DISCLAIMER: Yes the video uses FCP, and however torn I may be, I am being forced to use it for this documentary.  The concepts still apply to all avid users.

Also, if you like my tips, make sure to check out my site at editingandpost.com

Currently I am working on a documentary that has more than 20 hours of footage.  This may seem like a lot to you and me, but footage ratios can range from 10:1 (footage to program length) to 100:1 or even greater. A reality TV show is going to have far more footage then a sitcom.  The amount of footage you get when working on a movie, short film or feature length, is going to depend on the director and cinematographer among countless other variables.  Point is, your going to have to learn to manage that media.

Lastly, I'd like to mention something I meant to include in the video.  I am putting this before the video so you see it, but you might want to watch the video first and then come back and read the rest.

Those who know me may be surprised that the video is done using fcp instead of avid. The topic is applicable to all editing software.

 Going back and viewing old versions of sequences is key when working on a long term project, especially when working other editors. As always, come up with a system that works for you and your team, but I will describe my own system to give you an idea.  I make a bin/folder for each section of the project.  Within those bins I put all my string outs (if you don't know what a string out is, I'm thinking of doing them on my next post), as well as every sequence I ever do for that section.  I never delete any sequence, and every time I finish a session, I make a new version so that the next time I sit down I start editing that one. Also, I keep my VO string outs separate from my regular string outs. This obviously leads to having a ton of sequences.  Multiply that times the number of people working on the project.  In order to keep track I name the sequences very deliberately.

 InitialofAuthor-typeofsequence-v#.# (example AG-VO SO-v1.0, or AG-intro-v2.3) (VO= voice over, SO = string out)

That way they are organized alphabetically by the person who made them, what the sequence is, and the step along the editorial path.

To clarify the version numbers, I add 1 to the second number if I am taking things out, reordering things, or making minor changes.  I add 1 to the first number if I am adding large chunks in, or making other significant changes.