WS - Media Management

Owned by Adam Barrett
Last updated: Feb 15, 2016 by Former user (Deleted)

The process of editing raw media into a polished, finished product is an exciting one. But it won’t be, if all your time is spent searching for the correct media. 

To aid your editing process, which in essence is the process of putting the right clips in the right order, first order your media clips in folders and bins,

labeling each clip using a comprehensive naming convention.

Start by managing your Media on your storage device (whilst studying at Curtin you will be allocated space on the Isilon Server).

Whenever I start a project i know I am going to need the following folders:

  • Audio - any Audio to be recorded on a separate device to the camera, music, sound effects. Within the Audio Folder you will make additional folders for the type of audio you are storing.
  • Media - this is where you will store (datawrangle) all camera cards
  • PrP - this is where you will save, work from, and store all editing (Premiere) project files. Within this folder Premiere automatically creates an Auto Save folder and a Preview Files folder. It is highly recommended that you date all project files.
  • Gfx - any graphics that you may have for the project, ie. photos, lower thirds/supers, disclaimers, etc.. Again, create more folders within this folder to store specific types of graphic media.

If you head into Photoshop for any reason...create a folder (PS or Photoshop, whatever worrks for you). If you go into After Effects...create a new folder for that type of media, and so on.

The image is an example of my media space and why it is important to date and clearly label each project you work on.

Once you are in Premiere (or any application, for that matter) it is still imperative you keep everything clear and concise...this begins with making Bins (the same concept as folders).

The Project panel is where you can label and manage all your media easily and efficiently.

You can create Bins for grouping similar types of media or file types together.

 

To create a new Bin, right click inside the Project panel and select New Bin from the drop down menu.  


Again, I know that I will always need Bins for AUDIO, GRAPHICS, MEDIA and SEQUENCES, so I automatically create them...before any other process.

 

You can create as many bins as are helpful for your media management, you can also create bins within bins.

 

Bins are great to separate your media files into, for example, scenes or shooting days or interview subject.

 

You can view as folders or as a list (toggle bottom left corner of window).

 

"The rhythm in which a scene is played is dictated by the actors, but it is also dictated by the editor. The editor has to make the performance.

You cannot just let things play exactly the way they were in reality.

Sometimes you have to energise the scene, shrinking time and pacing shots – pacing is a very important factor in how you put it together."

        - Dede Allen

Need Help?

Contact a Post-Production Specialist

 

An informative blogpost on prepping media and labelling for documentary production

A very comprehensive overview of different video clip naming conventions