This book offers a unique window on the world of film archiving. The author brings a historical, economic, and social framework to bear upon this unique community, looking at the people, institutions, and corporations that play key roles in the preservation endeavor. Through ethnographic narratives that place the reader squarely within the scene, Gracy gives readers the context to understand fully the complexities of film archiving work, and what it means to be a member of this profession.

Provides an introduction to the major players in the film community and the internal and external forces that influence film preservation, as well as a background of the film preservation movement. The book also addresses the constraints of funding, intellectual property issues, and the orphan film movement. The primary focus is on the relationships among the various players: archives, studio and film preservation labs, and content owners.

The book draws material from the Gracy's field work. Some of the issues discussed include

• The great flexibility in how archivists use the term preservation
• How much control do archivists really have over film preservation
• Does archival imperative trump the physical imperative?