Preservation

Motion Picture

Federal copyright law (17 USC 101) defines motion pictures as “audiovisual works consisting of a series of related images which, when shown in succession, impart an impression of motion, together with accompanying sounds, if any.” In typical use, “motion picture” more precisely refers to a plastic film coated with photographic emulsion containing a sequential series of eye-readable images. Audio information may also be present adjacent to the image.

Examples of 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm motion picture film.  At the left is a color 8mm film depicting a group of people. In the middle is a black and white 16mm film  depicting  a display of large campaign signs reading

Examples of 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm motion picture film.

When a motion picture film is viewed with a projector or other playback equipment, usually at a speed of 24 frames per second, you will see a moving image. Motion picture film should not be confused with video, which typically encodes an electronic signal on magnetic tape or as a digital video file. Digital motion picture formats like DPX capture a sequence of discrete digital image files to represent the individual image frames of a motion picture film.

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