1F2. Item without a title (Title and Statement of Responsibility)
If no title appears on the film and no title information can be established form any source, supply a descriptive title. Enclose such a supplied or devised title in square brackets.
If the title on the item is not actually the title of the work (i.e., it may have been incorrectly spliced on for various reasons), give the incorrect title in a note (see 7B6. ), and supply a descriptive title. Take into account the ultimate possibility of identifying the film. Give a cross reference from the erroneous title to the supplied title.
The following instructions are applicable to particular situations and/or formats when there is no title present. These instructions serve merely as guidelines for structuring titles for various types of moving image material. Several of these optional instructions include alternative methods of structuring titles. Archives must base cataloging decisions upon such factors as the amount of material the archive holds of each type listed below, the cataloging staff resources available, the demands placed upon the catalog by staff and other users, etc. The most important principle is that alternatives be carefully considered, a method selected and documented, and that method applied in a manner that is consistent and logical.
As noted in the introduction, archives that hold moving image material that is exclusively of a single type or format, e.g., unedited footage, commercials , theatrical newsreels , etc., will find only general guidelines for describing their materials. More detailed instructions tailored to the nature of these singular collections and the needs of their users must be, and in some cases have been, developed.
Optionally apply the following instructions:
1F2.1. Possible or probable legitimate title
1F2.2. No possible legitimate title
1F2.3. Thematically related/partially edited footage
1F2.5. Edited newsreel and edited news segments
1F2.7. Amateur footage of public events
1F2.8. Commercials, public service announcements, etc.
See also:
