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Biography

I am a recent graduate of the Moving Image Archive Studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While a graduate student, I focused my studies on preservation and restoration at  I also worked as a preservation assistant at the UCLA Library. My duties at the library included assessing and repairing 16mm film, as well as maintaining the audiovisual materials database.

Prior to attending UCLA, I lived in the Washington, DC area where I worked as a film technician in the Archival Services at Colorlab, a moving image film laboratory that specializes in film preservation. Wanting to expand my knowledge of film preservation to include archival practices is what brought me to Los Angeles.

Before becoming involved in film preservation, I was a freelance photojournalist based in Washington DC. I worked as an Assistant to the Staff Photographers at the New York Times Washington Bureau and as a Freelance photographer for the New York Times. My duties included archiving the staff photographers work as well as photographing news events on Capitol Hill and throughout the Washington area.

 

Education

Moving Image Archive Studies
University of  California, Los Angeles
Master of Arts
Focus on Moving Image Preservation and Restoration.
2012-2014

Coursework Included (but not limited to):

  • Digital Asset Management (MIAS 298)
  • Moving Image Preservation and Restoration (MIAS 210)
  • Archaeology of Media (MIAS 220)
  • Moving Image Archiving: History, Philosophy, Practice (MIAS 200)
  • Moving Image Cataloging (MIAS 230)
  • Individual Directed Studies: Practicum in Moving Image Archiving (MIAS 498)
  • Archival Administration (MIAS 240)
  • Access to Moving Image Collections (MIAS 250)
  • Preservation of Heritage Materials (IS 432)
  • Grant Writing (IS 289-1)
  • Bibliography and Methods of Research (FTV 200)
  • American Film History (FTV 206C)
  • Documentary Film (FTV209A)

 

Photojournalism
Corcoran College of Art and Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts 2005-2007

  • Dean’s List – Spring and Fall Semester 2006, Spring Semester 2007.
  • Photojournalism Student of the Year 2006

 

Experience

Preservation Assistant University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Library Preservation Program, Audiovisual Laboratory
August 2013 – Present
Preserve audiovisual materials in the UCLA Library Collection.
Part- time student position. Duties as follows:

  • Conducted needs assessment report for potential digital asset management system.
  • Performing detailed inspection and assessment of 16mm film.
  • Physically repairing film.
  • Logging all repairs.
  • Maintaining the Audiovisual Materials Preservation Database.
  • Digitizing VHS and U-matic videotape.
  • Ordering supplies
  • Obtaining scanning and preservation quotes from various vendors

 

Intern Braun Research Library, Southwest Museum
September – December 2013
Practicum at the Southwest Museum’s Braun Research Library. Duties as follows:

  • Inspected and assessed audiovisual materials such as 16mm film, 16mm full coat magnetic soundtrack, VHS and U-matic tape.
  • Provided recommendations for preservation of audiovisual materials.
  • Wrote draft for Preservation Assistance Grant to secure funds for preservation of these materials, based on my recommendations.

 

Intern Film Technology, Inc.
April – June 2013
Practicum at Film Technology, Inc. to learn photochemical film preservation at a motion picture film laboratory.  Duties as follows:

  • Inspecting and evaluating 35mm nitrate film elements.
  • Physically repairing damaged film elements.
  • Preparing film elements for duplication or transfer.
  • Observing digital sound restoration, optical printing, contact printing, and telecine work.

 

Film Technician Colorlab, Inc.
Archival Services Department
July 2010 – July 2012
Prepared film and related elements from the National Archives and Records Administration – Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch. Full-time paid position. Duties as follows:

  • Inspected and assessed 35mm and 16mm film elements for deterioration and damage, for eventual transfer to another medium.
  • Physically repaired any deteriorated or damaged film.
  • Logged all repairs to film and provided report of repairs to clients.
  • Made recommendations for preservation based on physical inspection of film elements.
  • Provided accountability for film and related elements during all stages of inspection, restoration and transfer.
  • Organized shipments to and from the National Archives and Records Administration – Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch.
  • Inspected and repaired 8mm and 9.5mm film elements for Preparatory Department, prepared film elements after processing to be either printed or transferred.
  • Provided accountability and project management status updates to concurrent clients during all stages of inspection, restoration and transfer.

 

Professional Development

Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) Conference, Savannah
October 8-11, 2014

The Reel Thing: Los Angeles
August 21-23, 2014

Digital Asset Symposium 
May 15-16, 2014

Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) Conference, Richmond
November 6-9, 2013

The Reel Thing: Los Angeles
August 21-23, 2013

AMIA Conference, Seattle
December 4-7, 2012

Digital Asset Symposium
October 26, 2012

The Reel Thing: Los Angeles
August 23-25, 2012

 

Organizations/Memberships

Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) 2011-present
AMIA Student Chapter, UCLA. Vice President 2012-2014
Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (2013-present)