For creators · Updated 14 Nov 2026

How to back up video footage

Short answer

Use the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of important footage, on two kinds of storage, with one copy off-site. Back up raw clips and finished videos, name folders clearly and test a restore occasionally. Drives fail without warning, and lost footage cannot be re-filmed.

What is the 3-2-1 rule?

Three copies in total, on at least two types of storage such as an internal drive and an external drive, with one copy somewhere else, such as cloud storage.

What should you back up?

Raw footage
Finished videos
Project files and assets
Licence and contract files

How do you keep it simple?

Back up at the end of each filming day and each project. Keep a clean folder structure, see how to organise video files, and keep the skill zips and install files you bought, such as Layers, in the same archive.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I back up?

After each filming session and each finished project is a good rule.

Is cloud storage enough?

It helps as the off-site copy, but keep a local copy too.

Should I back up renders?

Yes, finished videos are hard to rebuild exactly.

How do I test a backup?

Open a few files from the backup occasionally to be sure they play.

Skills mentioned on this page

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