Film Base

Film Base is a transparent material forming the support of the photosensitive emulsion lying on it. Though the emulsion is coated in several layers, Film Base is essential here for providing sufficient thickness to the Film Stock. Basically, Film Base and Film Stock are more or less complimentary to each other; one cannot exist without the support from the other.

Film Base is primarily used as a supportive base for positive transparencies, motion picture, micro films, negatives and other photographic items. Depending upon the nature of Film Base, it is traditionally segregated into three main types:

Cellulose Nitrate Film Base:

This the first transparent film base with a plastic support, available widely in the commercial markets, ever since its development by Eastman Kodak, John Carbutt and Hannibal Goodwin in the 1880s. The excess flammability of Nitrate Film Base, leading to its future decomposition into several flammable gases accounted for the decrease in its popularity.

Cellulose Acetate Film Base:

This particular type of Film Base came in after the failure of the Nitrate Base. It entered the market around 1909, as a safe alternative to the risky Nitrate Base, widely used in motion pictures and sheet films. The Acetate Film Base is known as ‘Safety Film’ due to its non-flammable nature, retaining its popularity till 1948.

Polyester Film Base:

This is the latest development to be used for specific photographic applications in 1955. It is until recently in the 1990s that Polyester Film Base gained immense popularity in the field of motion picture printing. The strength, resilience and steadiness of the Film Base have increased its application in post-production activities, archival purposes and exhibitions.

There are however, four methods to identify a Film Base, which include:

Edge Printing (stamped professional sheet films with a mark along one border)

Dating Information (dates are given to a sheet film, either by the subject or the photographer)

Nitrate Film Base Deterioration (observing the deteriorating features of a sheet film)

Testing (through various methods)

Film Base is environmental-friendly; it does not harm the natural surrounding. Leaving the nature untouched, is exerts immense influence on international film industry for successful development of quality motion pictures.