a video guide to learning motion picture film preservation and restoration.
Video Aids to Film Preservation supplements existing guides to film preservation (Guide to Film Preservation) with video demonstrating basic handling and restoration procedures for motion picture film. A library of film clips offers instruction in basic film handling and preservation techniques. Clips are organized by title and by chapter headings in the Guide to Film Preservation published by the National Foundation for Film Preservation.
Audio Tape
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How can I keep from recording over my video and audio cassettes?
Activating the erase locks on video and audio cassettes -
How does the brake work on a small gauge video or audio cassette?
The brake on a small gauge video or audio cassette -
Why it is important to rewind audio and video cassettes?
Rewinding tapes and cassettes to prevent exposure to damage -
How do you identify different types of audio and video tapes?
Tips on identifying materials for disaster recovery
Decay and Damage
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Why is an adjustable pin splicer useful in restoration?
Adjustable pin splicer is an important tool in restoration -
What does mildew damage look like?
Mildew damage on 8mm reel - Murder on the Screen
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What does a film with shrinkage look like?
Shrinkage.1 -
How do you measure shrinkage without a shrinkage gauge?
Shrinkage: The low-tech approach to measuring -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 1?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 1 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 2?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 2 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 3?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 3
Disaster Planning and Recovery
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How can I keep from recording over my video and audio cassettes?
Activating the erase locks on video and audio cassettes -
How does the brake work on a small gauge video or audio cassette?
The brake on a small gauge video or audio cassette -
How to prepare for a disaster?
Key procedures for disaster response -
How to reassemble an 8mm videotape cassette?
Reassembling an 8mm videotape cassette -
How to reinforce a weak film splice to prevent the film from coming apart during re-wash?
Reinforcing a splice with dental floss -
Why it is important to rewind audio and video cassettes?
Rewinding tapes and cassettes to prevent exposure to damage -
How to take an 8mm video tape cassette apart?
Taking an 8mm videotape cassette apart -
How do you identify different types of audio and video tapes?
Tips on identifying materials for disaster recovery -
How to wind wet film onto a core?
Tips on winding film -
How do you wash and handle wet film?
Washing and handling wet film -
How to handle water soaked film?
Water-soaked 35mm polyester film
Equipment/Machines
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What are A and B rolls?
A and B Rolls 16-mm -
How to clean and project using the 8mm Bell & Howell Regent, Design 122, Model L projector?
The Bell & Howell Regent, Design 122, Model L 8mm Projector. -
How does the brake work on a small gauge video or audio cassette?
The brake on a small gauge video or audio cassette -
How to clean and use Craig editing kit?
The Craig Editing Kit -
How to use a 16mm Ciro Guillotine tape splicer?
Demonstration of a 16mm Ciro Guillotine tape splicer -
How to clean and change the bulb on Elmo Viewer?
The Elmo Viewer: cleaning and bulb change -
How to switch from super 8 to regular 8 in the Elmo Viewer?
The Elmo viewer: Switching gate settings on Elmo view to regular 8mm -
How do various rewinds work?
Festival of Rewinds -
How to clean and operate the Kodak Supermatic 30 projector?
The Kodak Supermatic 30 projector -
How to put a leader on a film using a 16mm Maier-Hancock hot splicer?
Putting new leader on an old family film using a 16mm Maier-Hancock hot splicer -
How to reassemble an 8mm videotape cassette?
Reassembling an 8mm videotape cassette -
How do you set up an editing table with rewinds?
Setting up Rewinds and Work Table -
How to splice audio full coat tape with the Guillotine splicer?
Splicing 16mm magnetic full coat with a Ciro Guillotine splicer -
How do you splice 16mm audio magnetic full coat?
Splicing 16mm magnetic full coat with splicing block and razor -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 1?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 1 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 2?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 2 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 3?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 3 -
How to take an 8mm video tape cassette apart?
Taking an 8mm videotape cassette apart -
How to wind wet film onto a core?
Tips on winding film -
How to use the 16mm Maier-Hancock hot or cement splicer?
Using the 16mm Maier-Hancock hot or cement splicer -
How to use a wet gate optical printer, 16mm? Wet gate optical printer, 16mm
Wet gate optical printer, 16mm
Handling
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What are A and B rolls?
A and B Rolls 16-mm -
How can I keep from recording over my video and audio cassettes?
Activating the erase locks on video and audio cassettes -
How do you rewind film that falls off a plastic core?
Core dropout -
How do I handle film on a core?
Film on a core -
Why is it important to wind film tightly on a core?
Handling 16mm magnetic full coat rolls -
How to clean and operate the Kodak Supermatic 30 projector?
The Kodak Supermatic 30 projector -
What to do if the film on a reel is loose?
Loose film on reel - Murder on the Screen
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How to reinforce a weak film splice to prevent the film from coming apart during re-wash?
Reinforcing a splice with dental floss -
Why it is important to rewind audio and video cassettes?
Rewinding tapes and cassettes to prevent exposure to damage -
How do you rewind film using hand brake?
Rewinds: how to use them -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 1?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 1 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 2?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 2 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 3?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 3 -
How to wind wet film onto a core?
Tips on winding film -
How to take an 8mm video tape cassette apart?
Taking an 8mm videotape cassette apart -
How do you wash and handle wet film?
Washing and handling wet film -
How to handle water soaked film?
Water-soaked 35mm polyester film
Identification
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How are Fuji Single 8 and Kodak Super 8 different?
Comparing Fuji Single 8 with Kodak Super 8 -
How do you tell the difference between the emulsion and the base sides of film?
Emulsion and base -
How to you identify film gauge from the reel it is on?
Film ID by reel size and hub. -
How do you identify film by its container, size and shape, and sprocket holes?
Film ID: box, size, shape -
How do I identify optical or magnetic sound tracks?
Identifying optical or magnetic Sound -
How do you identify different types of audio and video tapes?
Tips on identifying materials for disaster recovery
Printing and Timing
Repair
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Why is an adjustable pin splicer useful in restoration?
Adjustable pin splicer is an important tool in restoration -
How to reinforce a weak film splice to prevent the film from coming apart during re-wash?
Reinforcing a splice with dental floss -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 1?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 1 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 2?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 2 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 3?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 3 -
How to use a wet gate optical printer, 16mm? Wet gate optical printer, 16mm
Wet gate optical printer, 16mm
Sound Tracks
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How to use a demagnetizing tool with audio tape?
Demagnetizing. Avoiding pops in audio splices. -
Why is it important to wind film tightly on a core?
Handling 16mm magnetic full coat rolls -
How do I identify optical or magnetic sound tracks?
Identifying optical or magnetic Sound -
How do you splice 16mm audio magnetic full coat?
Splicing 16mm magnetic full coat with splicing block and razor -
How do you make a splice using a simple splicing block and press tape?
Splicing 16mm with razor and splicing block -
How to splice leader onto 16mm audio full coat tape?
Splicing leader on to 16mm audio full coat tape
Splicing
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Why is an adjustable pin splicer useful in restoration?
Adjustable pin splicer is an important tool in restoration -
How do you make a cement splice in regular 8mm?
Cement Splice.1 Minette Splicer -
How do I use the Ciro 8-mm guillotine tape splicer?
The 8-mm Guillotine tape splicer -
How do you identify and use some common small gauge splicing machines?
Common Small Gauge Splicing Machines -
How to use a 16mm Ciro Guillotine tape splicer?
Demonstration of a 16mm Ciro Guillotine tape splicer -
How do you inspect a cement splice?
Inspecting a cement splice -
How to put a leader on a film using a 16mm Maier-Hancock hot splicer?
Putting new leader on an old family film using a 16mm Maier-Hancock hot splicer -
How to reinforce a weak film splice to prevent the film from coming apart during re-wash?
Reinforcing a splice with dental floss -
How to splice audio full coat tape with the Guillotine splicer?
Splicing 16mm magnetic full coat with a Ciro Guillotine splicer -
How do you splice 16mm audio magnetic full coat?
Splicing 16mm magnetic full coat with splicing block and razor -
How do you make a splice using a simple splicing block and press tape?
Splicing 16mm with razor and splicing block -
How do I splice broken 8mm film?
Splicing broken 8-mm with press tape and splice block -
How to splice leader onto 16mm audio full coat tape?
Splicing leader on to 16mm audio full coat tape -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 1?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 1 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 2?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 2 -
How do you splice new leader to a shrunken 16mm film, part 3?
Splicing leader to shrunken 16mm film, Part 3 -
How to use the 16mm Maier-Hancock hot or cement splicer?
Using the 16mm Maier-Hancock hot or cement splicer
Storage
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How can I keep from recording over my video and audio cassettes?
Activating the erase locks on video and audio cassettes -
Why is it important to wind film tightly on a core?
Handling 16mm magnetic full coat rolls -
How to properly store/box film and audio full coat?
Proper storage of film and audio magnetic full coat rolls
Video Tape
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How can I keep from recording over my video and audio cassettes?
Activating the erase locks on video and audio cassettes -
How does the brake work on a small gauge video or audio cassette?
The brake on a small gauge video or audio cassette -
How to reassemble an 8mm videotape cassette?
Reassembling an 8mm videotape cassette -
Why it is important to rewind audio and video cassettes?
Rewinding tapes and cassettes to prevent exposure to damage -
How to take an 8mm video tape cassette apart?
Taking an 8mm videotape cassette apart -
How do you identify different types of audio and video tapes?
Tips on identifying materials for disaster recovery
Contribute to the project
If you or your business work with film on regular basis and want to contribute video clips or instructional content to our site, contact us.
- Read our list of Contributors
- Resources
- Read the project mission About the project.
- Contact the project.
Additional Resources
In addition to the short video clips, we are presenting several industrial films made about film restoration. These films were made by professional film laboratories and demonstrate procedures that are beyond the abilities of most archivists, collectors, and amateurs. However, we feel you will find them enjoyable and useful. They present useful information about basic film handling and preservation techniques, and give you an overall understanding of the film restoration process.