Film archivists are in charge of cataloging, preserving, and organizing a collection of films as well as related memorabilia. Because the majority of the documents and films in a collection are old and often in poor condition, a film archivist is often tasked with preserving and digitizing them. Because an archivist is also required to assist researchers in locating films and documents about film production, communication is an important feature of the work of a film collection. Because of the wide range of information that archivists are responsible for preserving, they are also known as moving image archivists.
A film archivist, like a librarian, is in charge of organizing information and keeping track of the items in a collection. The film archivist replaces the items in the collection on the shelves and document cabinets when they are used by researchers, and new items must be placed in the correct position in the catalog. Academic institutions, film studios, and private collectors who hire archivists to care for their collections create and maintain film archives.
Digital and non-digital copies of films stored on DVD, CD, and video tapes are included in archives, as are digital and non-digital copies of films stored on DVD, CD, and video tapes. Scripts, production schedules, still images, and other memorabilia associated with the film industry are among the documents held by film archives. A film archivist’s job often entails organizing and preserving photographic and paper documents as part of his or her responsibilities. Archivists should also be familiar with preservation software and techniques to ensure that hard copies and digital versions of the documents are preserved for future generations.
A comprehensive education, which includes the completion of an undergraduate degree in English, history, or related humanities subjects, is required before becoming a film archivist. Graduate school usually includes library courses as well as additional preservation training. Each film archivist should be a good communicator who can assist researchers and find new materials for the collection, in addition to having completed an academic education.
Film archiving is crucial because movies, documentaries, and television shows are viewed as social documents that reflect the time period in which they were produced. Filmmaking was regarded as a quick, disposable form of entertainment in the first half of the twentieth century, and it was rarely preserved for future reference. Films, on the other hand, began to be seen as an art form and an important part of the culture in which they were made during the second half.