How should my slides, photos, VHS tapes and old 8mm/16mm film be stored for best archving?
DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR FILM. The original film is the best way to preserve your projects. DVD’s could fail. VHS tapes WILL degrade. Always keep the original copies so you can preserve them with future technology. Getting a backup on MiniDV or Hard Drive will prevent you from paying to transfer the film again. The DVD’s are compressed and are not the original quality. The DVD’s are a viewing medium, not archive. Processed color film should be stored where it is dark, dry, and cool. Keep stored film away from radiators, steam pipes or other places where it may be subjected to high temperatures. Do not store in ziploc bags because the film needs oxygen to prolong its life. We will return your film in ziploc bags to protect them during shipping. You should remove these bags when you receive them so that the air circulates around the film. Please visit the Association of Moving Image Archivists for more information.
