BRITISH DEFENCE FILM LIBRARY (now part of BFBS)

Description

Previously known as the Services Sound & Vision Corporation (SSVC), this is now pat of BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service). It has long been associated with the armed forces, providing both radio and TV broadcasting for military personnel around the world. In addition to this the company has also produced hundreds of training films commissioned by the Ministry of Defence for the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force. It is these programmes along with others, spanning nearly 40 years, that provide an excellent source of military footage. This material is now available to broadcasters and programme makers. With unequalled access to the military and covering a wide range of subject matter the British Defence Film Library is one of the official suppliers of Ministry of Defence footage, providing unique contemporary material. The Library continues to expand each year as new material is constantly being added.

Artefact description

Comprehensive collection of contemporary Military Training programmes and supporting documentation including scripts, storyboards and cue sheets.

Website

https://www.bfbs.com/

Keywords

Military forces; Aircraft; Artillery; Maps, cartography; Mines, anti-personnel; Royal Air Force; Royal Navy; Seafaring; Wars

Access

Office open to visitors (by prior apppointment) Monday - Friday between 09:00.- 17:30. Access for disabled.

Facilities

Viewing facilities available on premises or by sending viewing copies on VHS format. Other facilities include: duplicating, multi-format copying, satellite uplinking and digitisation.

Charges

Charges for research for broadcast and non-broadcast productions. Charges for research for academic purposes. Charges for facilities and handling. Charges for other services. Prices available on request.

Copyright

Copyright held. All original material is Crown copyright. Completed programmes contain ‘other’ library material. Copyright advice available.

Moving Image, Audio and Related Documentation Holdings

Video/Film

Video: 16,000 cassettes. Approximately 4,000 titles and 12,000 rushes. Military training programmes; edited programmes and rushes.
Video components: VHS, S-VHS Video, hi-8, hi-band U-Matic, lo-band U-Matic, 1-inch, D3, DVC Pro, Betacam, Beta SP, DigiBeta.

Artefact and Related Documentation Holdings

Documents

Catalogues; Correspondence; Cue sheets; Scripts and treatments; Storyboards; Other production documentation

Catalogues

Printed catalogue

Available, indexed.

Additional Information

Conservation policy

All material is stored and archived. World War II and post-war material along with all original film material is held by the Imperial War Museum Film and Video Archive.

Artefact notes

A majority of the collection is logged on a bespoke computer system.