Media Management in FCP | Storage Locations, Relinking Files and More!

[@teamvigod]

Thank you so much for going over all this! I was one who left comments because I saw so many creators who leave files in place and others who import to library. This completely covers how each works and the pros/cons. I'm new to FCP and was too terrified to start down a path that would become a storage and organizational disaster! Your great point that gets me to agree with the import to Library is that generally we will want a backup so why not have the Library with all the media in it as one and the folder of media as the backup as you point out. That makes perfect sense. It is also great for me who generally is not super organized. Being organized was never a core strength of mine so keeping it all in the Library should avoid so many of the pitfalls you mentioned. Then I'll have the original media folder as well I can use if I need footage from other projects (or can use the Library) plus it is backup. I'm breathing a sigh of relief today.

[@JennJagerPro]

I was never super organized either until I got burned and learned a lesson. Don't feel bad! Glad this was helpful!

[@JennJagerPro]

Also, you weren't the only one :)

[@celinebacconnet1818]

Same to me! this comment sums up the perception that I have after watching this video, thanks for sharing all these information!

[@NorbertoCruz]

From now on you will be my amazing teacher. Thanks so much for sharing all this content and helping us!!

[@cosimofulceri3190]

Same here. Great content!

[@jigsound]

Thanks for sharing your system! 🙌✨ In my FCPX projects, I often use WAV, PNG and PSD files, which will be re-exported from 3rd party applications several times during a video post-production and need to update immediately in the video project. This sequence would make it difficult to let FCPX handle copy and handle the media in the library itself. An adequate solution to this has been as follows: The FCPX library lives within a parent folder of the project where other particular folders are located ("Raw Footage", "Raw Audio", "Photos", "PSDs", etc.) I tend to create these project "master folders" on a huge NAS and edit off it as well, so the project is automatically archived and easily referenced after it is finished-which is neat! The "missing media" problem will, of course, emerge should the master folder path or name be ever changed, but that can be managed quite effortlessly with the "relink media" operation, which you explained in this video. As your team is operating under one roof, have you ever considered a NAS on a local network? I'm contently using Synology (x2, for daily backups!), but this is not a sponsored endorsement. Just happy to not have to handle separate hard drives for routine stuff any longer. 😅 - Eero

[@CAMTechChris]

Great tutorial Jenn. Definitely copy files. Leaving files in place is asking for trouble with lost or disorganized files.

[@janeybakarbessy2330]

I love your tutorial as I am learning so much about FCP and I am 52 years old/young. I film a lot on my iPhone and definelty wanna try to make a project in FCP. Thanks so much!

[@jeffarballo1881]

This actually makes so much more sense and would probably help keep me more organized.

[@Hebhansen]

Best tutorials and instruction on the web. Awesome work Jenn!

[@JennJagerPro]

That's a bold statement, but I like it! Thank you.

[@dipdoting]

This is perfect timing! I literally just had the problem where I had deleted media without importing it first and couldn't render. Thank you!!!

[@jradnor]

Newbie here, soaking in all this excellent content. Good job, Jenn!

[@jonahs_joyful_journey]

Thank you soooo much for your very informative videos! New sub here. I finally understand how to manage my files thanks to you! ❤️

[@Richard_Broom_Photography]

A very useful tutorial. Thank you. I am guilty of loosing files all over the place and then spend ages hunting them down. One thing I don't use is Projects. I create a library for every video I make and then create just one event and build up the video in that event. I double backup to two separate removable hard drives and, if the video is really important, I stick a copy on DropBox and also on an additional removable drive. I should really find out what the advantages of of using projects but never seem to get round to it. And, of course, Scotland LOVES you!

[@putarmstrong9736]

Thanks, Jenn. I have also heard other KZbinrs say to leave files in place. I have done that. But I am so organizationally challenged, I have lost or misplaced many videos. Moving files to a library and making backups from them is a better solution for me. Wish I could go to the FCP event, but I’m going to Italy instead.

[@JennJagerPro]

Thanks so much! Enjoy Italy! 🇮🇹

[@TheRobkob]

absolutely positively fantastic

[@CreativeIsolation]

One small addition, in the finder window>right click library>show package contents>original media. It’s all right there.

[@Icelandlover]

Awesome tutorial! I will change my process from now on. Amazing.

[@gcruishank9663]

Really great explanation, will be watching your other vids.

[@JennJagerPro]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jjdigitalvideosolutionsllc5343]

I've always copied media to the library, or the library equivalent on other systems I've used. I like to have everything consolidated in one place for each project. Back-ups of everything too.

[@Dronessey]

I little jumbled. Had to re-listen about the methods a few times before I got it. But good advice. Thank You. Glad I’m investing the time learning first.

[@CeceliaGreeneBarr]

Thanks for this video. how do you create the project bundles that are uploaded to Dropbox?

[@msnspy]

Something very much needed thank you😫🔥🔥

[@JennJagerPro]

Ok great! I was trying not to get too into the weeds on this one.

[@TazGoldstein]

Great video! While I don’t necessarily align with your storage and backup choices, I absolutely love that you stress the important of doing “what works for you.” As long as we protect ourselves against catastrophic failure, the path to success can be different for everybody.

[@JennJagerPro]

@@TazGoldstein 💯

[@JennyO-zo1ry]

You have convinced me to copy to library. All of my libraries are a mess, in various stages of completion and all had leave files in place" selected. Do you recommend simply modifying the storage location and selecting Consolidate? Or would you create new libraries and start over with the "copy to library option?"

[@JennJagerPro]

I would modify the location and hit Consolidate!

[@alono4473]

Great tutorial! Question, what if I move everything (library, media, etc) to my Dropbox instead of an external SSD? I mean, if I need to open the project in the future how do I relink everything in FCPX since they are in Dropbox? Thanks!

[@dwoodog]

IMO much easier to stay organized if you copy to library, then just back up the library, and maybe the original folder too. I don't like working off my only copy of media, and not to mention if anything botched your hooped.

[@jackwilcox9756]

Yep, you convinced me. 🙂

[@kokoart9252]

Can you give suggestions on the backup drives to use? And hard drives to work from?

[@CreativeIsolation]

She using a Samsung T7. They come in a variety of sizes. They’re reliable and affordable, and plenty fast. Great option. Super popular.

[@BTSflyer]

Maybe I didn't catch it. Is there a separate folder of copied files of the original videos with in the Library? I want to be able to access the files without opening up FCP. I think I need to experiment on this.

[@Volodiaschneider]

I think you need to right click on the library file and select something like “open package content”

[@JennJagerPro]

It's Show Package Contents, and look for a folder that says "Original Media" However, be very very careful not to mess with the file structure in there, you'll really mess up your library.

[@frankfunke8689]

Jenn, I have a problem that I’m hoping you may have a solution. I created a library on an external drive, with all files going to that drive. I filled the 2tb quickly. I got a 4tb drive and did a copy from finder from the 2tb drive to the 4tb drive. I thought that when I opened the library on the 4tb all would work. It didn’t I have the ! Triangle on everything. So I went back to the 2tb drive thinking that all would be working like before. NO. I GET THE SAME ERROR. how can I get everything back? Seriously in need of help!!!😢

[@DavesCave]

Can you use google drive as a back up location instead of drop box?

[@Hatchi-hu3jn]

It depends on your situation. If you have limited internal storage and no SSD like me, my preferred option is to Leave Files in Place

[@CreativeIsolation]

As she points out, whether you leave in place or copy to library, it’s the same amount of space, especially since you must certainly have a back up. Get a T7, they’re getting cheaper and absolutely worth the investment.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Hello Jen, I’m interested in purchasing Rock star tutorial. Question-is this a one shot training or will I have future access to my tutorial? For my reference. Also will there be a place to message someone if I need to ask a question or just plain get stuck? Eric

[@Volodiaschneider]

Thanks for that, very helpful as always. Questions for you. When I select “leave files in place” my library still ends up being very very heavy, like 100gb, as if the files were still being copied. Also, is there a way, once a project is finished, to automatically delete all the unused media to clear some space? Only keep the media that ended up in the edit in case I ever I want to re-export it. Thank you!

[@CreativeIsolation]

You probably want to do a little reading up on optimized media and proxy media. Optimized media takes up significantly more space than the original media, but expedites the workflow. If you have the storage, optimized media is worth using while running your project. You can remove all “transcoded media” (ie optimized and proxy media) by selecting “Delete Transcoded Media” in the “File” drop down when you’ve complete a specific project and want to recover space for the next project. You can select whether to delete transcoded media from a project, event or the entire library. It also gives you the option to delete Render Files. These render out as you work on the project and also take up a lot of room. You can save space without affecting you project by removing “unused render files.” I bet Jenn will do a video on this topic down the road.

[@Volodiaschneider]

@@CreativeIsolation thank you very much for that detailed answer, it helps a lot!! 🙏✨

[@CreativeIsolation]

@@Volodiaschneider my pleasure

[@edgarcastelli5764]

Jenn i truly love your Channel i have learned so much on Final Cut Pro from you and i am getting ready to purchase the 2 Final Cut Pro packages you have, my question i am using Story Blocks primarily. for my Real Estate Videos... Its Ok i see you prefer. Artist is it better Music you think ?

[@JennJager]

Hi, thanks for the nice words. I started using Artlist because at the time I felt like I had EXHAUSTED the storyblocks library. I’m sure I’ll eventually switch back to it or something else for the same reason. If you’re still enjoying Storyblocks, it’s a great resource.

[@edgarcastelli5764]

@@JennJager I just bought the bundle Final Cut Rock star and Next Level can’t wait to start digging into the both courses !!!

[@mrjamesmay3548]

I’m just a personal user with a 2TB library of family video. Can I keep all these in one FC library with an event for each year? Is that safe to do? I’ve read that people say it’s not good but they never say why. It doesn’t seem to slow my machine down. I quite like how it organises over keeping them in finder.

[@karlvaartjes4906]

I could save my files both ways. I have everything backed up on three hard drives one to work on the other incase of the first drive crash the third incase the second crasheds and it was because of the computer then i take the third drive to an other computer and copy the files again. yes i had the same expreience as you by loosing files (around thirty years ago and still remember all the details) The only question i have is what is faster saving the file in library or on external drives. i have been moving hard drives to different inputs to optimize speed both while editing and exporting. do you have any thoughts on working speed?

[@frankentronics]

How do you delete the unwanted parts of clips? Those parts that end up not being used in the final edit. To reduce size of madia.

[@GabriellaMaldonado-cy1um]

Hi Jenn! This videos was very helpful, however i've got another problem and I don't know if you can help me. I've got my Library set to "Leave files in place" that way I'm only using an unique folder with the media but FCP created the FCP Original Media (which copies the media I already have in my drive which I also got backed up in another drive) and links the media I'm using in my timeline to that folder instead of the original one I created (creating some extra mp4 files). So when I relink my missing footage it won't work bc instead of the route being LIBRARY/FOLDER/MEDIA.MOV it's LIBRARY/FCP ORIGINAL MEDIA/MEDIA.MP4 and it has happened twice and I had to do a lil re-edit on my last export so i won't lose all the work :( can you help me manage that?

[@HistoryNut-1701]

I also assume you use multiple cloud libraries for more redundancy.

[@JennJagerPro]

Dropbox itself has innate redundancy so no. I mean I'm paranoid but not that paraniod :D

[@thefirmstudio]

I want to split a long clip into 2 or more smaller clips,. Then put them in different events in the library. I know how to create favorites, etc., but I want to cut out just the part of the longer clips that goes into the other event, and move it there. Anyone know how to do that?

[@FisherPost]

I keep the files in the library- ssd drives are getting cheaper every day.

[@orbbb]

I think I may go to the creative summit.

[@JennJagerPro]

Yesssssssssssss

[@orbbb]

@@JennJagerPro Once a long time ago, when I worked at Apple, I took a call with Steve on FCP 6. This was before Ripple started, so that dates me

[@JennJagerPro]

Steve will be there!

[@orbbb]

@@JennJagerPro I saw that. One of the reasons to go, but more important would be to see you there 👍

[@JennJagerPro]

Oh boy, are you in for a disappointment. Lol

[@JennyO-zo1ry]

Thanks!

[@JennJagerPro]

Thank you!

[@edgarcastelli5764]

Also I leave all my files in place, i just back them up in an External Hard drive then i just Relink the files.

[@robertdema]

I copy into the Library and then, copy that to another drive.

[@LICHINHO]

It is a very dangerous advice to say "don''t just copy, MOVE your media to the other drive". Much safer to let the copy go through, and then delete the original. I never ever teach anyone to do the move, and I never do it myself. If there is a failure (crash, power loss, for example)... data loss!

[@JennJagerPro]

That’s a fair point actually. I’ve never had a problem but I can see how it’s possible.

[@surik5994]

Mxf slow motion files not in putting Video black How to problem salvo mam

[@mikekuhnkey7231]

...at least for now, FCPX lets me produce "archives" (AVCHD) with older Cameras...and still work with 4K videos on iPhone!

[@JESK55]

Do you know Emily Campania of FoxNews???

[@thejdgoodwin]

Fox "News".

[@workingTchr]

I was going to watch this because I need help with exactly this, but I scrubbed through the youtube real quick and saw that 95% (guessing) of the visuals are of the author speaking to the camera. What I need to see are images of FCP in use doing media management, etc.. This is such a common misunderstanding that youtubers have, and it's almost surely because "everyone else does it." The best educational and instructional media uses compelling images of content with the spoken word is done as a voice over.

[@JennJagerPro]

Good to know you formed such a strong opinion on my content without even watching it. I think I’m doing just fine. Thanks for the engagement.

[@workingTchr]

It wasn't about your content particularly but about the general trend.

[@mikekuhnkey7231]

Technology over 20 years has changed, organization over existence has proven difficult. Media has changed from photographic to digital. Changing over to digital...from CD...Blu-Ray...AVCHD and now ProRes 4444 has been the challenge. I throw away more "Drives" than media content. So, yep I copy to Library (iMovie or FCPX) because at least the Libraries are updated with the codecs.