A method of preparing a photochromic-dichroic film comprising: (a) forming a first molten thermoplastic composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a photochromic-dichroic compound; (b) forming a second molten thermoplastic composition comprising a second thermoplastic polymer; (c) forming a third molten thermoplastic composition comprising a third thermoplastic polymer; (d) introducing said first molten thermoplastic composition, said second molten thermoplastic composition, and said third molten thermoplastic composition into a die having a terminal slot; (e) removing a molten extrudate from said terminal slot, said molten extrudate comprising, (i) a first molten layer comprising said first molten thermoplastic composition, (ii) a second molten layer comprising said second molten thermoplastic composition, and (iii) a third molten layer comprising said third molten thermoplastic composition, wherein said first molten layer is interposed between said second molten layer and said third molten layer; (f) cooling said molten extrudate to form a multilayer film comprising a first layer formed from said first molten layer, a second layer formed from said second molten layer, and a third layer formed from said third molten layer, wherein said first layer is interposed between said second layer and said third layer; and (g) removing, from said first layer, said second layer and said third layer, and retaining said first layer, wherein said first layer defines said photochromic-dichroic film, the method further comprising collecting said multilayer film on a collection roll thereby forming a wound roll, and optionally storing said wound roll, wherein the collecting and the optional storing steps are performed prior to removing, from said first layer, said second layer and said third layer, wherein said second layer defines a first exterior surface of said multilayer film, said third layer defines a second exterior surface of said multilayer film, and at least one of said first exterior surface and said second exterior surface comprise micro-grooves, wherein said micro-grooves are dimensioned to allow gas to escape from between overlapping layers of said multilayer film residing on said wound roll. (a) forming a first molten thermoplastic composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a photochromic-dichroic compound; (b) forming a second molten thermoplastic composition comprising a second thermoplastic polymer; (c) forming a third molten thermoplastic composition comprising a third thermoplastic polymer; (d) introducing said first molten thermoplastic composition, said second molten thermoplastic composition, and said third molten thermoplastic composition into a die having a terminal slot; (e) removing a molten extrudate from said terminal slot, said molten extrudate comprising, (i) a first molten layer comprising said first molten thermoplastic composition, (ii) a second molten layer comprising said second molten thermoplastic composition, and (iii) a third molten layer comprising said third molten thermoplastic composition, wherein said first molten layer is interposed between said second molten layer and said third molten layer; (i) a first molten layer comprising said first molten thermoplastic composition, (ii) a second molten layer comprising said second molten thermoplastic composition, and (iii) a third molten layer comprising said third molten thermoplastic composition, (f) cooling said molten extrudate to form a multilayer film comprising a first layer formed from said first molten layer, a second layer formed from said second molten layer, and a third layer formed from said third molten layer, wherein said first layer is interposed between said second layer and said third layer; and (g) removing, from said first layer, said second layer and said third layer, and retaining said first layer, wherein said first layer defines said photochromic-dichroic film, the method further comprising collecting said multilayer film on a collection roll thereby forming a wound roll, and optionally storing said wound roll, wherein the collecting and the optional storing steps are performed prior to removing, from said first layer, said second layer and said third layer, wherein said second layer defines a first exterior surface of said multilayer film, said third layer defines a second exterior surface of said multilayer film, and at least one of said first exterior surface and said second exterior surface comprise micro-grooves, wherein said micro-grooves are dimensioned to allow gas to escape from between overlapping layers of said multilayer film residing on said wound roll.