How do you fix film production software errors?

Updates can be helpful but come at the risk of breaking your build, project, or timeline. There might be a feature that could help you on your current project, but it could also introduce a learning curve if the UI or backend of the process changes. I wouldn't update my software until I finished my current project.

Yes,,don't fix it unless broke in middle of project.To many variables.Sometimes updates will take you in whole another direction.If you have time, make it better if you can, be willing to start all over if it crashes.

I was using Avid for almost two decades and everything worked fine except some smaller issues. A few years ago I switched to DaVinci Resolve which really blows my mind because of its capability. To prevent issues I always preferred Mac computers because all the hardware and software work together quite well and you don't have the typical blue screen or freezing problem from windows. Installing the latest updates works always fine with DaVinci and in case something happens I'll always have a backup from my timeline as well as my drives with the footage on it. I even updated DaVinci several times during current projects and there were no issues at all. So I can really recommend DaVinci over premiere pro from my personal point of view.

When an update comes out I wait a bit, usually because I'm in the middle of a project, but eventually smaller subsequent updates come out fixing bugs that are usually part of a new release, unfortunately. Updating software is ultimately a part of digital filmmaking and soon things will become incompatible if you don't. However, sometimes extreme manual work might be necessary in order to make a big jump in versions or from analog to digital, etc.

Here is a general process to help you troubleshoot and resolve common software errors in film production: 1. Identify the Error 2. Check System Requirements 3. Update Software 4. Search for Documentation and Resources 5. Restart the Software and Computer 6. Isolate the Issue 7. Check for Plugin or Third-Party Conflicts 8. Check Hardware and Drivers 9. Reinstall the Software 10. Contact Support 11. Backup and Restore 12. Consult with Peers 13. Consider Alternative Software 14. Document the Error Remember that film production software errors can be complex, and it may take some time to identify and fix them. Patience and persistence are often essential in resolving these issues effectively.

Always keep a backup system. Setup auto-save after every edit, including on your backup system. You can never be too safe when working on time-sensitive material.

This can especially be a problem when working with external hard drives to "link" a project rather than importing footage (can be a practical decision when working remotely). For example, if your preference folder location for proxies (lower resolution copies of footage, easier to work with) is one the computer itself rather than an external folder on a hard drive, it can prevent other post-production artists having access to the proxies as a result.

Don't forget to clear out the cache/media database itself (such as with the Adobe tools). Don't delete your preferences - move them/rename them. If it doesn't solve the problem, put them back.

Use fast external drives and replace them for large scale projects when full. Close Chrome if you're using it; it's power hungry. Work in proxies if you're processing can't handle the data you're editing with. I stay away from 3rd party plug-ins. If you use them, make sure they are ready for any software updates. If the software update is an expansion on a current version, you're safe to update. Lastly, get the computer with the power you need to handle the file types and scale of projects you'll be doing. An NLE like Resolve can be set up to analyze your computer processing and work best for you.

There are some drivers you have to be *gentle* with - nVidia specifically (for example) makes Studio drivers that are on a slower upgrade path - specifically to cater to professional users.

Only use high quality hardware and always make double backups. This is non negotiable. Don't try to save a couple of hundred dollars on hardware as it will cost you a lot of headache and tons of problems in the future. Having enough memory is as important as using fast external SSD drives. I'd recommend using g-technology drives as they've proven themselves really reliable over the years. For a computer I recommend at least the new MacBook pro M1 with at least 32GB of memory. And always use an external SSD drive for your footage to keep the whole system more stable.

Always make sure your proxies folder is located on an external hard drive if you can, rather than on a computer. This way if multiple post artists are working remotely from seperate locations, they can easily relink the downscaled footage. You can often give them access to source footage and files via online cloud sharing (please clear your drive/dropbox of choice of space before starting a new project). Also make sure you regularly create backed up .drp project files, so post artists working remotely have up to date backups without loosing progress if files or projects become lost (.drps can also be shared via cloud sharing).

This can often be necessary if your software was not originally installed correctly in the first place, meaning incorrectly set up file/folder locations which make a program inoperable. Unless you're willing to try and fix this with advance terminal coding, just delete and reinstall the program.

Given how niche this field is, this one is especially helpful. Such a select market of customers use these programs like Cubase/Avid/Davinci, that customer support will pretty much always integrate their suggestions into an update if reported.

Should be much higher on the list. Direct contact when you're out out of your depth. Yes, the companies (in general) may test your patience. Yes, you should have full backups - but customer support at least has the playbook of what to do.

My favorite community? Reddit - which has specialized subreddits such as /r/editors or /r/premiere - targeting those professional users of the tools.