7.3 Elements of a Variant

This section describes the metadata elements that can be used to describe a Variant. It is up to each institution to choose which elements are most applicable to describe their collections and according to what their system can support.

This Manual recommends using the qualifier “Type” for several core elements if an institution’s system can support it. In these cases, “Type” is used to define the source, function or purpose of the value entered in the main element. Using a “Type” qualifier conforms to its use in Dublin Core and other Dublin Core-influenced standards such as EBUCore and PBCore. Examples of using “Type” include the Identifier, Title, Date, and Description elements.

7.3.1 Variant Identifier

Create an unambiguous reference to the Variant using a unique identifier and indicate the type of identifier. The identifier should be a numerical or alphanumerical reference. This identifier is for the content of the Work, not for a specific Item. Work, Manifestations and Items have their own Identifiers, discussed in other sections. This Work Identifier is shared by all Variants, Manifestations and Items associated to the Work.

In a way, a unique Variant Identifier can have more value than a Variant’s Title. Titles can confuse through different spellings, translations, and are not unique (i.e., King Kong). An Identifier refers to a specific Variant and provides clear disambiguation between Works and Variants when there is confusion.

There can be more than one Variant unique identifier for the content. This commonly occurs when institutions have content assigned identifiers by various standards or distribution agencies (ISAN, EIDR), or a government or other official body in the archive’s country has assigned an identifier to the work. An institution will likely have its own internal Identifier as well, often auto-generated by an institution’s information or asset management system.

7.3.2 Title

Record the title, an identifying phrase, or name for a Variant as applicable.

For dubbed or subtitled versions of a moving image, the title of the Variant is in that same dubbed/subtitled language, the language in which it was released or distributed, e.g.

Example

Work Title: Jour de fête (France, 1947. Jacques Tati, Jacques)
Dubbed Variant Title: Het is feest vandaag (1964, dubbed in Dutch)
Dubbed Variant Title: Tatis Schützenfest (1964, dubbed in German)

The same applies to Variants of silent films with intertitles and/or credits in another language to that of the original.

Example

Work Title: Nosferatu. Eine Symphonie des Grauens (Germany, 1922. F.W. Murnau)
Intertitle Variant Title: Nosferatu (1947 version, English intertitles)
Intertitle Variant Title: Nosferatu, una sinfonía de horror (1931 version, Spanish intertitles)

If your institution is applying the use of “Type” qualifiers, use “Title Type” to state the function of a particular title (see Title Type and Titles and Title Types).

Ideally, the record should at a minimum contain the “preferred title” (also referred to as “main” or “original” title) of the Variant. It may differ from the title found on a particular manifestation of the Work; the actual title on the Manifestation is noted in the Manifestation Title element (see Title). See Title Types for additional information.

This may be via use of a “Title type” qualifier.

Example

Gone with the wind (United States of America, 1939, Victor Fleming)

Gone with the wind – Preferred Title of the Work

Via col vento – Variant title – Dubbed (Italian)

Gejaagd door de win – Variant title – Dubbed (Dutch)

Autant en emporte le vent – Variant title – Dubbed – (French)

風と共に去りぬ – Variant title – Dubbed (Japanese)

Example

Аленький цветочек (USSR, 1952, Lev Atamanov)

Аленький цветочек – Title of the Work

Alenkiy tsvetochek: Alternative (transliterated) title of Work/ Variant (Preferred title if systems don’t use Cyrillic)

Feuerrotes Blümchen – Variant title – Dubbed (German)

The Scarlet Flower – Variant title – Dubbed (English)

See Titles and structuring of series/serials [NEEDS RELINKING AS THIS CHAPTER HAS MOVED AND IS NO LONGER IN APPENDICES - ALSO ADD SECTION NUMBER] for some other Variant titling examples.

7.3.3 Country of Reference

Where known and applicable, record the geographic origin of the Variant.

This may differ from that of the original Work, for example, a Restored version of a film created by archives from different countries. Thus Kevin Brownlow's 1980 Restoration Variant of the original Work Napoléon (France, 1927. Abel Gance) would have United Kingdowm as country of reference.

Where an official national certificate or designation of a Work exists, use this as the authoritative source, e.g., Italian government department designates what is officially an Italian film.³ When more than one place is associated with a Variant, choose the place(s) with primary importance.

Establishing the country of reference for a Variant is the same as for a Work, including forms and historical changes of country name. See details at [INSERT LINK TO 6.3.3.]

7.3.4 Year/Date of Reference

A year or fuller date (e.g., day/month/year) is essential to identifying a particular Variant. The date of the Variant may be the same as the Work, but it is often a slightly later date connected to the moving image's release or broadcast in a dubbed or subtitled language in a different country, or else connected with a much later restored or colourised version.

A common use of year/date is chronological ordering of lists of Works and their Variants.⁷ As explained below, these guidelines recommend, where possible, applying two qualifiers to a Date element: Date Type, and Date Precision.

In the absence of a clear release or broadcast date, provide a year of creation or production, or else an estimated year in combination with a Date Precision .

Record any dates associated with the Variants formatted according to ISO 8601 or other available resources, such as EDTF (Extended Date Time Format). ISO 8601 prescribes that dates should be formatted hierarchically as Year-Month-Day, using this convention: YYYY-MM-DD. Example: 2015-07-04. This structure eliminates confusion when dates can be formatted with month before day or day before month (e.g., 07/04/2015 or 04/7/2015). Using the ISO format makes indexing and sorting more efficient. Using words (June 11, 2004), while perhaps user-friendly in its narrative construction, are difficult to index as dates. Mixing date formats causes confusion in data retrieval and for users!

Where full dates are not known use Year-Month YYYY-MM or just Year YYYY, as systems permit.

7.3.4.1 Date Type

The year or date should be associated with an event in the life cycle of the Variant (see Events (e.g., IPR registration, screenings, awards, etc.)). If your system supports it, apply a “Date Type” qualifier to make the date or year purpose clear. Date Type terms should be derived from a controlled vocabulary. For a list of initial terms, see Event Type.

For Variants, the date is typically related to events such as its creation, availability (i.e. publication, release, distribution, broadcast or transmission) or registration (e.g. for copyright or intellectual property purposes), or bestowal of an award.

7.3.4.2 Date Precision

Where possible, provide a “Date Precision” qualifier to note if the date is precise, approximate, estimated, or a range. EDTF also provides codes to denote precision. For example, an uncertain or approximate date may be formatted thus: 2004-06~-11 (year and month are approximate; day known). Using a Date Precision qualifier, this Date entry could be entered as:

Date: 2004-06-11
Date Type: Creation
Date Precision: Approximate

An institution may choose to use a precision qualifier for imprecise dates.

If ISO formatting and/or the Date Precision qualifier are not applied, then use consistent terms and formatting to note date approximations.⁹:

One year or the other

Example

1971 or 1972

Probable Year (with qualifying note to indicate date is probably 1969)

Example

[1969?]

1969?

Circa 1969

Approximate Year

Example

[Circa 1960]

Circa 1960

1960 circa

Decade Certain

Example

191-

Decade 1910

1910 decade

Probable Decade (with qualifying note to indicate that date is probable decade date)

Example

[191-?]

1910 decade

Decade 1910

Use for time spans, the outside limits of which can be precisely determined

Example

between 1906 and 1912

Where system has date start/ date end functionality

Example

1906 1912

In instances such as these, a note should be given which further explains the Date.

Example

[Personal record. Eugene Meyer family. Family camping trip through the Canadian Rockies]. -- US, 1926.

[Note] Year from notes accompanying item, attached to inventory, and from Merlo Pusey’s Eugene Meyer, (New York: Knopf, 1974), p.195

7.3.5 Language(s)

A moving image Work is conceived and presented in a particular language or set of languages. Changes to the original language(s), as in the case of dubbing, are considered minor changes and can constitute a Variant of a moving image Work.

Alternatively, such minor changes can constitute a new Manifestation of a moving image Work rather than a Variant. Institutions using cataloguing structures that do not distinguish Variant level information (for example, those that create records primarily at the Manifestation level), should apply this alternative. (See guidelines for language in a Manifestation: Language)

Indicate the language(s) (e.g., Italian) and usage(s) (e.g., Italian intertitles) in which the moving image Variant/Manifestation is written, spoken or sung, if applicable. More than one language can occur in different forms, depending on how the content is expressed (e.g., French dialogue and English subtitles).

7.3.5.1 Language Term

Record the language(s) by taking the most suitable value(s) from a controlled list of languages.

This can be an in-house list but it is preferable to use a standard language list such as the ISO 639 codes, including ISO 639-2, 693-3 and 639-5 (http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/langhome.html).

Optionally, record the language code as found in ISO 639, where allowable.

If no language can be determined, the information can be omitted or indicated by a value of “unknown”.

7.3.5.2 Usage Type

Record the usage type of a language (e.g. spoken, intertitles, subtitles, etc.) by taking the most suitable term from a controlled list elaborated in-house or referring to an existing authoritative list. See Language Usage Types. [ADD LINK TO SAME LANGUAGE USAGE SECTION WITH LIST IN WORKS]

Optionally, record language usage type at the Manifestation/Item level (see Language). A value of “original” can be added to the Language element here to indicate that statements made about the language(s) for a particular Manifestation/Item are indicative of the language(s) of the “original” Work. ¹⁰

7.3.6 Content description (synopses, shotlists, etc)¹

See [add link to Content description in Works chapter]

An institution may decide to replicate the synopsis and/or shotlist of the Work in the Variant record and add in additional descriptions of any changes, e.g. particulars about some scenes added in for a Director's Cut version of a film.

Alternatively an institution may choose only to add information about the content of the moving image Variant where it differs from the content of the Work, rather than duplicate data.

Where the Variant is simply a different language edition (i.e. dubbed or subtitled) or a different colour and there is no change at all to the content then it is not necessary to include a synopsis or shotlist as the linked Work should have one.

The content description can be based on a viewing of the Variant, accompanying documentation, or secondary sources, but the source should be clearly noted.

7.3.6.1 Content Description Type

Include a qualifying keyword or otherwise denote the type of summary (e.g. Synopsis, Shotlist, Review).¹³

7.3.7 Notes

Notes for moving image Variants are annotations providing additional information or clarification relating specifically to Variants attributes and relationships.¹⁴ See Cataloguer’s Notes.

7.3.8 History

Record historical information about events of interest in the creation of the Variant that is of value for your users, such as censorship edits, production versions, and the like. This historical information may be recorded in association with instances of Events or Agents.

If desired, institutions may include historical information that crosses over into being about the Manifestation(s) and/or Item(s). This may be done where there is value to the user in keeping all the information together for research or clarification purposes rather than across disparate Manifestation and Item records. This may also be applied where no History fields exist in an institution’s system at Manifestation or Item levels, or a no hierarchy one level structure is used.

Example

Christopher Columbus (United Kingdom, 1949, David MacDonald)

There are three documented versions. Version one: which has the shortened reels 3A and 3B; Version two: which has the shorter ending; Version three: which has the long ending (this script is based on the full length reels 3A and 3B and on the short ending, as this is the export version. The short ending (version two) has Columbus reinstated by the King and Queen, him leaving their presence and telling Juana he will be remembered longer than the monarchs as he walks down a corridor. The longer version (version three) has a more American feel with two sailors informing Columbus of the great nation his discovery will give rise to, complete with quotes from Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.

7.3.8.1 Custodial History

If desired, write a brief custodial history of the Variant if known, particularly for rare and unique materials. Indicate the current holding institution of the original or master material if known.

Information on the provenance of the specific Items in an archive’s collection should be included in the Item sections.

7.3.8.2 Censorship History

Document information related to the censorship history of a Variant, including:¹⁵

Any events in which a Manifestation/Item of a Variant was evaluated by a censorship body or an accredited rating agency.

The geographic region for which the verdict is (was) valid.

Any identifier issued by the agency uniquely identifying the act of rating or censorship and associated documents such as censorship visa or rating certificates.

The outcome of the act of rating or censorship.

Example

À bout de souffle (France, 1960, Jean-Luc Godard)

In Italy, this film has three different theatrical distributions, corresponding to three different visas (“visto di censura”) from the official censorship body (Ufficio di revisione cinematografica).

Censored Variant: Theatrical distribution in Italy – censorship visa n. 32329 – date: 1960-07-05 – Length 2463m – original French – not for under 16 years

Dubbed, Censored Variant: Theatrical distribution in Italy – censorship visa n. 57609 – date: 1971-01-23 – Length 2440m. – Italian

Dubbed, Censored Variant: Theatrical distribution in Italy– censorship visa n. 64662 – date: 1974-05-20 – Length 2430m. – Italian dubbed

7.3.8.3 Other Variant History

Any other relevant information or clarifications pertaining to the Variant.

Explanations of cut, added, or altered scenes.

Example

It's a wonderful life (abridged version) streamed on Amazon. Cuts about 22-30 minutes from the film, particularly the entire crucial section where George Bailey's guardian angel shows him an alternative Bedford Falls. This was connected with a legal copyright situation in which the film's visuals entered the public domain, but elements from the underlying short story on which it was based and the musical score remained protected.

Any new or re-inserted elements, or re-dubbed elements, involving different cast or crew associated with the Variant.

Example

Spartacus (United States of America, 1991)
Restored, re-edited version which reinserted shots and scenes cut from the original, one of which was a scene between Tony Curtis and Laurence Olivier for which the original soundtrack was missing. For the redubbing, Anthony Hopkins did the voice for Laurence Olivier's part. This scene was originally cut for censorship reasons as the dialogue touched on homosexuality/bi-sexuality.

For information about titling and structuring of Variant series/serials and newsreels/cinemagazines see 11.5.7 Titles and structuring of Variant series/serials [ADD LINK]

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1. Adapted from YCR, 1.2.16 Summary of genre, form, and subject matter of work, p. 38. ↩

2. EN 15907, 6.5 Country of Reference, p. 19 ↩

3. The certification of “Italian nationality” is provided by the law/decree 2004, n. 28, part. 5 (but already provided in the former law 1213/1965). According to the 2004 law, the biggest part of the cast and crew, the locations, and the technical facilities have to be Italian, and 30% of the budget has to be spent in Italy. There is a number of exceptions for artistic reasons and in case of co-productions. ↩

4. The first of these was the formula followed by the British Film Institute. BFI CID Stylistics Manual – 2nd Edition. A.8.1., which subsequently changed to using a country of reference ordering based more on the on-screen ordering of production companies. CID Cataloguing Manual|Moving Image Catalogue (revised 2022). F.4 and F.4.1. ↩

5. http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/country_codes.htm ↩

6. ISO 3166-3 Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions -- Part 3: Code for formerly used names of countries, is available for purchase as a PDF on the ISO website: http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=2130 ↩

7. EN 15907, 6.6 Year of Reference, p. 20 ↩

8. Irish Film Archive, p. 13. ↩

9. FIAF, 3.5.4, p. 64 ↩

10. The indication of “original” values at the Manifestation level follows EN 15907 attributes of a Manifestation, pp. 10-11 ↩

11. FIAF 7.2.12. Summary ↩

12. Irish Film Archive, p. 23. ↩

13. EN 15907, 6.17.3 Elements, Description type, p. 30. ↩

14. Based on RDA 2.20.1.Basic Instructions on Making Notes on Manifestations or Items ↩

15. EN 15907, 6.13 Decision event, pp. 26-27. ↩