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Transferring a FCP project, files and all connected media – necessary?
I have a potentially new client who has asked me to come in to finish editing a documentary (originally slated for PBS) which was started, and maybe half or more of it completed by a filmmaker who has recently died. We have all the material used on a hard drive with all of the media, the FCP timeline along with the supporting documents/files, etc. None of that’s an issue (except the time consuming process of sorting things out).
Here’s the problem and question. The primary producer on this project is in another state. He still needs to raise more money (esp. if we’re to continue). Apparently, he’s asked my client (who’s de facto the one coordinating the ongoing project) to send him not only a copy of the draft program, which partially completed, and is on a QT file of about 3 gigs, but also the FCP timeline including the media that goes with it. It seems, the producer is of the mind we can send him the FCP timeline file and “only” the media that was used in the timeline. The file folder for this project is around 322 gigs, so we originally were going to transfer the entire contents of the drive we have to another 500 G drive and send it to him. Again, this producer is asking my client to send him the timeline with JUST the media actually used in the timeline which he thinks should be a lot smaller in Gigs. I have not yet had time to review the file folder for the project so I’m still a little in the dark. However, I don’t know of any way to do this, does anyone? My assistant, an experienced FCP editor, says there’s no way and, if the producer wants to be able to open the timeline on his FCP, he’ll need to have all of the media from the hard drive associated with this project put on the hard drive. So, my question: is there a way to send this guy the FCP project file with timeline AND with only the media that is actually used in the project attached to it, and not all of the captured scratch included on the hard drive? (I’m not sure why he needs it but…) Once again, this project’s draft timeline when output to QT is only around 3 Gigs, but the project folder is 322 gigs. Obviously, with some time and careful scowering of the drive, some of that can be left out but it really doesn’t make sense to do all that work – unless there’s a way to take the FCP timeline and transfer it to the new drive along with ONLY the media actualy used.
If anyone has any ideas about this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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5 Replies
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[Mike Manor] “So, my question: is there a way to send this guy the FCP project file with timeline AND with only the media that is actually used in the project attached to it, and not all of the captured scratch included on the hard drive? “
Yes. You can do this pretty easily using Media Manager.
Carefully read the chapter in FCP help on how to use the Media Manager, beginning Volume IV Page 93 -
Mike,
As John says, it relatively easy and its actually one of the things that works quite well in Media Manager. I too recommend that you read the manual, but keep in mind that what you want to pay attention to is the Copying not Moving the files onto another hard drive.
In a nut shell, in the Browser you would select just the timeline you want to send to the other people, then open media manager and set it to copy the project and the media in that timeline to a new project on another drive. Also, make very certain to deselect the button that asks about erasing unused media. And, one more thing, make certain that the folks on the other end are using the same version or a higher version of FCP as your are using, or they will not be able to open the project.
Good luck,
DRW -
I know this is advice not asked for, but I’d double check that your assistant editor REALLY is experienced with FCP, and decide whether or not you want to rely on expertise that might not really be there when YOU really need it.
This is a very simple thing that any editor with chops, whether they like the way Media Manager functions or not, knows about. To tell you that it’s not possible is just plain wrong. I certainly could make room for the possibility that your assistant misunderstood the original request, but I’d make sure this person really has the pedigree thay claim before moving on.
debe
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Thanks John. I did read up on this in Chapt IV and it helped me figure it out. As a relatively recent convert from M100 I wasn’t aware of this function, so thanks a lot.
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David, Thanks for your help on this. I followed up on your advice as well as read up in the manuals (noted above) and got it figured out and working. Thanks again.
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