In this article and video, Kevin Shaw gives an explanation and free template for structuring the folders for a color grading, finishing, editing or other post production project. This basic but important file hygiene can save you time, save a project, and improve your professionalism and client experience for the end recipient.
Download the template for free and watch or read Kevin’s explanation of how to use it to improve your project management.
Over the years I have come across many folder structures. Here I share mine, along with some time saving tips. It is, of course, designed for color grading and finishing, but it should be good for any post production use.
Watch the video to learn how to get the most out of my folder structure.
Now try it for yourself! Download the Project Folder template .zip file.
Get more grading techniques in Kevin’s live online classes, see his other free downloads, or book a consultation or mentoring session.
How to use the folder template
Each project has its own root folder which contains everything I need to reboot the project, even though some of those assets were created somewhere else. Basically copies and backups are in there, as well as source files.
THIS TIP IS A HUGE TIMESAVER!
I don’t want to think about folder structure, I want it to be automatic. On all my project drives I have a copy of my project template ZIP and this is the file you can download free. The underscore at the beginning of the file name keeps it at the top of the list.
To start a new project I simple double click the zip and rename the project folder.
The folder structure
Inside the main folder there are eight sub folders, but not all folders are used in every job:
Folder 1 Audio: Inside you can see there are further subfolders. I import audio here for the archive, but usually I copy audio files to a separate drive for better performance.
Folder 2 Backups: and very important for archiving or deep storage. It’s also my insurance policy. Inside you can see I make regular project backups and save powergrades. Sometimes at the end I also make a resolve archive .DRA usually with consolidated files.
Folder 3 Sources: I prefer to separate original media from intermediate clips and masters. It makes it easier if I have to supply archive material to companies like Netflix. There are 3 categories under sources
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CAMERA
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TITLES
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VFX
I work color managed, so it makes sense for me to identify and separate different cameras at the ingest stage. The titles folder includes both graphics and subtitles and VFX is separated into To and From folders.
Folder 4 Consolidated: is where I would keep consolidated files or proxies but usually this stays empty. I do have a special use for this folder though. If I am preparing a class and need to share and upload media. I consolidate the content and put it here to save space and time at the upload. My rule is that anything is this folder must exist in its native form somewhere else.
Folder 5 Edit: which in my case is really conforming. In here I keep edit lists of course, all versions so I have a full history. The documents folder contains everything from set notes to delivery specifications and if there is a contract that goes in here as well. The references folder has at least a guide edit quicktime, but sometimes it has jpgs for inspiration. If we have done some pre grade looks – they go in here too.
Folder 6 LUTs: Honestly, I don’t use LUTs much these days and of course when I do they are in my resolve folder. But sometimes clients – mostly DPs will send the LUT they want to start with, and this is my backup folder to hold that. I would also put DCTLs in here.
Folder 7 Renders: That’s anything I export before final approval. Sometimes these will be intermediates that are part of the workflow, but remember -if it’s part of the visial effects pipeline it gets moved into folder 03_SOURCES/ VFX/To VFX. There might also be work in progress approval copies here too.
Folder 8 Exports: I split into stills, for thumbnails and PR and Masters, which is where all the deliverables go. Having them all in one folder makes it so much easier to check them off. At the end of the job I export the Resolve project one last time and put it into the 02_BACKUPS/PROJECTS folder. I check that all the audio is on Folder 01_AUDIO and then I use HEDGE to backup the whole project folder to external drives with checksums.
Its easy to modify my structure to suit your own needs so if you haven’t got something similar on the go, download the zip file – IT MIGHT JUST CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
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