File location - backup - Best practices in FCP

Here's my strategy:

I keep the project files on my boot drive, but keep the Autosave files another internal drive. That way if one drive fails, I'll always have a recent copy. Of course, this can be reversed; you can keep the project file on the media drive and the Autosaves on the boot drive. Just as long as they both aren't on the same drive you should be OK.

I also make daily backups of ALL of my project files (regardless of how old they are) on another drive as well as on a remote server. And I make daily backups of any non-recapturable files used in any current projects (graphics, photos, VOs, music, etc).

For ALL clients, I keep the original camera tapes. With disc-based or card-based cameras, that isn't an option so you'll have to determine an alternate archiving method. For archive purposes, I also keep a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM of all the non-recapturable files used in projects - typically one disc per project.

For corporate clients that have projects that require regular changes or updates, I keep the footage and non-recapturable files for their project on a spare SATA hard drive. When they need an update, I simply plug the drive into a WebieTech drive dock and go to work. The cost of the drive is figured into their budget.

-DH

 

I save the project file in a folder in my documents (internal drive) then on my external drive i have two folders, one for my scratch disk and one for my finished videos that i save as self contained movies. After awhile i usually dump the scratch folder but i always keep the project files and the finished videos. But I don't do video professionally so there's no need to save all of the scratch files.

 

Keep Project on Boot Drive

I like to keep my Raw (Scratch) files on one Drive, my render files on a second drive and the project files on my boot drive. Keeping the Project file separate from the Scratch folder allows your computer's processor and hard drives to better split up the tasks of reading the footage (scratch) and what it's supposed to do with the footage (project). I separate my render files for the same reason.

Depending on how you captured the footage, you may be able to save just the project file and recapture any deleted files if you need to re-edit. Otherwise you're stuck with hanging on to all of the raw and a completed movie of the project.