A Research Primer

A Primer on Researching Moving Image and Audio Collections

Contributors: Karen Cariani, Charles "Buckey" Grimm, Andrea Leigh, Dale Stieber

Introduction

Evaluating Images and Resources

How to Get Started

Different Repositories and Collection Types

What You Might Find at a Repository Web site

Access Issues of Privacy and Ownership

Technical Needs

Using Film, Video or Audio in Research: Be a Records Creator!

Additional Resources

Introduction

Moving images in film and video and audio recordings such as newsreels, radio and television broadcasts, phonographs, home movies and videos, industrial and educational films, oral histories, and even online images are a large part of the historical record of the twentieth century. Often though, it seems as if access to these historical recordings is difficult, daunting or alien to a researcher, educator or student. Many collections of visual or aural history held by archives, libraries or museums may not be familiar. However, with the advent of the Internet and the digital environment, records of these collections and even copies of the original work are becoming more readily available.

This primer aims to provide guidelines, resources and encouragement for anyone--student, teacher, researcher--interested in using moving images and audio collections.

A note about oral histories:

Social history is made up of first hand accounts, many of which contribute unique details about events and provide additional information. In the early 20th century, the practice of recording oral histories was introduced to document the diversity of the social experience. Audio collections of oral histories in their original form, along with other forms of audio recordings, contribute the nuances of speech and expression beyond a written text of the interview. The use of audio and video recording technologies serve to preserve experiences in a unique way. Written transcriptions of the recording were, and still are, an important element of the process and research tool, but hearing the voice or seeing the face of a person adds valuable layers of communication that no transcript can provide.

Many visual and oral history collections are described at Web sites online, including streaming audio and video of all or portions of an interview, and are readily accessible resources for a teacher or researcher.

Evaluating Images and Resources

As a researcher, think critically about all sources of information. Every book, pamphlet, movie, TV news, radio program, and interview presents a point of view that is shaped by the person, people and organization that created it. Creating images requires resources, a command of a visual language and often resourcefulness: the craft of producing moving images is to make the viewing experience feel natural, yet it is a contrived production. To urge critical thinking is not to imply that every document is slanted propaganda. Critical thinking involves considering the context and original purpose for a work and how that may impact what one watches years later. It is important to think about how moving images are constructed, why particularly interviews or films were recorded and in what context.

Case Study: A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire

A Trip Down Market Street Before The Fire

It is a rare glimpse into the past to see the actual buildings, dress, street life and modes of transportation of the time period. The buildings seen here would be lost a year later after the great earthquake and fire.

One is part of the busy thoroughfare of automobiles, horse drawn carriages, wagons, trucks and crossing cable cars illustrating the diversity of vehicles used at the time. But check the notes that accompany the shotlist, whereby the archivist who studied the film describes that many times the automobiles seen crossing in front of the cable car are actually the same cars. The film’s producer had hired them to do so!

We may not know precisely the reason why the producer wanted to show more automobiles, but we do want to recognize that is what was done. At the same time, a film or video can be created for one purpose and you use it for another. Consider your own context and perspective when viewing film or recordings of other periods.

A researcher can hone the skills needed to evaluate the technologies of film, video and audio recordings, photography and the Internet by consulting useful tips on critical thinking. The following are three different online resources that can help:

"History Matters"

"History Matters" is a Web site of the American Social History Project based at City University in New York. The Project “aims to revitalize interest in history by challenging the traditional ways people learn about the past.”

"Making Sense of Evidence"

Web page provides a directory of guidelines and tools for analysis of all forms of documents including film, photographs and oral history.

"Making Sense of Films"

“Making Sense of Film” written by Tom Gunning, a Professor in the Art Department of the University of Chicago, offers a guide and essays on using early film, what questions to ask, and an annotated bibliography of online resources.

The Pacific Bell/UCLA Initiative on 21st Century Literacies

Web site is designed for educators, teachers and parents. Offers guidelines for developing skills to interpret and evaluate visual materials.

"How to Conduct Reliable Web Research"

When researching, particularly on the Internet, one needs to consider the reliability of the source. A good, short reference can be found on FDU Magazine Online.

How to Get Started

Innovative resources such as Moving Image Collections begs a certain amount of query. Questions arise, such as:

How do I gain access to the material I want?
What can I expect to find and where?
What types of formats are available?
Are there Donor restrictions? Copyright restrictions?

It is imperative for one to understand that if effective research is to be done, there are certain guidelines to follow in order to get the most out of the images that have become available.

We need to begin by first defining what we hope to find in our research. In order not to get bogged down by looking at reels and reels of film (as much fun as that may be), we need to focus on the job at hand. We also need to decide what we intend to do when we locate the footage we are looking for. Is it just to be informational in a text format described to make a point, are we looking to “grab “ a single frame to make a point, or are we looking to utilize these images for use in a presentation of some sort? All of these situations can be key in determining what our needs are with regards to the footage.

Once we have narrowed our focus into what we are looking for, the next step is to find a way to gain access to these images. This can and will vary dependant upon the institution you wish to search. Before an attempt is made to travel to a repository to access footage, you should always first make an effort to find out the rules and regulations of any institution you are aiming to visit. Understand that many of the places you are going to contact have limited funds and limited personnel. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to be well prepared and efficient in your efforts.

In many cases, once you have identified your specific requirements, the first place you will search will be the Internet. This is a fine place to start, however always keep in mind, the Internet is a tool, use it as such. Nothing takes the place of rolling up your sleeves, going to where your material is located, and be a first person witness to this material. Many institutions have online catalogs that you can utilize.

An important thing to remember: since not all institutions provide public access to an online catalog, it is not unusual to go to a repository, archive, or library, ask about certain material, and then discover that a member of the staff has gone to a terminal, punched up your query, and said “No we do not have anything on this subject.” Politely, don’t accept that as a final answer. It may be that the question posed was misunderstood or lacking in specific details. Maybe you wrote the wrong citation down. Perhaps the material you are requesting has been withdrawn. Engage yourself in a brief conversation with staff about your project so that a different search strategy can be re-configured or so that staff can make recommendations on other material that you did not know about initially, but which may prove useful for your project. Hopefully, staff will direct you to other resources, as well as to other repositories that collect material on your subject when a search is not successful.

When searching yourself using an online public access catalog, always pose a search query using alternate terms to cover the largest range of material options you can find. Learning how to use these will expedite your search immensely. Another factor in online searches is that many institutions only list a portion of their holdings online. It is important before you start your search to get a gauge of what percentage of total holdings are listed.

Here is an example using the National Archive and Records Administration ARC (Archival Research Catalogue):

ARC Basic Search
Search for descriptions of Archival Materials containing the following keyword(s): Limit Results to: 100 1000 2000 Filter Your Search:						Search Tips


Descriptions of Archival Materials linked to digital copies
Archiveal Materials dated between:		MM	DD	YYYY	And	MM	DD	YYYY

Location of Archival Materials: Type of Archival Materials:
ARC Main Page \| Research Room Main Page
Here is the opening ARC search screen. Since you know you wish to view only Moving Images highlight this in The type of Archival materials section. If you happen to be to looking in a specific location enter this also. Enter the key phrase of the material you are looking for, and any applicable date range. Search results are displayed as hits. Here is an example using Carl Louis Gregory as the “Search Description”.
1	RC Identifier
	Title:	AN AMERICAN IN THE MAKING, 1913
	Creator:	Department of the Interior. Bureau of Mines. Pittsburgh Experiment Station. (ca. 1917 - ca. 1949) (Most Recent)
	Type of Archival Materials:	Moving Images
	Level of Description:	Item from Record Group 70: Records of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1860 - 1984
	Location:	Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Records LICON, Special Media Archives Services Division, College Park, MD
The formatting shown above is similar to many of the databases you will wish to search. Choose the search method that works best for you. Some researchers choose to begin with very vague search terms, and then narrow the scope of their search down by adding different search filters to accomplish this. Others have taken the opposite approach, making the focus of their beginning search very narrow and then expanding out. You are the researcher, you work the way that is most efficient for you and makes you the most comfortable. I have now located footage I wish to view. My next step is to contact the repository holding this footage and make arrangements to view it. Make sure you have copied all of the pertinent data, i.e.- any identifying numbers, locations, record groups. When planning your trip to view this footage, make sure you are aware of all rules and regulations at the facility. Be aware that more often than not, due to space limitations and other issues, material may not be stored onsite. Always give staff an appropriate amount of time to arrange for transfer of material. By now you should have a good idea how you wish to utilize this film in your research. It may be that you will use this footage as back up to other documentation. In this case, be careful to identify the source material. Clearly identify scenes and action taking place. If you are using actuality footage, always try and get a written account of the original event, and use this as a comparison with the viewed footage. This can sometimes provide a striking contrast in your project. If you wish to utilize a “frame grab” for “visualization” or moving images for a presentation, many factors can enter in: the first one being to make sure you can arrange the proper clearance to use the requested image. When contacting the rights owner concerning the use of one of their images, it is of utmost importance to do more than just ask for permission to reproduce. Provide background information about your projects, list why you wish to use the footage/image. Be clear to the rights holders as to how it is to be used and make sure you clear the material for the use you specify. In conclusion, this is a very basic and generic starting guideline to Using Film Collections for Research. . There is nothing that can take the place of experience. Over time you will gain a feel for how to phrase a set of search requests, how to study footage and to use it at its best advantage. The material is out there, gaining access and utilizing it is your challenge.

Different Repositories and Collection Types

Many films and original materials are stored in libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, and personal collections. In each of these institutions, formally or informally, the methods and procedures for organizing and creating records can be very different. One might find detailed catalog records like in the local public library, descriptive guides called finding aids used in archives, or just an index or list of the repository holdings. If you are interested in using a collection, it pays off to learn how the institution has prepared its catalog or guides to the collection. When online, take time to read the suggestions presented by the archivist, curator or librarian or email your research question. If you arrange to go to a collection, talk with the archivist about your needs and engage his or her help.

Moving images and audio materials can be part of larger collection of manuscripts and historical materials. Besides consulting the MIC online service, comprehensive reference directories that offer descriptions of the collections of all the libraries and archives in the United States are available in book form and often cross-referenced by subject. You can contact your local librarian –in person or using 24/7 online reference- to start your research. One portal to 24/7 Reference can be found at the Los Angeles Public Library

What You Might Find at a Repository Web site

A few examples of Web sites for collections and repositories can illustrate the different levels of information and direct access present on the Internet. Along with the summaries, we’ve linked to the Web pages for browsing the actual Web site.

Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences

An overview describing the collection & a description of the interviews: One can learn the scope of the Academy oral history collection and read a list descriptive list of the oral histories available for research. The researcher would then contact the library to make arrangements to come and listen to the audio recordings or read the transcripts.

Charles Babbage Institute Center for the History of Information Technology Oral Histories

An overview with links to subject listings, searchable catalog records, and transcripts of oral histories: The Charles Babbage Institute offers online access to transcripts of oral histories as part of a larger collection of photographs and manuscripts.

Dance Heritage Coalition

Catalog records, finding aids or guides to several collections based on a subject: The Dance Heritage Coalition offers the finding aids and guides to collections about dance. The Web site offers tutorials and in depth background on how to research and use these descriptive tools.

New York Public Library’s Schomberg Center for Research in Black Cultures

Catalog records, a sample video excerpt and streaming video: The Schomberg Center provides selected video excerpts, catalog records and streaming video from the Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project as direct links at a dedicated Web site

Northeast Historic Film

Collection guide for research with detailed records, indexes and notes: The online collection guide of the Northeast Historic Film provides extensive description of the moving images in the collections with full catalog records and indexes online. The films can be viewed at the archives study center.

American Museum of the Moving Images Pinewood Dialogs Online

Searchable records, subject indexing, transcriptions, an audio clip and streaming audio: The Pinewood Dialogs are a component of the Museum’s programs. One needs to log in to access the Dialogs that are organized by interviewee and topics and with streaming audio.

Internet Archives: Moving Images

Online digital collections with searchable catalog records, index of titles and streaming video: The Internet Archives Moving Images Web site aim is to offer a digital collection of historical films with near unrestricted access in order to promote the public use of moving images. Different modes for video can be selected for download or viewing.

Access Issues of Privacy and Ownership

Archives, libraries and any collector of historical materials have responsibilities regarding the rights of privacy and ownership with any materials. The repository usage policies are available on the Web site or at the repository. For example, materials may be available for viewing and reference, but not for copying. Should you, as a researcher, wish to include excerpts of materials in another work, consult the repositories restrictions and permissions processes. Stanford Copyright and Fair Use offers a comprehensive reference to the copyright law.

Keep in mind we are covering three separate issues:

Copyright
Institutional Clearances
Donor Restrictions

It is a distinct possibility too that you could incur fees from all three sources listed above for a single piece of footage. The last two items listed are pretty straightforward in how they are handled. If there is an institutional charge, it is noted and a set fee is usually established for usage. For donor restrictions, it might be as little as a contact letter to the donor or their representative to explain details of how and when you wish to utilize the material to be granted permission. However, when delving into copyright issues, be aware that this is not a cut-and-dry process. While original copyright could have expired, it could also have been renewed, or there could be a copyright issued for a restoration, or music. Out of the three possible access fees, this is the one that will take the most investigation.

Additional links to copyright and rights issues:

Intellectual Property & New Info Technology by Howard Besser

Howard Besser, PhD, is the Director of New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Moving Image Archiving & Preservation Program. Besser maintains a compilation of links including documents related to the Supreme Court Eldred vs. Ashcroft case and a section entitled "Guidelines and Issues for Using Copyrighted Materials."

Social and Cultural Impact of Information Policy by Elizabeth Cohen

Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, developed this syllabus for a course she taught in the Information Studies Department at UCLA. Includes articles and links to sites around "specific issues in information policy that impact social organization such as intellectual property, privacy, division of bandwidth, and the bounds of jurisdiction."

United States Copyright Office

Technical Needs on the Internet

If you hope to view moving images via the Internet, please check into the current software, hardware and services available in your area. The speed of your modem or DSL line will impact your research experience. In addition, take a closer look at the features on your browser or video player. For example, the viewing experience is much different if you are watching the video in the small Real Player or Quick Time viewer vs. on the full screen of your monitor. To watch the larger image, all it takes is to ‘right click’ and select “full screen!”

Keep in mind, also, that what you are watching is a surrogate of an original film, video or audio recording preserved at the archive. The Internet version may not represent the quality of image available onsite. Of course, if the video was “born digital,” i.e., it was first produced for Internet presentation, you are watching the image as the creator intended.

Using Film, Video or Audio in Research: Be a Records Creator!

So far we talked about researching materials in libraries and archives. Access to the technologies of record keeping is open to everyone. Be a contributor to social history by using the film, video and audio recording in your own work and life. The role of amateur filmmakers have added immensely to the history of the 20th century by capturing national, regional and local events, both public and personal:

1968: The Whole World Was Watching

Rhode Island students document through interviews the events of the year 1968 and provide access to the audio records through transcripts and an online exhibit featuring selections from the interviews.

Library of Congress Veterans Project

Grassroots community groups and individuals document the lives of soldiers and civilians who have served the United States in wartime.

Project Jukebox

Online exhibits of Alaskan regional cultures comprised of oral histories, texts, photographs and maps.

Home Movie Day

Home Movies Day promotes the preservation and sharing of family films.

Additional Resources

Online search tools:

American Memory

Several hundred early motion pictures are viewable in the Library of Congress’ American Memory collections.

British Pathé

Search tool for 3,500-hour British Pathé Film Archive which covers news, sport, social history and entertainment from 1896 to 1970.

British University Film and Video Council

Online publications and information on access tools including the CD-ROM of the British Universities Newsreel Project (BUNP) database was published in March 2000, and contains details of almost 160,000 British cinema newsreel stories.

Screenonline

Definitive guide to British film and television history.

TRILT

TRILT is a new online service delivering extensive information on UK television and radio programs, specifically enhanced for Higher and Further Education.

Related Material Archives

American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming

The AHC is a great source for researching topics related to 20th century entertainment such as popular music, radio, television, and film. A few of its treasures are the papers of director Fritz Lang, actress Barbara Stanwyck, director Mack Sennet and the corporate records of the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company.

Harry Ransom Center
University of Austin, Texas

HRC’s Film Collection includes more than 10,000 scripts for film, television and radio; more than 15,000 posters, lobby cards and other advertising materials; more than 1,000,000 photographs including film stills, portrait and publicity photographs, set and location reference stills, makeup and wardrobe stills, and candid, behind the scenes photographs. The bulk of the Collection covers Hollywood's Golden Age (1930-1950), but many of the archives include materials from the Silent Era, the Texas film industry, and television and radio.

Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center
Boston University

One of the largest repositories of documents, memorabilia, and books chronicling the lives and careers of important writers, artists, performers, and public figures of this past century. The archives are especially strong in film and theater history, boasting one of the largest collections of papers and memorabilia from the Golden Era of Hollywood.

Margaret Herrick Library
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences

Extensive and comprehensive research collection on the subject of motion pictures. The library holds more than 27,000 books; 1,800 periodical titles; 60,000 screenplays; 200,000 clipping files; 25,000 posters; lobby cards, pressbooks and other advertising ephemera; over 7 million photographs; over 300 manuscript and other special collections relating to prominent industry individuals, studios and organizations; sheet music, music scores and sound recordings; production and costume sketches; artifacts; and oral histories.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Material Culture Collections

Motion picture industry artifacts (particularly pre-1940) including costumes, props, cameras, projectors, editing equipment, models and miniatures, set models, lighting equipment, and special effects devices.

UCLA Arts Library Special Collections

Contains over 200 personal paper collections and historical records concentrating on the performing and visual arts with particular emphasis in the discipline of Film and Television.

University of Southern California
Cinema/Television Library

Specialized collections and archives include the archives of producer David L. Wolper and the Louis B. Mayer Film and Television Center. The Constance McCormick Collection is an archive of historical clippings, including studio publicity clippings, newspapers clippings, movie magazines, etc., and contains information on more than a thousand stars, directors and films, and spans more than seven decades.

Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Wisconsin Historical Society

One of the world's major archives of research materials relating to the entertainment industry. The Center maintains over three hundred manuscripts collections from outstanding playwrights, television and motion picture writers, producers, actors, designers, directors and production companies.