FAQ
- What is the NRFTA?
- What is a film archive?
- What are the vaults?
- Are you part of the University?
- How can I attend a film show? Do I need tickets?
- How do you preserve film?
- My film smells bad, what is wrong with it?
- I’ve heard of vinegar syndrome. What is it?
- I have heard old film is dangerous. Is this true?
- I have old videotapes in a format I don’t recognise and I have no working machine. Can you help?
- What are the different film formats?
- What is the best way to store my home movies safely?
- What is the best way to store my home movies on CDs or DVDs?
- How can I watch old film I have?
- I have some old film which I would like to be transferred to view on DVD. Can you help?
- How can I license archive footage or stills from you to use in my TV production?
- I would like to speak to you for guidance, how would I approach this?
What is the NRFTA?
The Northern Region Film & Television Archive is the public moving image archive for the North East of England based at Teesside University in Middlesbrough. Click here to read more about the NRFTA.
What is a film archive?
A film archive is a place where old film,video and other moving image content is kept and prserved in trust for the public. An archive in the public sector cares for the collections in its charge and aims to make film content available to the public through a number of ways.
What are the vaults?
The vaults are environmentally controlled rooms where we keep the film and video material deposited for safekeeping for the public and organisations.
Are you part of the University?
Teesside University was one of the founders of the NRFTA and we are based on the University campus in the Middlesbrough Tower. You can learn more about the University working with the NRFTA through our history page.
How can I attend a film show? Do I need tickets?
The majority of our film shows are free though some require a booked ticket depending on the event and venue. . The NRFTA also participates in various other events or festivals for outside organisations and groups. These screening events may command a small charge. Click here to view our full events listing.
How do you preserve film?
We store film material in our environmentally controlled vaults which help to slow down the ageing process of the film. We also have highly trained technicians on hand to care and maintain film.
There is a strange odour coming from my film, what is wrong with it?
This could be due to a protective chemical applied on the film to help preserve it. If it smells like vinegar, it is most likely suffering from vinegar syndrome and we recommend transferring the material to dvd to prevent further damage.
I’ve heard of vinegar syndrome, what is it?
It is a term to describe a form of degrading acetate film. This material releases acetic acid, the key ingredient in vinegar and responsible for its acidic smell. The problem became known as the "vinegar syndrome."
I have heard old film is dangerous is this true?
Some forms of film can be dangerous. Nitrate is very volatile and it can react violently to heat so it is best kept in cool dry conditions. The majority of nitrate stock is only found on 35mm film. Please see the attached PDF which provides additional information. The NRFTA does not have the facilities to take nitrate films. However please contact us if you require further advice.
I have old videotapes in a format I don’t recognize and I have no working machine. Can you help?
We can assist with this but you will need to contact us for full details.
What is the best way to store my home movies safely?
Please contact us for advice, or read our Your Films article
What is the best way to store my home movies on CDs or DVDs?
DVDs are primarily the best option for video material because of the amount of footage you are able to store on a DVD over a CD. Add into that the superior image quality and ease of use for watching the material in a DVD player, the DVD format is the best option.
How can I watch old film I have?
We recommend that if you wish to view material, you have someone present who knows how to handle film. With old film, without the proper care material can be damaged or even lost. At the archive we transfer material at cost but keep the original safe for the future.
Would you be interested in donating film to the NRFTA?
If they were of interest to the NRFTA, we could transfer your films at a much cheaper rate than a commercial company.
How can I license archive footage or stills from you to use in my TV production?
Please contact us to discuss the required licence.
I would like to speak to you for guidance, how would I approach this?
Please feel free to call us on 01642 384022 or send us an email to enquiries@nrfta.org.uk. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
For this please use our contacts page for full details on contacting the NRFTA.