From Grain to Pixel – The Archival Life of Film in Transition - Giovanna Fossati

Abstract

Third revised edition. In From Grain to Pixel, Giovanna Fossati analyzes the transition from analog to digital film and its profound effects on filmmaking and film archiving. Reflecting on the theoretical conceptualization of the medium itself, Fossati poses significant questions about the status of physical film and the practice of its archival preservation, restoration and presentation. From Grain to Pixel attempts to bridge the fields of film archiving and academic research by addressing the discourse on film's ontology and analyzing how different interpretations of what film is affect the role and practices of film archives. Ultimately, Fossati proposes a novel theorization of film archival practice as the starting point for a renewed dialogue between film scholars and film archivists. Almost a decade after its first publication, this updated edition covers the latest developments in the field. Besides a new general introduction, a new conclusion and extensive updates to each chapter, a novel theoretical framework and a new case study have been added. Introduction to the third revised edition -- Framing film (in transition) : an introduction -- Part one. Practice and theory of (archival) film -- Film practice in transition -- Theorizing archival film -- Part two. Theorizing (archival) practice -- Film archival field in transition -- Restoration case studies : theorizing archival practice -- A new mindset for (archival) film in transition : a conclusion -- Conclusions to the third revised edition.