MWArchival

Is a boutique archival production house specializing in third-party materials

  • Led by an Emmy-nominated producer and PGA member, our company brings a Producer’s mindset to every archival and research project. We don’t just find content—we shape story, manage complexity, and deliver at the highest standard.

  • We collaborate closely with Directors, Producers and Editors to understand story goals and identify archival materials that enhance and support the narrative. Our work is led by a trained historian and Asian Americanist, with a research background in digital media activism, and oral histories. This foundation ensures a thoughtful and context-driven approach to archival storytelling.

  • We locate and evaluate archival content that brings stories to life, working across major archives, private collections, and online platforms. With archival contacts spanning over 20 years, our team excels at uncovering hard-to-find footage—including original sources behind YouTube clips or digitized material needing clearance for film use.

  • We digitize a wide range of legacy media—tapes, film, photos, and documents—using professional-grade equipment to ensure high-quality transfers. All materials are carefully handled with the option to be returned in archival-safe packaging suited to their format, preserving both the content and its physical integrity.

  • Once content is sourced, we handle all logging and metadata tracking to ensure every asset is organized, searchable, and production-ready. Our team standardizes formats, labels footage accurately, and works closely with editors and post teams to integrate archival material seamlessly into the existing workflow.

  • We prepare final assets for distribution by ensuring all archival materials meet legal, technical, and creative standards. This includes confirming final rights & clearances, delivering high-resolution masters, and providing complete source information and rights documentation. so your project is cleared and ready to be seen.

  • Our expert team is available for individual project consulting as well as personal archival management.

From locating and licensing content to navigating the Fair Use process, we work seamlessly with your team to solve problems, meet creative goals, and integrate fluidly into existing workflows.

What are third-party materials?

  • Footage

    Any additional footage required that is not created by the production team. This can include; archival news footage, television or film clips, home movies, cultural moments, corporate archives, government footage, b-roll, educational videos, social media videos.

  • Photography

    Historic photos, celebrity portraits, personal family photographs from specific decades, social moments, crime scene or police evidence, BTS production stills, sports photography, yearbook photos, medical images, historic maps.

  • Ephemera

    Any printed or physical material that were originally intended for a short-term use. This can include; Flyers and posters, tickets and programs, letters and postcards, brochures and pamphlets, magazine and newspaper clippings, ID’s, badges, and menus.