Archiving strategies for DV?
May 22, 2006 3:02 AM Subscribe
Final Cut Pro users: What do you do with your bulky collection of project and video files when you're ostensibly done with the project?
Best answer: There are a couple of strategies.
No matter what:
Projects, imports (photoshop files, motion files, DVDSP files, AE files) all have to be archived (DVD or CD).
If you have good timecode on your DV tapes, they're your backup of your video files. All you need to do is batch capture.
If you can afford it (if you *know* the client will be back), I'd put the raw capture files on a harddrive (or two.) I've tended to build that into the project price. Then just reconnect the hard drives.
posted by filmgeek at 4:27 AM on May 22, 2006
No matter what:
Projects, imports (photoshop files, motion files, DVDSP files, AE files) all have to be archived (DVD or CD).
If you have good timecode on your DV tapes, they're your backup of your video files. All you need to do is batch capture.
If you can afford it (if you *know* the client will be back), I'd put the raw capture files on a harddrive (or two.) I've tended to build that into the project price. Then just reconnect the hard drives.
posted by filmgeek at 4:27 AM on May 22, 2006
I like to save a text file of all my clips and bins also.
posted by sswiller at 9:00 AM on May 22, 2006
posted by sswiller at 9:00 AM on May 22, 2006
I remember an AE pro saying that every project he does, he does on a new hard drive and when it's over, he seals the hard drive up and puts it away. With hard drives running as low as $50, that sounds like a pretty decent idea, and time-savings-wise it can't be beat.
posted by jedrek at 11:28 AM on May 22, 2006
posted by jedrek at 11:28 AM on May 22, 2006
Best answer: Last thought.
I create titles of notes of things unique I did in my shows. I drop them in a bin (folder) inside of FCP.
Now, a year later, when I open a show I haven't looked at forever, I can quickly figure out some bizarre effect, or reason I have to match something by eye.
posted by filmgeek at 3:38 AM on May 23, 2006
I create titles of notes of things unique I did in my shows. I drop them in a bin (folder) inside of FCP.
Now, a year later, when I open a show I haven't looked at forever, I can quickly figure out some bizarre effect, or reason I have to match something by eye.
posted by filmgeek at 3:38 AM on May 23, 2006
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I keep the project files (they take up practically no space on the HD) and delete all the video files. I can do this without too much hastle as I tend to log my tapes properly with the timecode intact. That way, if I need to recapture anything, I simply load up the project and recapture off the tapes (batch capture). It's a bit annoying to keep swapping tapes, but it's a safe way to retain the video. Initially it's a time-consuming habit to get into before I start editing, but the time saved later on is worth it.
Burning DVDs/using an external HD is a wise choice for backing up as well, but a bit difficult due to the size of some stuff being used.
Also, labeling project files with a date helps.
posted by slimepuppy at 4:24 AM on May 22, 2006