My Documentary is crashing and burning!

[starvingartist007]

My Independent documentary is now TWO YEARS in the editing bay! I'm not blaming Adobe entirely, but with all the updates and bugs and corrupt files and tons of drives plugged in, it's never ending! My Mac OS is updated, then 2022. becomes 2023 and must reload, now 2024 is winding down and MORE changes, bugs and workflows to change, adapt to, etc. I've worked with 4-editors, and a new problem pops up weekly. Has anyone else in here editing on 3/4, Betacam, mini-digital, DVC-pro and now chips? I have... and always mastered the craft, except for these past two years... and now Ai into play. Can anyone suggest a way to re organize my files (10tb) into photos, b-roll, archives, interviews etc without losing ones mind? It's probably too late anyway. 

[PaulMurphy · Accepted solution]

I’ve been editing long-form documentaries with Premiere for over 15 years, including back in the MiniDV days.

It sounds like you’re asking about media organization—are you referring to the hard drive setup or how things are structured in your project?

If you're not already using Productions, it’s a great way to manage large projects: Productions Guide.

Also, I wouldn't recommend updating Premiere mid-project unless it's absolutely necessary. I usually keep everyone on the same version throughout.

[starvingartist007]

Thanks Paul... I'll check out the productions guide as this film has gone beyond 120-minutes. My Premiere was updated by a technition from Adobe who was trying to solve another 'crash' with all the archive overload. I've bought the book on 2024 Premiere for a refresher course, but online tutorials are usually easier to follow-- if they are using the same version. Used to edit my own TV stories on FCP and was much faster, but then x came out. 

[MarekMularczyk]

Are you talking about reorganising your photos/videos in the Project panel or on your hard drive?

[R Neil Haugen]

I'm totally with Paul on this one. Creating a Productions would handle the massive asset base much better.

Search for their Productions guide, and also their Long Form guide. Best documents Adobe has ever published for Premiere.