Appendix 1

10 After the Film Is Finished:
Distribution
Once a fi lm is fi nished, there are still several steps in the workfl ow; the fi lm must be distributed.
This may be done on fi lm, digital delivery to theaters, videotape, or DVD. Specialists will handle all
of these possible delivery systems, but the fi lm postproduction team will need to understand what
the specialists need and be prepared to deliver to them what they need.
Distribution on Film
Distribution on fi lm generally means distribution on 35 mm fi lm. Figure 10.1 shows a typical theater
fi lm projection booth, which uses fi lm. With the exception of IMAX, all other fi lm projection formats
are essentially dead. True, 70 mm and 16 mm are still used, however they are anachronisms; they
have no commercial applications anymore.
Unless you need fewer than four or fi ve release prints, you will need a print internegative. Several
prints can be pulled directly from the camera negative, but every time the camera original is printed,
it’s at risk. Moreover, prints made off of the camera negative are more expensive. Although a print
internegative is expensive, it pays for itself after about fi ve prints.
As mentioned in earlier chapters, an internegative cannot be made directly from the camera negative,
an interpositive must be made from the camera negative, and then the print internegative is made
from the interpositive. The internegative is made from tough estar base fi lm that can be printed at
very high speed. On large fi lms several print internegatives will be made allowing for thousands of
prints to be made.
Prints are shipped on 2,000-foot reels, but are most often spliced together on the projection system
that can typically hold about 15,000 feet of print. Most prints are self-contained; however, DTS prints
are shipped with a separate sound track on CD.
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