Ideal Avid Workflow?

[Jamie Metzger]

Would any experienced DIT's mind explaining how they handle transcodes for AVID so that the editor doesn't call them with issues?

Do the different versions of Avid make a difference in the folder structure that I setup when transcoding? For Example:
I make a Folder called "DNxHD36" and inside of that, Redcine-x makes an "AAF" and "MXF" folder, along with one ALE file.

Also, in Redcine-x, Is it best to "Output with clip name to Selected Folder, or Clip Folder"?

I've been told by a few editors that they way I organized the files was perfect, but it created issues on their end....

Please discuss.

Jamie

[MichaelP]

Depends on who wants to do what where, in my opinion. I create one master folder for each batch processed. What constitutes a "batch" is based on how I organize the dailies coming in from set. That may vary depending on what medium is being used to record to.

But in the end, each batch folder has exactly what you mentioned - a folder of AAF, folder of MXF and an ALE file. That top folder name and ALE filename is the name of that batch process. For example, I will do date_medium_xxx where xxx is the number of the batch for that day. Same goes for audio when working double system.

At this point, it is up to who wants to do the next step. I move this drive over to the editing system if transcode elsewhere and copy the contents of the MXF folder to the Avid MediaFiles folder on the editing system. You can rename the folders inside the MXF folder (which has a "1" by default) if you want to organize farther. So I start at 10-date leaving the Media Composer 10 folders to do its own thing for render files, etc. I then create a bin with the same name as the batch folder/ALE and drag and drop all the AAF files into it. They automatically link to the media. I then highlight all of them, and merge the ALE into them to get all the extra metadata created by REDCINE X.

Once that is done, I do an AutoSeqeunce of the clips which creates a virtual reel where the record side timecode matched the source and archive that. I AutoSync my audio, and 1/4 frame resync as needed for perfect sync.

Then organization is based on the preference of the editor.

Michael