Dear colleagues,

With great sadness we inform you that Michelle Aubert, former President of FIAF and a FIAF Honorary Member since last June, has died at the age of 74.

Michelle Aubert has to her credit a long and distinguished career supporting the  conservation, restoration and promotion of films and non-film archives, in two historical Members of FIAF: firstly, at the British Film Institute, where she was Chief Cataloguer in the library (1969-1975), then Head of the Stills Department (1975-1985), and finally David Francis’s deputy at the National Film Archive (1986-1989); secondly, at the Archives françaises du film du CNC in Bois d’Arcy, where she worked as Curator until her retirement in 2007.

From her arrival at the CNC in 1989, she undertook radical changes by opening the collections, promoting international exchanges, undertaking joint restorations between archives and organizing the repatriation of films to their countries of production. We owe Michelle Aubert the setting up of a “Plan for the restoration and protection of old films” (also called the “nitrate plan”) that has saved over 12,000 French films. In addition, she led the general inventory and restoration of the entire film heritage of the Lumière brothers, through an international call that helped restore almost the entire initial catalogue.

The passion and determination she has shown in these two great FIAF-affiliated institutions has also guided the impressive work she accomplished within FIAF over three decades. In the early 70s, she was one of the initiators of the Periodicals Indexing Project (P.I.P.). She was later a very active Head of the Documentation Commission from 1988 to 1991, before joining the Executive Committee that year. She was finally elected President of the FIAF during the Los Angeles Congress in 1995. During her two terms as President, she worked on FIAF’s geographical expansion (thanks to her initiative, several archives and cinematheques from underrepresented regions – Africa in particular – joined the Federation). Her presidency also coincided with the arrival of Christian Dimitriu as Senior Administrator. Under her supervision, information systems (computerized database) and modern communications (website, email) were introduced, which revolutionized the working methods of the Secretariat, made necessary by the rapid expansion of the Federation during the 1980s and 90s. It was also during that period that the move of the Secretariat to its new offices in Rue Defacqz took place, as well as the incorporation of the P.I.P. team (previously based in London) into the Secretariat. It was also under her stewardship that the FIAF’s Code of Ethics was drafted, discussed and approved by the General Assembly.

Michelle Aubert remained close to our concerns after leaving the CNC for her active “retirement” in her village in the South of France, and those who know her know that she maintained a friendly and professional relationship with the Federation (including the Secretariat), regularly providing valuable advice and never hesitating to raise her own questions about the future of our sector.

Christophe Dupin, FIAF Senior Administrator, and the FIAF Executive Committee

21^st SEAPAVAA CONFERENCE

3rd -8th April 2017

Manila, Philippines

“Imagining an AV Archive of the Future”

There is a popular, and grossly incorrect, assumption that archives are all about the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, the archives is “an opening to the future, the depository of a promise, a hope that there is something to come.” (Caputo, 1997).  Archives by their very nature must be the most forward looking of organisations enabling the society of the future to make sense of where it came from, how it got there, and what it can do and should strive for. As such, the question of the archives is not to be separated from the question of the future, both pragmatically and theoretically speaking.

This question of the future is a question of sustainability. With continuously changing technologies, socio-political landscapes, industry developments, market structures, professional standards, media productions, skill requirements, resources, and stakeholder expectations and community needs, how can an audiovisual archive position itself to be in the right shape, with the right services, at the right time? How can they remain relevant amidst all these changes?

It is also a question of identity. What does the audiovisual archive of the future look like? How will it utilise future technologies and consequently change its functions and processes?  Where can we locate the archive in relation to other institutions? What would be its role in specific communities? How do our various users envision future engagements with the archive?  How will it be shaped by environmental and cultural shifts? What would the next generation of av archivists be like? Where will they be coming from and how will they be trained? Will archival principles remain the same or will new valuations emerge?

Ray Edmondson (2016) reminds that “the history of our field teaches us to approach predictions with scepticism, for the only sure guide we have is accumulated experience.” As the annual SEAPAVAA Conference enters its third decade, it seeks to address these by gathering different perspectives during its two-day Symposium. It  aims to look at past successes and failures together with present opportunities and dilemmas to challenge archivists and their stakeholders in imagining and shaping the future of the field and the profession. That is, to answer Rick Prelinger’s (2015) challenge – “could we, as archivists [together with our stakeholders], point ourselves toward an agenda that we wish to make real?”

SEAPAVAA invites all who are actively engaged with the conference theme – Imagining an AV Archive of the Future – to submit proposals. We are looking for presentations that explore the following broad topics.

• considerations and strategies with regards to sustainability of audiovisual archives-
• possibilities with future technologies in audiovisual archiving
• innovations in audiovisual archiving practice
• case studies on change management and long-term planning in audiovisual archives
• directions in audiovisual archival education and profession
• roles and paradigms of audiovisual archives in relation to a changing society
• movements in audiovisual archiving philosophy and practice
• perspectives on the future of audiovisual archives from various stakeholders (content producers, filmmakers, broadcasters, scholars, librarians, users, etc.)

Other thematically related proposals are welcome for consideration.

SUBMISSION:

Deadline of submission of proposals:                  17 January 2017

Notification of accepted proposals:                    23 January 2017

Deadline for confirmation to present:                 6 February 2017

Symposium proper:                                             5-6 April 2017

1. Submit proposal in English via e-mail as a MS Word file by 9 January 2017.

2. The proposal should include:
   • Title of proposal
   • Abstract, maximum of 250 words
   • Name and Institution (where applicable) of proponent(s)

3. The SEAPAVAA Executive Council will review all submitted proposals and will send notifications to accepted proponents by 23 January 2017

4. Accepted proponents need to confirm their ability to attend the conference and present by 6 February 2017.

5. Presenters will have 20 minutes to deliver their presentations in English during the Symposium.

6. The travel expenses, accommodation and subsistence of attending the 21^stSEAPAVAA Conference are the full responsibility of the Presenter(s) of accepted proposals. All attendees, including Presenter(s), are required to register and pay the full conference registration fee.

Please contact any of the following persons to submit proposals or for any queries:

Loren Bustos:                                       secretariat@seapavaa.net 

Benedict Salazar Olgado:                    b.olgado@slis.upd.edu.ph

Irene Lim:                                             Irene_LL_Lim@nlb.gov.sg

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The 21^st SEAPAVAA Conference and General Assembly is co-hosted by the University of the Philippines School of Library and Information Studies and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the ABS-CBN Film Archives.

The SEAPAVAA Conference returns to Manila as it kicks-off its third decade right where it all started back in 1996 with the association’s inaugural conference. The 21^st Conference promises the definitive warmth and hospitality that SEAPAVAA is known for. For more information regarding the Conference including details on registration, programme, workshops, and hotel accommodations, visit http://seapavaaconference.com

 

Download (PDF, 1.86MB)

The South East Asia-Pacific Audio Visual Archive Association (SEAPAVAA), founded in 1996, is a professional association of organisations and individuals involved or interested in the development of audiovisual archiving in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It particularly aims to promote audiovisual archiving and to preserve and provide access to the region’s rich audiovisual heritage. We assist our members in strengthening their capabilities in audiovisual acquisition, management, preservation and provision of access to collections through research, training, consultancy and networking. We continue to dedicate ourselves to projects addressing common issues and concerns aiming to establish region wide standards, methods and procedures. As of 2016, SEAPAVAA has around 80 member archives, institutions, and professionals from 29 different countries around the world.

JOB OPENING

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Administrative Assistant provides support to the Administrative Coordinator in running the organisation. This individual does organisational support jobs sharing tasks with the Administrative Coordinator including office administration, project management, membership development, communications and publications, records management, and executive assistance. The Administrative Coordinator will supervise the Administrative Assistant and will report to the Secretary-General. The Administrative Assistant will be based in Manila, Philippines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Office Administration

Perform day-to-day secretarial functions including handling communications, records keeping, and managing office logistics such as equipment and supplies

Project Management

Provide secretariat support to SEAPAVAA events and projects primarily during the annual conference and regular meetings

Membership Development

Manage the Association’s membership, which entails maintaining and updating membership information, keeping membership records and processing membership applications

Communications and Publications

Craft and execute official communications such as letters, memos, proposals, and presentations. Handle creation, updating, and dissemination of SEAPAVAA-related publications

Records Management

Assist in organising and maintaining an orderly SEAPAVAA Archives of administrative and institutional records

Executive Assistance

Provide assistance requested by the Executive Council regarding matters related to the Association. Other related duties in accordance to strategic and development plans of the Association

REQUIREMENTS

Work Ethic

Must be highly organised, detail oriented, self-motivated, and proactive. Applicant must be able to work with professionals from various cultures.

Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English a must. Knowledge and proficiency in other languages used in Southeast Asia – Pacific a plus

Strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office programs, a must. Desktop publishing, digital design, website management and records management skills are advantageous.

Background

– Must have a Bachelor’s degree preferably in the following fields:
International Relations
Public Administration
Library and Information Studies
Development Studies
Communication Arts

– Applicants with professional experience in office administration, non-profit institutions, records management, and/or international relations highly preferred. Fresh graduates with considerable skills and related experience may apply.

– Knowledge and/or interest in audiovisual heritage and preservation is desirable. Experiences in the audiovisual archives a plus.

– Willing to be based in Manila but must be able to travel outside of the Philippines.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full-time position, renewable on a yearly basis with an initial six-month probationary term. Applicants must be willing and able to work for a minimum of three consecutive years with the Association.

Initial base pay for the probationary term is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary increase after confirmed permanent appointment dependent on performance evaluation. A benefit package including Social Security and Health are available after the probationary period.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should email their letter of intent and resume/CV to b.olgado@slis.upd.edu.ph and secretariat@seapavaa.net no later than November 30, 2016, Wednesday.

The letter must be addressed to: Irene Lim, Secretary-General of SEAPAVAA.

Kindly use the following format as the subject heading of your email: SEAPAVAA Administrator Application [Your last name].

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted on December 2, 2016, Friday for a series of interviews. References should be available if so requested.

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Dear Prospective Student:

NYU’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) program is now
accepting applications for its Master of Arts degree. MIAP is a two- year,
interdisciplinary course of study that trains future professionals to manage
and preserve collections of film, video, new media, and digital works. MIAP
is situated within New York University’s Department of Cinema Studies in the
acclaimed Tisch School of the Arts.

Our application deadline for fall 2017 admission is December 1. You can
learn more about the MIAP program and application process by visiting our
prospective students page (tinyurl.com/applytomiap), where you can also
access MIAP faculty bios, course descriptions and syllabi, internship
summaries, examples of student work, alumni testimonials, and more. MIAP
provides intensive professional development and prepares its graduates for
rich and varied work in archives, museums, libraries, production companies,
the art world, and other organizations.

We will provide an overview of the MIAP program and answer questions during
an Information Session on Thursday, October 20, 6PM EDT. RSVP at
tinyurl.com/miapinfo to participate in person or online. Those in NYC are
also invited to our “Film Preservation in the Digital Era” public program
and screening on Saturday, October 22, 10AM EDT. RSVP at
tinyurl.com/preservefilm.

Best Regards,

NYU Moving Image Archiving & Preservation (MIAP) Program
tisch.preservation@nyu.edu, 212-998-1618

Dear Colleagues,

On 27 October 2016 we will celebrate the World Day for Audiovisual
Heritage (WDAVH), sponsored by UNESCO and organized by the CCAAA
(Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations), of which
FIAF is a member.

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is intended to highlight the good
work being done around the world to preserve and make available this
important heritage, and to encourage others to follow those examples. The
theme this year is “It?s Your Story – Don?t Lose It”. The CCAAA and FIAF
encourage all of you to contribute information about your World Day
celebratory programme.

This year, on the occasion of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, the
CCAAA is launching a new website, and all CCAAA associations are asking
their members to post information about their World Day events directly on
that new website. All you have to do is to fill in a simple online form
which you will find on this special page of the website. Just follow the
instructions!

Thank you for your contributions!

Best regards,

Christophe Dupin
FIAF Senior Administrator

You may visit the website at http://www.ccaaa.org/

Proposal deadline: January 2, 2017

The Association for Recorded Sound Collections invites proposals for

presentations at its 51st annual conference, to be held May 10-13, 2017, at

the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

ARSC welcomes papers on the preservation and study of sound recordings — in

all genres of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. In

recognition of our host city, San Antonio, we especially encourage

presentations focusing on the rich history of regional indigenous and

immigrant communities, performers, songwriters, composers, broadcasters,

record labels, and personalities in the Southwestern United States.

In addition, the Program Committee invites proposals pertaining to:

— Collaborative research, preservation/access projects, and community

archiving projects

— Recorded sound in digital humanities, soundscapes, sound art, and sound

studies

— Audio preservation workflows and collections management techniques

— Collecting, copyright, and curatorial challenges from born-digital media

to mixtapes and beyond.

We seek papers and panels that are informative, display a passion for their

subjects, and include compelling audiovisual content. Share your special

interests with our engaged community of collectors, historians, musicians,

preservationists, archivists, and audio engineers.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION and GUIDELINES

The deadline for presentation proposals is January 2, 2017. Receipt will be

acknowledged by e-mail. Presenters will be notified of acceptance

approximately one month thereafter.

You may submit your proposal using this form:

http://tinyurl.com/arsc2017

IMPORTANT: Presenters must register for the conference and pay the

appropriate Conference Registration Fee. Presenters grant ARSC the right to

record and distribute their conference presentations, including PowerPoints

or other slide shows, unless they specify otherwise in writing.

For more information, visit:

http://www.arsc-audio.org/conference.html

Questions about the Call for Presentations should be directed to Will Chase,

ARSC Program Chair:

arsc2017conference@gmail.com

The Association for Recorded Sound Collections is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings — in all genres

of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. ARSC is unique in

bringing together private individuals and institutional professionals —

everyone with a serious interest in recorded sound.

Download (PDF, 494KB)

World Day of Audiovisual Heritage 2016: IT’S YOUR STORY – DON’T LOSE IT

During the 20th CCAAA meeting in Singapore this year, it was decided that the joint activities will be centered around this theme.

Rationale: every culture, every country has its own story to tell. These stories remind us of our shared humanity and build connections between people. Every story we keep in our archives means that we keep memories alive. Stories should be kept safe, stories create an invaluable archive for future generations – it’s your (and their!) story – don’t lose it!

This rationale demonstrates the value and importance of archives. With respect to the annual celebration of World Day of Audiovisual Heritage, we want to collect the stories that prove the value for use in advocating for archives. Ultimately these stories will be made available via the CCAAA and the members’ websites.

CCAAA (via FIAT/IFTA) seeks stories that show the importance and impact of archives. Under the umbrella of the website and through social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) we will share the stories with our members, stakeholders and public.

Action: each CCAAA-member collects at least 2 archive stories from its own community. Basic question: which story told by an archive describes best why we must not lose it? For example: the priceless recordings of the historic trials of Nelson Mandela and the ANC leaders from 1963/1964 that were kept in the vaults of the South African National Archives but could not be used. It could also be about oral history or even new media, not necessarily the endangered collections.

How: send your – or your community’s – stories to FIAT/IFTA’s Office.

Address: office@fiatifta.org

A maximum of 200 words per case and a picture. FIAT/IFTA in collaboration with Christophe Dupin will publish these stories on the special 2016 World Day-page on the new CCAAA website.

See example: https://blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/

Timing: send your stories and pictures to the FIAT/IFTA Office before 21^st of October. Stories will be published at the 27^th of October – accompanied by a social media campaign.