Start with descriptive names
Name footage so that you can recognize its subject or purpose. A name such as “Kitchen — hands close-up” is more useful during a B-roll search than a camera counter alone. Retain original file identities when organizing library descriptions.
Search and filter
Use ⌘F to focus Search media. Combine a useful search term with a media-type filter when the library contains many files. Switch between available browser presentations to inspect either visual moments or file details.
Search names, notes, and keywords. Ordinary words stay together as one phrase. Use a field prefix to narrow a search:
name:"Camera A" note:interview keyword:"River, wide" type:video
Combine criteria with spaces; every criterion must match, and the selected collection also applies. Supported type values are video, audio, image, still, and animated. Other field prefixes are treated as ordinary text. Keywords match parts of labels: keyword:river also finds “riverbank.”
Quote a phrase when it contains spaces. Use a backslash before a literal quote or colon. Edit criteria in Search media, or choose Clear Filters to remove the current filters. The question-mark link beside the search scope opens this online guide.
Names, notes, and keywords also inform the B-roll assistant’s source matching. Describe what is visibly in a shot rather than attaching broad tags to every clip.
Keep working copies distinct
Proxies and optimized media are derived representations of a source. Manage them through Manage Media so their identity remains attached to the original. A manually renamed, unrelated file is not a valid proxy simply because its dimensions are smaller.
Before archiving, inspect project media status and collect the sources actually needed by the project. Keep a separate backup according to your normal storage process.