Organization is the Key to Using Video Production Software

Organization is the Key to Using Video Production Software
Page content

Stay Organized

Editing programs like Final Cut Pro can appear cluttered and chaotic to new users. As you begin to work on larger products different types of video, photo, and music files will begin to pile up in your browser. Without proper organizational principles in the program you can easily lose footage or get confused when working on your project.

Bins

The most important thing to do is to create Bins for every different type of file you are using. Bins are the folders in the Browser that you can place different types of files. Each project uses a different type of organizational system, but it is best to divide different types of footage you have shot into different Bins based of relevance and production dates. If you are using photos, stock footage, music, or sound effects, they should all have their own labeled bins. Once you begin editing you will be chopping your video clips into smaller subclips for creating sequences. Give each sequence its own Bin and then put each tiny subclip into its respective Bin so you know exactly where each subclip is being used. Likewise, make sure every video and audio clip is properly labeled and numbered for easy access.

Capture Folder

The most important thing to do is to create Bins for every different type of file you are using. Bins are the folders in the Browser where you can place different types of files. Each project uses a different type of organizational system, but it is best to divide different types of footage you have shot into different Bins based on relevance and production dates. If you are using photos, stock footage, music, or sound effects, they should all have their own labeled bins. Once you begin editing you will be chopping your video clips into smaller subclips for creating sequences. Give each sequence its own Bin and then put each tiny subclip into its respective Bin so you know exactly where each subclip is being used. Likewise, make sure every video and audio clip is properly labeled and numbered for easy access.

Keep Up On It

Organization is both one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of digital video editing. If you keep up on it every time you are doing anything on your project you should always stay in good shape.

This post is part of the series: Final Cut Pro

Learn different tools in Final Cut Pro with this tutorial series.

  1. The History of Final Cut Pro
  2. Final Cut Pro Certification
  3. How to Use “Photo Motion” in Final Cut Pro - Part 1
  4. How to Use “Photo Motion” in Final Cut Pro - Part 2
  5. How to Do Color Correction in Final Cut Pro
  6. How To Change Video Clip Speeds in Final Cut Pro
  7. How to Make Video Clips Black and White in Final Cut Pro
  8. How to Do Video Transitions in Final Cut Pro
  9. How to “Nest” Items in Final Cut Pro
  10. How to Import and Capture Video in Final Cut Pro
  11. Keeping Your Final Cut Pro Project Organized
  12. Video Editing - How to Crop Images in Final Cut Pro
  13. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro
  14. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro - Part 2 of 3
  15. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro - Part 3 of 3
  16. Using Markers in Final Cut Pro
  17. Labeling Clips in Final Cut Pro
  18. Adding Zoom to Video in Final Cut Pro
  19. Creating Map Motion in Final Cut Pro
  20. Printing to Video in Final Cut Pro
  21. How to Make Scrolling Credits in Final Cut Pro
  22. Keyboard Remapping in Final Cut Pro
  23. Quick Organizational Tips for Final Cut Pro
  24. Learning How to Use Final Cut Pro