Final Cut Pro files can sometimes become corrupt and utterly useless, much like many of the corporate executives and high-profile politicians across the United States. Ok, let's use another analogy, how about the original Nintendo cartridges, do you remember those? Such as the original Mario Brothers, you'd stick the big square game cartridge in the Nintendo and try as you might you just couldn't get the Nintendo system to recognize the dumb thing. You'd blow it, shake it, pound it, and then wedge the catridge in there until it would finally work.

Unfortunately, no amount of blowing, shaking, pounding, or heavy stimulus package on your Mac will get your file to again open in Final Cut Pro. Fortunately, I have compiled a list of things to look for when you find yourself in a Final Cut Pro pickle because you were a fool and set your auto save to an untimely interval that has caused the loss of much work.

Things to try when you have a corrupt Final Cut Pro project file:

1. Try Copying the .fcp file to another hard drive and opening it up from that location.
2. Make sure the hard drive where your .fcp file is stored, actually has available storage space. This has been a common issue that sometimes goes overlooked because it's too simple of a solution.
3. Right or control click on the .fcp project file, select "Get Info", and make sure the permissions are set so that the file is writable.
4. Make sure you are not trying to open a newer Final Cut Pro project file on an older version of Final Cut Pro. You need the most recent version of Final Cut Pro to match the version your .fcp project file was created in.

You can always attempt to use FCP Rescue. This is a free application for OS X, that performs instant backup, restoration and removal of Apple Final Cut Pro’s preference files that have become damaged when Final Cut Pro crashes or unexpectedly quits. Final Cut Pro Rescue will perform an instant back up, restore, and removal of Apple Final Cut Pro’s preference files. Using this small utility will help you if Final Cut Pro crashes and corrupts its preference files. Also very useful if other editors use your log-in, and you want to be able to go back to your settings afterwards. Very simple interface. One back up per user log-in. Trashing and restore, affects only the currently logged in user.

The back up includes all FCP settings, including:

• User preferences
• Audio/video settings
• System settings
• Window layout settings
• Keyboard set up
• Easy set ups

The AutoSave Vault

In the end it's a good idea to keep your Autosave Vault feature on in your Final Cut Pro preferences. I usually keep mine set at a ten minute interval, so it doesn't interrupt me too much, but it saves frequently enough as to not loose too much time and money on an edit session. Most the time performing the autosave every 10 minutes will suffice, but make sure you choose a time interval that works best for your workflow. If you are cutting news, or deadline driven content that has to be punched out fast, it's always best to make sure your autosave is set for your workflow methods.

Happy cutting! And remember the magical keystroke, COMMAND-S!

Christopher Clark
Solar Monkey Media