Protecting footage before it reaches the office.
WHY IT IS URGENT
Footage exists in one place until copied, and that is when it is lost.
WHAT CAUSES LOSS
Cards corrupting Cards lost or stolen Equipment damaged Accidental formatting
WHAT TO DO
Copy everything as soon as practical, to two separate destinations.
WHAT TWO DESTINATIONS MEANS
Two physical devices, not two folders.
WHAT TO CARRY
A laptop or portable backup device At least two drives More cards than needed
WHY MORE CARDS
So a full card can be set aside rather than reused.
WHAT TO NEVER DO ON LOCATION
Format a card before its contents are confirmed copied Delete individual files on the camera Reuse a card holding unbacked footage
WHAT TO VERIFY
That copied files open, not merely that the copy finished.
WHAT LABELLING TO APPLY
Cards marked as shot or empty, physically.
WHY
It prevents the single most costly mistake.
WHAT TO DO WITH CARDS AFTER COPYING
Keep them until the project is delivered, if capacity allows.
WHAT TO PROTECT AGAINST
Carrying both backups in the same bag.
WHY
One theft then takes everything.
WHAT TO DO ON ARRIVING BACK
Copy to permanent storage, immediately, before rest.
