Your Film Reels are at Risk!
In addition to family photos, we also convert more than 30 formats of home movies. There’s something magical about moving pictures, but your aging 8mm and 16mm film reels are at risk
Some film reels are more than 100 years old, and every year your film sits unwatched it gets more difficult to convert. Therefore, we strongly encourage our clients to preserve their film reels as soon as possible. These are some of the ways that film reels decay:
Vinegar Syndrome
One of the most common signs of movie film decay is also the easiest to detect. Vinegar syndrome is a natural chemical change in movie film, largely impacted by storage conditions, and easily identified by a pungent vinegar smell.
There’s no way to reverse vinegar syndrome, and it’s a sign that your film is on the verge of more severe damage including brittleness and shrinkage. If your film smells like vinegar, it’s necessary to have it digitized immediately, before it’s too late.
Brittleness
As film ages it loses its flexibility. This can range from mild stiffness to a complete inability to bend without breaking into many tiny pieces. There’s no way to reverse brittle film, so it’s important to digitize film reels as soon as possible.
Shrinkage
Film reels can also shrink and curl over time. This chemical decay causes the sprocket holes to become inconsistent, the image emulsion puckers and pulls away from the plastic film base, and the film becomes unrecoverable. Some film reels are over 100 years old, so it’s urgent to have them digitized as soon as possible.
If you’re concerned about your at risk film reels and want to get them digitized before it’s too late, reach out for a free estimate.
Interested in working with Chaos to Memories?
If you’re near Chicago and ready to get started, come visit our Wheaton Studio Monday – Friday, 10-5. Please bring your memories with you.
If you live outside the Chicagoland area, we’re happy to send you a Project Form and Contract, along with shipping instructions, so you can get started on your project.
Contact us for more information.