1.3 Sources of Information

Information entered in a record must be derived from a source. Acceptable sources of information for moving image Works, Variants, Manifestations and Items include primary and secondary sources.

Primary sources include information on the actual Item itself. For example, for moving image materials, titles and main production credits are transcribed from the frames usually in the opening credits, and other production credits from the end titles and credits. Secondary sources include information written on containers and reference materials. For example, credit, title, date, and other information derived from publications such as AFI Catalog of Feature Films: 1930-1939, or Det Danske Filminstitut Filmdatabasen , etc.

Although primary sources are generally preferred, this manual allows for the use of secondary sources no matter the entity, attribute or relationship described in recognition that there may be constraints on the amount of research or viewing a cataloguer can do.

Whether information is taken from primary and/or secondary sources as listed below, indicate that fact either by means of a note or by some other means (e.g., through coding or the use of square brackets, specific fields, or links to other databases).1 Add the source of the information in a Note field and include the element name.

Cite each individual source of information using an agreed upon, consistently applied citation style, such as The Chicago Manual of Style, or other style guide.

Primary source information can be derived from:

a) the title frame(s) or title screen(s)2

b) embedded metadata in textual form that contains a title (e.g., metadata embedded in an MPEG video file)3

c) the director (or other crew/cast members) involved in the production of the moving image, either via verbal or written communication.

d) an eye-readable label bearing a title that is permanently printed on or affixed to the resource (excluding accompanying textual material or a container)4

Example

Title derived from film opening credits.

Where viewing the primary source is not possible, the cataloguer is dependent on secondary sources.

Secondary source information can be derived from:

e) accompanying material or a container issued as part of the resource itself5

f) a container that is not issued as part of the resource itself (e.g., a box, case made by the owner)6

g) other published descriptions of the resource (e.g. a reference source, website, press packs, etc.) 7

h) any other available source (including family or colleagues of crew/cast members with information.)8

Access to sources of information has increased massively in the 21st century, particularly with the World Wide Web.

This means it is particularly important for the cataloguer to consider the authority and context of the source before utilising information from it, e.g. whose website is it and where did their information come from?

As far as possible use authoritative secondary sources, e.g. official websites for a film, press packs, published catalogues and directories, and data from other Archives accessible databases, websites, or publications, who may have researched and created records for the moving image already. Sources may also include other non-moving image collections held by your institution, such as special collections of papers, books, newspaper cuttings, stills, posters, etc.

The number of websites stating the same “fact” is not a safe indicator. Websites copy off each other and it is easy for an erroneous fact to be perpetuated across multiple websites9. The cataloguer needs to assess, balance, and judge accuracy, e.g. IMDB and Wikipedia can be good for information, but they also allow submissions and changes from the public so it is not necessarily always accurate.

When taking details and information from secondary source materials then cite those sources, either in relevant notes fields on a record as a Cataloguer’s Notes, or linking to a related non-moving image collection record within your institution's database systems if relevant, e.g. a related associative link to a book record or periodical article record.

If citing websites take a note of the full title and author where relevant, not just the URL link. The latter can change or the website become defunct over time, so fuller precise details are advisable.

In instances where Primary source data relating to on-screen titles and credits, or embedded metadata is verfied as erroneous and incorrect through other Primary or authoritative Secondary sources then details of this should be added to a Work History or Notes field on the Work.

Example

Il vangelo secondo Matteo (Italy, 1964)

Work History note: The credits in the opening titles on actual prints of the film give 'Alessandro Clerici' as playing the role of Pontius Pilate. However, he was in fact played by Alessandro Tasca (aka Alessandro Tasca di Cutò). Verified by his daughter Ama Tasca di Cutò in correspondence with the BFI (February 2020) and further researched by the BFI in conjunction with Cineteca Bologna. Alessandro Tasca also discusses his taking on the role of Pilate in Pasolini's film, and his fee for the day's work, in correspondence with Orson Welles (housed at the University of Michigan). Distribution information from c.1964/65 from UniItalia in Rome and from other English distribution companies of the film in the 1960s also cite 'Alessandro Tasca' as the credit for Pontius Pilate.

  1. Based on RDA 2.2.4 Other Sources of Information ↩

  2. RDA 2.20.2.3 Title Source ↩

  3. RDA 2.20.2.3 Title Source ↩

  4. Adapted from RDA 2.2.2.3 Resources Consisting of Moving Images ↩

  5. Based on RDA 2.2.4 Other Sources of Information ↩

  6. RDA 2.2.4 Other Sources of Information ↩

  7. RDA 2.2.4 Other Sources of Information ↩

  8. RDA 2.2.4 Other Sources of Information ↩

  9. See the name note on the BFI record for Richard Greene ↩