Documentation is a very important part of preserving your moving images.  The decisions and documentation part of the Issues to Consider section provides some advice about the conceptual side of thinking about the future of your work.  This section is similar in its concern, in that it notes the importance of the information about the information, but the suggestions here are more immediately practical.

The basic recording of information can really help you keep track of work and help you look after it.  This starts with labelling.  Each reel of film that you own, whatever it is, should be labelled, both its leader and the can that contains it.  This label should note the film's title, reel number - if appropriate, and whether it’s a positive, negative, camera original, sound track etc.  It would be useful to label the leaders, 'head 'or 'tail' too.  You should use a permanent marker or better still an archival inked pen, available from an arts supply shop.  On the can lid, you can write down any particular projection instructions.  If the film is delicate in anyway, if it is painted for example, this should be written on both the leader and can or box.

If you have lots of films, you might want to give them a number or code for ordering and easy access.  These can then be compiled into a reference list.  This could be very useful for work with your film in the future.  It also makes it easier to share information with other holders of films, and thus potentially aiding the tracking down of other prints, versions etc.