Merge Meta-Data

I'm looking for a solution to meta-data collaboration. I have an assistant editor setting up new keywords, tagging video clips, renaming, etc. in an event on a separate hard drive. He started out with the identical event that I have and then made changes. I have the original event in my library and want to bring all of his meta-data over to my clips. I've tried merging events, but I get the spinning ball that won't quit. I've tried copying the clips to the event, but it makes doubles of my clips. I've tried dragging one event on top of the other, (merging I suppose) and I get the spinning ball.

Is it possible? Is there another solution? Any ideas?

Thanks,
ttapp

Have your assistant export an Event XML and open that XML on your system.

Of course both your Libraries must point to exactly the same original media, otherwise there is no use in collaborating.

- Ronny

XML would do it, plus it makes a new Event, so you'll have both versions of the Event side by side.

Thanks Ronny and BenB for your quick replies. So I did the xml export and import back into my library and all the media is connected to same external drive location. It does the same thing as opening the library and moving/copying the event from one library to the other one. Is there a way to keep from having tons of events that are similar, especially if we go back in forth a bunch? Do you guys know of any tutorials that go into different collaboration workflows? I have the ripple trainings, lynda.com and have watched and read everything that I can. Maybe a good consultant to help setup a good system?

Thanks,
ttapp

Why are you each adding lots of metadata at the same time? I don't understand that part.

Collaboration requires strict organization on different levels.

1. Version management.

Whenever you change something in the project and you want to hand the changes over to a different editor via a Transfer Library or via XML (those are the two ways to exchange project data) you add a sequential number or a date stamp to the updated project. This way you always know what the latest version is. Once the other editor receives the updated Library or XML he can delete the old one. This way every editor always works on the latest version.

2. Workflow management.

As Ben says it is counter-productive to have multiple editors logging and organizing clips of the same production at the same time. You have to agree from the start who will do which part of the work. It's absolutely senseless to have two different people organizing and keywording the same Library, just like it doesn't make sense to have two different people editing the same clips on the timeline at the same time.

In a larger collaborative workflow like ours everyone has very specific tasks and everything is carefully organized: an assistant editor logs and tags the media for a production or an episode according to very strict naming conventions, then the organized Library (for standalone productions) or Event (for episodic work) is sent to two or more editors over the SAN. Each editor knows exactly which part of the project they need to work on. When their work is done their Projects are assembled and fine-tuned by the line editor who creates the final edit supervised by the producer.

But even if you only work with two editors on the same production, a strict workflow management is key for a good collaboration.

Training series only touch the basics of editing. Collaborative workflow management is something you need to learn by trial and error. Anyone can tell you how they organize their work, but that does not mean this will fit in your specific way of working or in your type of productions. Everyone has his own system that best fits his or her workflow.

- Ronny

Thanks Ronny and BenB again for quick responses. Version management is the way to go for us. I have been passing the the event xml back and forth and it has been working great. Deleting the old version of the event is also what we are going to do. BenB - We are not both adding mete data at the same time, I should've clarified. I have to jump in to start editing and sometimes I add more keywords, but it's rare. Thanks to you guys I got it all figured out.


Thanks,
ttapp

"and sometimes I add more keywords"

Adding keywords is adding metadata.

Glad you got it working.