Teaching Workshop: Film Archives: Conservation and Presentation of Film Heritage
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the workshop is to introduce the fundamental notions concerning the institutions that deal with film heritage: cinémathèques, archives and cinema museums.
Object: the history and origins of these institutions in Italy and abroad, their mission linked to conservation, preservation, restoration, dissemination and enhancement of heritage, and how these activities and objectives are pursued and modulated by the institutions that we commonly call film archives. Students will acquire practical knowledge about the organization and functioning of these institutions through the analysis and discussion of specific cases and through simulations and group work.
Object: the history and origins of these institutions in Italy and abroad, their mission linked to conservation, preservation, restoration, dissemination and enhancement of heritage, and how these activities and objectives are pursued and modulated by the institutions that we commonly call film archives. Students will acquire practical knowledge about the organization and functioning of these institutions through the analysis and discussion of specific cases and through simulations and group work.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the workshop, students will have acquired the historical, cultural, and organizational concepts related to the institutions that deal with film heritage. They will also have assimilated the first bases of the main activities carried out by the film archives, in particular the conservation, restoration, cataloguing, and web presentation of the heritage.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Topics included in the workshop program:
· What film archives are and what they do.
· Introduction to the history of the film archive movement.
· The material of the film. Analog and digital: formats and physical characteristics
· Bases of cataloguing and identification of films
· What film restoration really is.
· Web heritage enhancement practices.
· Fiaf - Code of Ethics.
· Debunking myths and legends about film archives.
· What film archives are and what they do.
· Introduction to the history of the film archive movement.
· The material of the film. Analog and digital: formats and physical characteristics
· Bases of cataloguing and identification of films
· What film restoration really is.
· Web heritage enhancement practices.
· Fiaf - Code of Ethics.
· Debunking myths and legends about film archives.
Prerequisites for admission
No particular prerequisites are mandatory, but basic knowledge of the cinema history is preferable. Willingness to actively participate in classroom work and to be present at off-site activities is also required.
Teaching methods
The teaching method engages students through active participation in conversations also based on assigned readings and group work. There will be visits archives or cinemas that deal with audiovisual conservation.
Teaching Resources
Reference materials include readings, videos, and webpages, which will be made available during classes.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be tested through dialogue and classroom work.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)