ABSTRACT
A finished project has the potential to be sold in multiple markets, even if it has been licensed: Theatrical, TV, streaming, DVD, and domestic, foreign and other markets. There is a long list of materials to “save” – the same materials that the distributor will want to acquire. Output your files at the highest resolution, and store them on the most reliable high-volume storage element; make several backup copies on LTO, data capture cards, SSD media and hard drives. File formats change and others degrade, so migrate data every five years or earlier. Think about a film finish – turning your DI into film negative. YCM color separations on film are even more color-accurate than making a digital negative. Keep masters safely stored in multiple places. Film elements, YCMs, negatives and optical sound tracks are stored in climate-controlled vaults. Some studios send finished projects and data file delivery materials to a Cloud storage bank. These are huge facilities in multiple undisclosed locations throughout the US and abroad. The materials are backed up multiple times, and major encryption is applied. Cloud storage services are bound to expand in the near future. Research all options and costs first: The storage charges are usually per upload and download.
