5.  Physical Description Area - Introduction

A moving image work may have one or more sets of elements, which in turn may be composed of one or more units.  These sets of elements must be described accurately and briefly, drawing together component parts of negatives, master positives, sound tracks, videocassettes, etc., and providing a quick method for comparing each set.  This interrelationship among the sets of elements is expressed by providing a separate line of physical description for each set arranged in a standardized manner.

For example, if the archive holds a work in two or more generations (e.g., duplicate negative and master positive), a separate line of physical description should be given for each generation.  Similarly, if the archive holds a work in two or more formats (e.g., 16 mm. print and 3/4 in. videocassette), a separate line of physical description is created for each.

245 00 $a I led 3 lives. $p Phoney brother / $c Ziv Television Programs Inc. ; director-supervisor of production, Henry S. Kesler.

257 ## $a United States.

260 ## $a United States : $b Ziv Television Programs, Inc., $c 1955.

300 ## $a 1 videocassette of 1 (VHS) (27 min.) : $b sd., b&w ; $c 1/2 in. $3 viewing copy.

300 ## $a 1 film reel of 1 (27 min., 950 ft.) : $b sd., b&w ; $c 16 mm. $3 answer print.

300 ## $a 1 film reel of 1 (27 min., 950 ft.) : $b sd., b&w ; $c 16 mm. $3 dupe neg.

The physical description area consists of six subareas:  extent of work and specific material designation, other physical details, dimensions, film base, generation, and copy number.  Two of the six subareas are further divided into more specific elements that are included as they apply.

Archives that utilize a holdings format may need to adapt these rules.

Most technical terms that are found throughout this chapter are defined in the Glossary.

See also:

5.  Physical Description Area