Archive
Facilities
Still in it’s early days and with ongoing facility
development, the Archive Project currently operates out of a small
space next to the radio room.
To ensure the tapes aren’t exposed to any more of the rigours
of desert life – dust, mice and extreme temperatures –
they are stored in boxes in a six bay compactor. A temperature-controlled
air conditioner is soon to be installed along with lightproof curtains. |
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Database
Once a target number of tapes have been evaluated they will be sent
away to be cleaned and transferred to Digital Betacam. These copies
will be kept in safe storage at a facilty outside of Yuendumu. Back
at Warlpiri Media, the videos will be transferred to DVD for the
community to access with the help of the database. |
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The
database is an important search and review tool. It is also essential
for determining access to material that may be restricted for
certain cultural reasons. Images of deceased people are highly
offensive to Yapa so this is specifically and appropriately noted
on the database. Other restrictions may apply to footage of certain
ceremonies, ie; women only or men only. There are also Adult only,
Yuendumu only, Yapa only and bad quality classifications.
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Teams of people view the
tapes and enter detailed information into a database. Due to the
age and condition of the tapes, the video heads must be cleaned
thoroughly after each viewing. Left to fester, the VCRs might develop
their own ecosystems. |
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