Narrating the preservation of a film school archive – Re-configuring the hero’s journey across the nexus of conservation and film production

Abstract Narrating the preservation of a film school archive–Re-configuring hero’s journey across nexus conservation and production. In 2013, program to secure future more than 1800 films produced by students in Victorian College Arts’ Department Film Television commenced at University Melbourne. This is highly significant collection, with from 1966 present, that contains work some Australia’s pre-eminent producers, cinematographers, scriptwriters, others. Utilising narrative frameworks theory, particularly victim hero narrative, this paper explores taken preserve archive make it accessible current public. makes explicit value inquiry as method for active rethinking reframing project, opportunities democratisation increasing plurality during project highlighted need contest celebratory completion ensure continued risk hero-archive remains central institutional concern.