How "Send Help" became the year’s first must-see movie
The survival comedy-thriller *Send Help*, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, opened January 30 and has grossed $74 million worldwide. Producer Zainab Azizi and director Sam Raimi collaborated for six years to bring the film to theaters, relying on Dropbox to manage production materials across multiple locations.
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The film follows an employee stranded on a deserted island with her boss, blending survival, comedy, and thriller elements. Director Sam Raimi and producer Zainab Azizi spent six years developing the project, which opened January 30 and has already earned $74 million globally. The story’s twist-driven narrative keeps audiences guessing about character loyalties, a deliberate choice by Raimi to enhance suspense and engagement in theaters.
Production faced logistical challenges, including filming in Sydney and Thailand, managing hundreds of storyboards, and coordinating complex sound and visual effects. Azizi emphasized the importance of pre-production planning to maintain control over a sprawling shoot. Dropbox served as a central hub for organizing storyboards, art designs, and behind-the-scenes footage, streamlining collaboration among departments.
The film’s plane crash sequence required extensive research, with the VFX supervisor compiling crash footage from various films for reference. All materials, including 3D models of the boar and crash footage, were stored and shared via Dropbox. Azizi noted that the platform helped manage chaotic production data, keeping teams aligned during a six-year process that included pandemic disruptions.
Azizi described Dropbox as essential for organizing the film’s chaotic workflow, from storyboards to behind-the-scenes photos. The tool allowed real-time updates and access to materials, even on the morning of interviews. The film’s success underscores the role of digital organization in large-scale productions, with Dropbox facilitating coordination across global locations.