Media management on a week long shoot? at DVinfo.net

Bryan McCullough · May 23rd, 2011, 02:50 PM

This isn't a 7D specific question, but figured I'd ask here since there's not a general DSLR forum (unless I'm blind).

I'm going to be shooting for a week in Mexico, trying to work out media management. Basically I'll be shooting all day, then will need to unload cards at night on laptop.

What I do normally is just import the clips into Final Cut as ProRes LT, then reuse the cards. But I'm thinking about not doing that while in the field, for transfer time sake and storage size.

So here are my thoughts, please let me know if you think of a better way:

- Transfer entire contents of card each day to external hard drive, keeping the file structure in place but putting each card into it's own folder ("1-1" for Day 1/Reel 1).
- Backup external HD to duplicate external HD after each day's transfer
- After returning to office import entire week as ProRes from external HD.

Any reason this wouldn't work? It seems to be to be the quickest (on site) transfer and smallest file size.

Thanks!

Bryan

Daniel Weber · May 26th, 2011, 08:51 PM

That is exactly the workflow I use and I go overseas for longer periods of time than one week. I then convert all my files when i get back.

On one trip though I did convert the files every night in FCP and it was a good way to log the days shoot. I found that it took to much time after spending a long day of filming and haven't done it since.

One thing I make sure to do though is put the video from my interviews with the audio from the Zoom recorder into a folder so that I can sync them up later. Makes life much easier.

Dan Weber

May 23rd, 2011, 02:50 PM	#1
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Media management on a week long shoot? This isn't a 7D specific question, but figured I'd ask here since there's not a general DSLR forum (unless I'm blind). I'm going to be shooting for a week in Mexico, trying to work out media management. Basically I'll be shooting all day, then will need to unload cards at night on laptop. What I do normally is just import the clips into Final Cut as ProRes LT, then reuse the cards. But I'm thinking about not doing that while in the field, for transfer time sake and storage size. So here are my thoughts, please let me know if you think of a better way: - Transfer entire contents of card each day to external hard drive, keeping the file structure in place but putting each card into it's own folder ("1-1" for Day 1/Reel 1). - Backup external HD to duplicate external HD after each day's transfer - After returning to office import entire week as ProRes from external HD. Any reason this wouldn't work? It seems to be to be the quickest (on site) transfer and smallest file size. Thanks! Bryan

May 26th, 2011, 08:51 PM	#2
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	Re: Media management on a week long shoot? That is exactly the workflow I use and I go overseas for longer periods of time than one week. I then convert all my files when i get back. On one trip though I did convert the files every night in FCP and it was a good way to log the days shoot. I found that it took to much time after spending a long day of filming and haven't done it since. One thing I make sure to do though is put the video from my interviews with the audio from the Zoom recorder into a folder so that I can sync them up later. Makes life much easier. Dan Weber