17.1 Restorations

A moving image restoration is the complex process of returning a moving image to a known, earlier state that is as faithful as possible to its original release, respecting its authenticity, historical integrity, and the creators' intentions. It involves research, technical repair of physical damage, and the removal of time-based deterioration using both analogue and digital technologies. [Google AI - Is that quoting from an actual paragraph or devising a definition based on sentences scattered throughout the Ethics document?]

Where the original release may have been heavily cut and censored, or there were multiple released versions, then this may involve re-inserting footage that did not exist in the original release, but was intended by the creator.

[ADD LINK TO FIAF ETHICS DOCUMENT - https://www.fiafnet.org/pages/Community/fiaf-code-of-ethics-revised-2025-en.html#:~:text=1.6%20FIAF%20affiliates%20acknowledge%20the,one%20of%20its%20original%20formats.]

Restorations are also Variants/Versions. So they go through the same assessment as any Variant before cataloguing, i.e. deciding whether the restored version constitutes minor or major changes,[ADD LINK TO BOUNDARIES BETWEEN WORKS AND VARIANTS] and what, if any, new records may need to be created (depending on your data system and structures).

Cataloguing for Restoration projects usually involves two core aspects:

• The creation of new records; particularly Variants, Manifestations, and Items, and occasionally Works

• The enhancing and updating of existing records to improve data

As existing Items are inspected and assessed as part of the materials selection process in a restoration, it gives the ideal opportunity for identification, or to fill in any gaps in data or information relating to those existing Item records.

Similarly, extra research carried out as part of a restoration project may provide further relevant information about both the original Work and restoration(s) that can be added to the Work record to enhance it, e.g. missing credits, production details, etc.

17.1.1 Restorations - Works/Variants

Some restorations are simply improving the film/colour/sound quality of deteriorating original prints, without inserting any missing or extra scenes or new music scores, etc.

These would equate with minor changes in versions and not need a new Work record created, although a Variant record would be created in 4-level hierarchy structures and systems. Any technical information relating to the restoration would be added to a new Manifestation/Item record.

In the large majority of cases it will not be necessary to create a new Work record for a Restoration. Since a restoration involves copying pre-existing Items in Collections, which would normally already be linked to a Work record via Manifestation(s), it is usually a matter of creating a new linked Variant (if used) with a new Restoration Manifestation, and associating the Items created as part of the restoration process to that Restoration Manifestation.

[4 LEVEL DIAGRAM]

Or if Variants are not used then:

[3 LEVEL DIAGRAM]

If using a 2 or 1 level system then structuring similar to that of Production Materials could be utilised if a lot of new Items are generated, e.g. [DIAGRAMS]

New Work with titling reflecting its nature, i.e. Film title [Restoration Production Materials], with all Items data on that, or in linked dual Manifestations/Items. New Work then related associatively with original Work. [ADD DIAGRAMS]

Where a restoration involves substantial editing of the original Work, e.g. new found scenes which may change the whole storyline or its slant, or, in systems that do not use Variants, multiple new cast/credits that differ from or are in addition to those of the original Work; then a new Work for the restoration should be created.

Further information regarding whether a new Work is needed or not can be found in the Boundaries between Works and Boundaries between Works and Variants sections of this Manual [ADD LINK HERE]

The original Work and any new restoration Work should be linked in an associative relationship with each other. The Restoration Manifestation, and its associated Items, should then be linked as part of the new Work.

17.1.2 Restorations - Manifestations

Restoration Manifestation Type represents the outcome(s) of restoration events/activities, usually involving selection and aggregation of materials from diverse source elements to replicate an “original” or “ideal” manifestation

Any dates associated with this Manifestation should be those of the restoration project dates, not the original date of the film, e.g. a 2024-2025 restoration project relating to a 1921 film will have the 2024-2025 dates associated with it. Any Variant record will have the date of the actual release of the restored moving image associated with it.

Additionally, if required, there is the option of creating a second, or more, Restoration Manifestation(s) for specific outcomes of the project, such as a Demonstration Reel, particularly where there may be several Items, or copies, of this on different formats. This would be linked to the same Work record as the main Restoration Manifestation, and its nature can be reflected and distinguished from the latter using a semi-devised title.

[ADD DIAGRAM demonstrating this]

[ADD DIAGRAM with Napoleon Tryptic eg.]

Alternatively, such Items can be attached to the one original Restoration Manifestation along with all other the other Items associated with the restoration project, again with the option of using a semi-devised title to identify and distinguish it.

The title of any such second Restoration Manifestation and/or Item(s) should reflect this extra identifying detail within the titling, using the cataloguing stylistics of your institution eg. Great White Silence (Restoration Demonstration Reel).

In both Manifestations and Items such titles should indicate that they are devised titles.

17.1.3 Restorations - Items

Items created by an Archive as part of a restoration project are associated with the Restoration Manifestation. If the full released restored version of the moving image is also subsequently acquired, e.g. a published DVD/Blu Ray, then a Home Viewing Manifestation should also be created and a new Item record for the acquisition created and linked to that.

Events, such as the premiere of a restored film, would be linked with a new Theatrical Manifestation for the release of the restoration, rather than with the Restoration Manifestation. Again, if a full final print of the restored film exists then it should be created as a new Item and linked to a Theatrical Manifestation. [Need to check scenarios for this as depends on context - as mentioned below]

All the Item elements created and used in the production of the restored film should be linked under the Restoration Manifestation, eg. separate Magenta, Yellow and Cyan Separation Negative Items, soundtracks, various footages, intertitle reels, etc.

All the copies made of pre-existing Items for a restoration project should have new Item records created and be linked to or associated with the Restoration Manifestation.

All the existing Items from which the copies have been made (ie. the source Items) should remain with their existing Manifestations and not be moved to link or associate with the Restoration Manifestation.

The new copy Item record should always cite or be linked to its original source Item record, preferably using the latter’s unique id number.

If produced in-house, then the actual equipment used to create the copy may also be indicated if required.

Where to link any final complete print Item record depends on context.

If the institution is also going to be the main distributor and the final print is for this purpose, then it too can also be linked under this same Restoration Manifestation. It represents the final outcome of the restoration project and the institution itself is the creator and provider of this print rather than simply acquiring a print of the Theatrical release.

However, if an institution was involved with a restoration project in conjunction with other institutions and acquires a copy of the final print released theatrically for its collection, then any Item for that would be linked to a Theatrical Manifestation for the moving image.

Digital file Items of Restorations that are used for internet streaming by the institution itself should be linked to a new Internet Manifestation.

The same data can be collected, grouped and recorded in any system. For example:

If an index card catalogue, or non-relational database, then add the information to an existing record for the original film, possibly under a heading of “Restoration version + [date]”. The original source of any new Items for the project should also be recorded. Or else create a new record for the restoration version, and add the details on that, relating it to the original film record using a “See also” reference