The entire Process

[morymb]

Hi, I'm looking for information on the entire process of how a film is transferred. I was hoping to maybe get some points in the right direction concerning this. My biggest curiosity is in how the studios/distributors would copy the film print into a "master" to be endlessly duped for the home video market. I am also curious as to the differences between these masters as time goes by. What kind of format these masters are on; i.e - what kind of master fora VHS release back in 1985 as opposed to modern day. What format? Tape? Must've been, right? All this kind of stuff I am very interested in. I know that sometimes a blu-ray is made using the original film, but I am more curious as to how a lot of transfers occur using an older master/newer master. What is this master? And what is the technical process of transferring these masters to VHS, DVD, and BD? Any docs out there? Thanks very much!