Archiving visual effects: Filling a digital void in the documented memory of film and television

Digital visual effects emerged onto cinema screens during the mid-20th century and have now become an essential feature of contemporary film and television production. Notwithstanding the rise and prominence of visual effects in the telecinematic discourse as a key visual storytelling tool, there is currently a visual effects gap in audiovisual archival collections, and a digital void in the documented memory of film and television. Why are there no visual effects records in our moving image archives? This reflection will explore the above question by sharing some findings from my doctoral research about records and archiving in the global film and television visual effects industry.