Charlotte Barker

Charlotte Barker serves as Director of Film Restoration and Preservation at Paramount Pictures, where she has worked for nearly 20 years. She leads the Archive’s restoration team, focusing on classic films with a particular emphasis on VistaVision. Her research continues to redefine the history of the widescreen format by uncovering hidden stories, verifying lost technical details, and dispelling long-standing myths. Charlotte’s expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, including SMPTE and the American Cinematographer’s Guild, where she has presented on topics ranging from the history of Sunset Blvd. (1950) to the ethics of film restoration. Her team’s restoration of The Godfather (1972) earned the first-ever HPA Award for Best Restoration. She frequently appears at film festivals, offering behind-the-scenes insights and historical trivia to audiences. Beyond her work at Paramount, Charlotte co-hosts Perf Damage, a film history podcast and YouTube channel, alongside her husband, Emmy-winning camera assistant Adam Barker. She is currently writing a book on the history of VistaVision, drawing on her deep industry connections and decades of experience to tell the definitive story of this groundbreaking format.