Paul Zadie

This second installment of the edit faster and more efficiently series is an extension of part 1 File Organization.

Now that you have an organization system that works, it’s time to move to the next step in the quest for video editing speed and efficiency – keeping bins organized.

Sloppy bins are just as much of a problem, and just as common as a messy file system. Few things waste time like fumbling around and searching for something that you know is there, but just can’t locate. This isn’t just a problem with novice editors. I have seen some very talented pros that are extremely messy. Artists, by our very nature, are a messy bunch. We put so many of our resources into being creative that we don’t think about the tedious tasks that we know we should handle regularly.

Organizing your bins is actually more important than organizing files when it comes to directly affecting your editing efficiency. While keeping your file system organized can save you time by making things easy to find or transport, keeping all of your assets in order in your working environment (i.e. bins) will save even more time because this is where the “hands-on” files that you use throughout your edit reside. It can be a serious pain to go scrolling through dozens or hundreds of bin items looking for a particular video clip, sound file, or a graphic. Even a 30 second spot can sometimes end up having more elements than you want to scroll through to find something.

Like file organization, bin organization should be made a habit. It should also stay consistent across projects for the most part. I say for the most part because I like to organize my bins differently depending on the type of edit I’m working on. Every project is different, but your method should make sense. For example, you probably want to organize a narrative or scripted project by scene number. A multi-camera shoot by camera number. Documentary by reel number, or; day, location, interviews, b-roll, whatever makes sense for that project. Just organize it so that your media is easy to find. Sequences, graphics, photos, music, sound effects, and any other elements should be filed away nicely too.

Just like organizing files, always keep your bins organized logically so that any other editor or assistant can work on the project without getting a headache. Facilities each have a system of their own. It’s usually very easy to find your way around a project at a facility because they tend to have consistently used procedures for everything. If you find yourself freelancing at a company that doesn’t have strict procedures, it is a good idea to leave them with a tidy project. You’ll save yourself the off-the-clock phone calls when they are trying to make sense of your work.

You don’t have to have your project and bins organized exactly the way a facility does. But if your project is destined to end up at a facility for an online, it’s a good idea to find out what the requirements are before you begin your edit. Or before you deliver to them at the least. Don’t deliver a sloppy project, or you will surely drive another editor nuts.

If you are a solo operation, and your edits never go to a facility or another editor, then maybe you shouldn’t worry about the hassle of organizing your work. Wrong! Keep in mind, this is intended to make you more efficient and give you more time to be creative.