

The same film after being repaired

Film cleaning

After inspection and repair, the film has to be cleaned to remove any surface dirt. This is done with special solvents (when necessary). Alternatively, dry cleaning performed with “Kodak PTR Roll” is enough, i.e. slightly adhesive rubber rollers that remove all traces of dust, surface dirt, etc. from the film.

The transition between “PTR Rolls” is also performed a few moments before scanning.

Content taken from the Experimental Thesis “Labile Memories – Methods and techniques of restoration and digitalization of film heritage”

by Luca Bazan (November 2011)