Five Tips for Home Movie Care

1. Transfer your films to a master tape (e.g. BetaSP or DigiBeta), and make viewing copies (VHS or DVD) from that master. Andrew, Diana, and Katie recommend Brodsky & Treadway in Massa-chusetts or the suggestions provided at filmforever.org under Resources and Links. Make sure you don't discard the original film. Of course, making a video transfer is not the same as preserving.

2. Store your films in a cool, dry place. Do not store in the attic (hot/inconsistent temperature) or basement (humid). We also advise against storing in the refrigerator or freezer, mainly because cold storage of processed film requires special precautions and some long-term commitment to maintenance.

3. Keep all films away from direct sunlight, and store those with magnetic soundtracks away from magnets and magnetic fields.

4. Store your films flat (horizontally) in non-airtight, labeled containers. The individual cardboard boxes they are currently in are okay, but if you want to be even safer, get new reels, cores, and storage containers. (See Equipment Suppliers at filmforever.org.)

5. Do not project your films unless you have taken pains to ensure that they won't be damaged. Safe projection of unique archival film entails the careful inspection, repair, and cleaning of both the film and the projection equipment.

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