Character position definition and scope:

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the base of the film.

Safety base film is a comparatively nonflammable film base that meets ISO requirements for a safety base.  On some film, the phrase safety film appears on the edge of motion pictures.

Nitrate film base is a highly flammable film base that does not meet the ISO requirements for safety base film.

A fill character ( | ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this position.

Record requirements for National-level and Minimal-level records:  Optional.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Codes:

Descriptions:

 Safety base:

 

a

Safety base, undetermined  Safety base film whose type has not been identified.

c

Safety base, acetate undetermined

d

Safety base, diacetate

p

Safety base, polyester  A film base made of a synthetic resin (e.g., estar).

r

Safety base, mixed

t

Safety base, triacetate

 

 

 Nitrate:

 

i

Nitrate base

m

Mixed base (nitrate and safety)

 

 

 All other:

 

n

Not applicable  Item does not have a film base, e.g., paper film.

u

Unknown

z

Other  A film base for which none of the other defined codes is appropriate.

|

No attempt to code

Content designator history:

Prior to the definition of this character position in 1985, base of film was coded in field 009 (Physical Description Fixed Field for Archival Collection) /04 (Film base).

To return, select:

007:  Motion picture

007  Physical Description Fixed Field