Both film and video tape are physically fragile materials.  They are easily damaged if wrongly stored or subject to excessive use.  These threats increase as the material gets older.

MACE's staff are experienced professional archivists and we work to recognised standards in the conservation and preservation of materials in our care.  There is more information about these standards in The Moving Image Archive Framework and Moving Image Collections - Guidance Notes documents published by the Film Archive Forum.

The main principle of preservation in reproductive media such as film and video tape is that you protect the best copy of the material (the master) in the collection by copying it to create a sub-master, which is subsequently used to produce further copies for viewing purposes.

The master copy is then held in environmentally controlled storage conditions and is not disturbed until a new sub-master copy needs to be made.  In so doing we maximise the life span of the moving image for future generations to enjoy.

Sometimes we encounter nitrate film which requires special treatment and, if the importance of the subject matter warrants it, we will arrange for duplication to film at a specialist laboratory.  For further information about the dangers of nitrate film please click here.