I suppose that back in the day films were shipped in physical form, but how does that work nowadays?
Google Drive link to mp4 file seems unlikely
In: 441
All the answers here are correct.
Not really eli5 but…
They are called DCP’s and each one varies in size depending on a load of factors. Generally between 100 to 200gb. Trailers around 5/6gb. How they are sent all depends on the theatre, what they have installed, what contracts they have in place with distributors and what contracts distributors have with content delivery partners.
Some will have electronic delivery systems which are managed by a distributor / 3rd party. This is literally sent to the cinema over an internet line (can be as fast or slow as it is – can take days, but they start them early if needed / available). Film maker gives files to distributor – distributor sends to the NAS installed at the cinema (or direct to TMS in some instances) – NAS then pushes to TMS (or TMS pulls file from NAS depending on configuration).
Those who don’t have that will have them sent via hdd which are then either ingested directly into the server for that screen. Or a central server (TMS – Theatre Management System) which then pings the movie out to whatever auditorium needs it (software can do nearly all of this automatically).
Which option is chosen all depends on costs and who pays and also sometimes how long they have (if electronic will take a few days, it’s can be quicker to send to cinema via courier) In some instances cinema will have to pay delivery fee. Other times distributor pays it.
Physical deliveries of trailers will also be dvd or usb stick as they need to be sent we’ll before the film is ready to be sent to cinema.
Also sometimes DCP’s do come in via email attachment or Google drive/Dropbox/wetransfer link (a certain major company use this method). These are not usually the main film (some small distributors might try though!) but more often a subtitled version file (vf) that cannot be used without the main version of the film.
Also KDM’s (key delivery messages – keys to unlock the film) are sent via email. Some cinemas have a system to take the key from email and auto upload to the TMS.
Eli5 – Every option is available and used. Common: internet & HDD. Uncommon and not liked: Google drive/Dropbox/ wetransfer link.
[https://images.app.goo.gl/ijQbUekzZ1DP4PiH7](https://images.app.goo.gl/ijQbUekzZ1DP4PiH7)
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