Physical film restoration and preventive preservation
We stop film decay and bring it back to life: physical and chemical restoration, preventive conservation, then digital picture and sound restoration.
Try restoration yourself
Choose a restoration technique, then drag the divider to compare the original material before processing with the result after.
- The problem
- Historical footage in black and white only.
- The fix
- AI models suggest realistic colors for every element, then our artists review them by hand to get skin, sky and clothing right.
- The problem
- Washed-out colors drifting to pink as the film's dyes break down over time.
- The fix
- Rebuilding the lost color channels and correcting contrast and grading to bring back the scene's original colors.
- The problem
- Dust specks, hairs and small scratches appearing frame after frame.
- The fix
- Detecting defects that appear in a single frame and replacing them from neighboring frames, without touching image detail.
- The problem
- Continuous vertical lines caused by the film rubbing against projector rollers.
- The fix
- Tracking the line across frames and rebuilding what lies beneath it from its surroundings.
- The problem
- Stains, dried water marks and oil patches on the film surface.
- The fix
- Separating the stains from the image, then restoring the original light and color of the affected area.
- The problem
- Cracks and tears that cut through the frame and shift its parts.
- The fix
- Realigning the shifted parts, repairing the tear line and filling in missing areas.
- The problem
- Misaligned color channels leave double colored edges around objects.
- The fix
- Realigning the three channels to single-pixel accuracy so edges are sharp and clean again.
- The problem
- The frame shakes and the light pulses from frame to frame.
- The fix
- Tracking and stabilizing the frame, and balancing exposure across consecutive frames.
- The problem
- The image layer decays from vinegar syndrome or nitrate deterioration.
- The fix
- Rebuilding damaged areas and recovering texture and detail while keeping the film's natural grain.
An illustrative simulation of the techniques we use at the center, not footage from a real archive.
What's included
- Condition assessment and a detailed report for every reel
- Manual repair of tears and weak splices
- Ultrasonic cleaning to remove dirt and dust
- Chemical treatment for vinegar syndrome, shrinkage, brittleness and warping
- Preventive conservation with molecular sieves and stable cool storage
- Digital picture and sound restoration up to 8K
How we work
- 01
Assessment and documentation
We inspect the film and record its condition: shrinkage, brittleness, vinegar syndrome and tears, and classify what it needs.
- 02
Manual repair
We repair tears, perforations and weak splices, and replace damaged cores and leaders.
- 03
Cleaning
Dirt, dust and contaminants are removed by ultrasonic or manual cleaning, depending on the film's condition.
- 04
Chemical treatment
Chemically deteriorated film is treated and its flexibility restored by rehydration and softening, so it can be scanned.
- 05
Preventive conservation
Molecular sieves absorb moisture and acids; films are repackaged and kept in a cool, stable environment.
- 06
Digital restoration
After scanning, picture and sound are treated digitally: dust, scratches, flicker and stains, and hum and crackle in the audio.
Restoration and preventive conservation: two sides of one protection
Physical and chemical restoration
Treats damage that has happened: tears, cuts, breaks, shrinkage and stickiness, and stabilizes chemically deteriorated film.
Preventive conservation
Stops damage before it starts: safe storage, handling and transport in a controlled environment, so less restoration is needed and the original stays closer to its first state.
Preventive conservation
- Condition assessment and an inspection report for every reel
- Adding leaders and registering films with RFID tags for tracking
- Re-arranging film cans for better storage and access
- Treatments that stabilize the film's physical integrity
- Molecular sieves to absorb moisture and acids
Climate-controlled storage
- Cold storage with controlled temperature and humidity for negatives and originals
- Gradual acclimatization before films enter cold storage
- Redundant air conditioning and backup power
- One-time services: bobbin and leader changes, repair, and moving films from metal to plastic cans
- Ongoing periodic maintenance throughout storage
What we treat in sound
- Hiss and background noise
- Clicks and crackle
- Electrical hum
- Wow, flutter and pitch drift
- Dropouts and gaps
Need technical consultation or want to learn more about our services?
Contact us for a personalized consultation or to discuss your specific needs. Our expert team is ready to provide the best solutions for your projects.