Published 11/11/2021
What's your role at Bridgeman Images?
I am excited to join the team as Content Partner Manager for Footage and Film Stills, working to find and create new partnerships with collections specializing in footage content/film stills while also continuing to nurture and support those pre-existing relationships.
What do you love most about your job?
I have always loved the moment of entering a new archive and digging around within their holdings, and here I am getting the opportunity to do just that but with so many different diverse collections. Discovering and creating partnerships with both established and under the radar collections around the world is a dream come true.
What misconceptions do people most commonly have about the archive? What is something people might not know about the archive?
I think it's a misconception that many people have about big archives and libraries spaces in general - that they come in thinking they know what they want and bypass the rest. It's more than just fine art. And it's okay to be intimidated by the sheer volume of content and allow yourself to get lost within it, going down rabbit holes and discovering something you may not have even known you were looking for in the first place. With in-house researchers, you can really spend time with the collections. It's never a waste.
Sarah's top picks from our archive
The Ugly Ducking, 1966
The first job I had out of college was working for a film archive in South Carolina and the very first piece of film I remember working with there was of an angry goose. I'm not sure why images from that film have always stuck with me, but it was oddly influential in my love of archival footage. When I started perusing the Bridgeman footage collections, the first thing that jumped out to me was the amazing animation style of Halas & Batchelor's The Ugly Duckling and in a weird way, it just made sense that it made this list.
CU of Green Traffic Light, 1960s
I love finding supposedly random things of mystery. I have no idea what is going on within this clip but it's abstract and completely up to interpretation. You can make up your own story.
New Years Eve Berlin, 1920s
Fireworks, champagne and overall merriment. 100 years ago and yet feels like you are right there. The power of the moving image to bring you into a scene cannot be overstated enough in this industry.
Inflorescences part 2, 1970s
This film is entrancing and calming - the CU shots of flowers and the French narration all come together in an interesting way. I want to see how this could be used by potential clients.
A Scottish soldier performs a folk-dance, 1939
During my grad school time in Scotland, I spent many months researching WWII newsreels and finding new ways to utilize the footage. This simple B&W clip of a Scottish soldier dancing brings me back to that time, my studies and reminds me of what I'm passionate about and why I'm excited for this new journey with Bridgeman Images!
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