The destruction of the Death Star, the rise and fall of Michael
Corleone and the constant bewilderment of Forrest Gump ““
memorable moments in film deeply embedded in the minds of
moviegoers around the world.
Collecting and restoring these moments and other film and
television treasures so that they are preserved for future
generations is the daunting task undertaken by the UCLA Film and
Television Archive and its staff. In its pursuit to preserve and
showcase not only classic, but current and innovative film and
television, the archive has gained international recognition and
acclaim.
The films of legendary Japanese filmmaker Kurosawa, the
celebrated works of Orson Welles and the beloved motion pictures
featuring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart are just a few of the
priceless relics that the team at the UCLA Film and Television
Archive have amassed.
With over 220,000 films and television programs, and 27 million
feet of newsreel footage, the UCLA Film and Television Archive is
the world’s largest university-held collection of motion
pictures and broadcast programming. While its collection may be
quantifiable, its importance to filmmakers, film buffs and students
is immeasurable.
In its effort to ensure that the moving image history of our
time is explored and enjoyed for generations to come, the UCLA Film
and Television Archive continually strives to be a unique resource
for media study.
“There is no better place to get an education in
film,” says Tim Kittleson, director for the UCLA Film and
Television Archive. “We provide a great resource in not just
classic film, but also the work of new and innovative
directors.”
Many directors including Curtis Hanson, Quentin Tarrantino and
Martin Scorsese have used the archive for research in their own
projects. For the film “Ali,” director Michael Mann and
his production team looked at old newsreels and films collected at
the UCLA Film and Television Archive in order to comprehend the
complexity of the social and political environment during the
1960s.
To serve the UCLA students and faculty, the Archive Research and
Study Center (ARSC) provides a vital access point to the UCLA Film
and Television Archive’s collection. Located in Powell
Library, ARSC has video copies of everything that has been
collected so that students and faculty are able to conduct
scholarly research for dissertations, papers and other assignments.
ARSC also records over 30 hours of national and local news daily
and has catalogued extensive coverage of significant news events
such as the Rodney King trial and the attacks of Sept. 11,
2001.
Aside from its role as an academic resource for students and
filmmakers, the UCLA Film and Television Archive extends its
services to the Los Angeles community. Through its public programs
and education departments, the archive showcases many of its films
““ and others not part of the collection ““ at the James
Bridges Theater located on campus.
The archive’s recent programs include a film festival
focusing on the history of martial arts films and another festival
delving into the intricate genre of Japanese animation, also known
as anime. In addition, the archive hosts public discussions with
many of the film industry’s noted artists. Actors Diane
Keaton, Sean Penn and Drew Barrymore along with directors Martin
Scorsese and John Woo have all provided insight into their careers
and talked about their love for film in these discussions.
The archive plans to dedicate a large series in the spring on
Indian films. This series is in conjunction with its duty to
present foreign films and maintain its worldwide reputation.
“Part of our mission is to (achieve) cultural
diversity,” said Kittleson. “Serving the artistic and
foreign-speaking communities in Los Angeles is
essential.”
The UCLA Film and Television Archive’s goals are certainly
aligned to any filmgoer. In its desire to appease these
enthusiasts, the archive has become a unique establishment that
compels the L.A. community and future generations to admire the
beauty of film.