As we delve into the different RGs and Series that contain motion pictures in the NARA, I will try to provide you with the following information...
- The official RG title followed by its corresponding RG number.
- The content date of the films (representing the time period of the film’s subject and not necessarily the dates they were created).
- The approximate number of reels of film within the RG.
- The official Series Title and the number of film titles within the series.
- Representative examples (arranged chronologically) of individual film titles within the Series, along with a short description and the year of release. Please note that the originating agency, the contracted production company, or the NARA staff, created these titles. The actual number of listed titles varies, but generally ten percent (up to a maximum of ten titles per series) are listed. The accompanying film descriptions are mostly summary in nature, sometimes a bit cryptic, and were derived from one or more sources. Occasionally, you’ll see the notation NFDA and n.d. These are abbreviations for “No Further Data Available” and “no date,” and are used whenever a description or production date couldn’t be determined.
'Till next time.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
What is a NARA record group?
Now, this may be a bit boring, but it's important when trying to figure out where films are located within America's film vault...the NARA.
A record group (RG), the basic unit of archival control, is a body of organizationally related records designated by a number and the name of the federal agency, bureau, or activity that created or received them. For example, the Records of the United States Secret Service is numbered RG 87, the Records of the Maritime Administration are contained in RG 357, and Records of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington are within RG 551. Based on my last count, there are over 500 RGs (some numbers were skipped) within the NARA that contain historic documents like papers, reports, maps, photographs, illustrations, sound recordings, and sometimes motion pictures. These RGs are usually divided into a number of Series, depending on the type of documents or the topic. One RG I found had 85 different series! Sometimes one of these contain films.
Now this is a very simplistic explanation...but hopefully it gives you enough information to follow this discussion in future blogs.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com
A record group (RG), the basic unit of archival control, is a body of organizationally related records designated by a number and the name of the federal agency, bureau, or activity that created or received them. For example, the Records of the United States Secret Service is numbered RG 87, the Records of the Maritime Administration are contained in RG 357, and Records of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington are within RG 551. Based on my last count, there are over 500 RGs (some numbers were skipped) within the NARA that contain historic documents like papers, reports, maps, photographs, illustrations, sound recordings, and sometimes motion pictures. These RGs are usually divided into a number of Series, depending on the type of documents or the topic. One RG I found had 85 different series! Sometimes one of these contain films.
Now this is a very simplistic explanation...but hopefully it gives you enough information to follow this discussion in future blogs.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com
Monday, December 1, 2008
Types of Films in the NARA
To continue the train of thought of the last post, the motion pictures in the NARA are predominately documentary type films; but educational, informational, instructional, theatrical and newsreel categories make up portions of the collection too. The film titles in the holdings number well into the tens-of-thousands, covering hundreds of subjects.
Most of the films held in the National Archives were made, acquired, or donated to Uncle Sam without restrictions. Therefore, they are copyright and royalty free. However, there are a fair number of films that do have copyright or use restrictions, particularly within the Donated Materials Group (DMG) collections. It is in your best interest to check with the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Research Room staff with any questions on this issue.
Until next time,
Phil
http://www.pwstewart.com
Most of the films held in the National Archives were made, acquired, or donated to Uncle Sam without restrictions. Therefore, they are copyright and royalty free. However, there are a fair number of films that do have copyright or use restrictions, particularly within the Donated Materials Group (DMG) collections. It is in your best interest to check with the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Research Room staff with any questions on this issue.
Until next time,
Phil
http://www.pwstewart.com
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the Historic Footage Project blog.
An alternate title for this blog would be: A Guide to the Motion Pictures Held Within the U.S. National Archives. This blog is designed to assist writers, researchers, historians, film and video makers, content producers, genealogists, and any others who may be interested, in locating the historically rich, celluloid-based, moving images preserved in the motion picture film holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). These historic films are considered official records of the United States Government and are part of one of the world’s largest motion picture archives, with a treasure trove of over 360,000 reels. Approximately 95 percent of the films described in this guide are in the safekeeping of the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch of the Special Media Archives Services Division, located at Archives II in College Park, Maryland. The rest are housed in the National Archive’s Presidential Libraries located around the country. These motion pictures are predominately documentary type films; but educational, informational, instructional, and newsreel categories also make up portions of the collection. There are a few theatrical titles too.
During the coming weeks, months (and hopefully) years, I hope to share with you what I've discovered over the last 20 or so years sleuthing around NARA for historical documentary films. I intend to relate some NARA history and how they got into the motion picture collection business, provide some specific examples of films and where they are buried within the film vault, and answer your questions to the best of my ability.
Please feel free to visit my website, www.pwstewart.com.
Til next time.
Phil
An alternate title for this blog would be: A Guide to the Motion Pictures Held Within the U.S. National Archives. This blog is designed to assist writers, researchers, historians, film and video makers, content producers, genealogists, and any others who may be interested, in locating the historically rich, celluloid-based, moving images preserved in the motion picture film holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). These historic films are considered official records of the United States Government and are part of one of the world’s largest motion picture archives, with a treasure trove of over 360,000 reels. Approximately 95 percent of the films described in this guide are in the safekeeping of the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch of the Special Media Archives Services Division, located at Archives II in College Park, Maryland. The rest are housed in the National Archive’s Presidential Libraries located around the country. These motion pictures are predominately documentary type films; but educational, informational, instructional, and newsreel categories also make up portions of the collection. There are a few theatrical titles too.
During the coming weeks, months (and hopefully) years, I hope to share with you what I've discovered over the last 20 or so years sleuthing around NARA for historical documentary films. I intend to relate some NARA history and how they got into the motion picture collection business, provide some specific examples of films and where they are buried within the film vault, and answer your questions to the best of my ability.
Please feel free to visit my website, www.pwstewart.com.
Til next time.
Phil
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