My Golden Rule for building a project structure is to Keep It Simple. Make bin names obvious, keep “garbage” out of the way of working material, name sequences according to some logic of progression. Every editor has their own way of setting up a project and they will strangle you if you go in and start changing things, but if you are just starting out, now is a good time to develop good habits.

Video Demo: FCP project setup

The first folder has a space before the name so that it sorts on top. The last folder is named to sort on the bottom. Everything else in between should represent only the folders you will need to access the material for your edit. My rules for bin structure are:

At the end of the day, the work-in-progress sequence folder, “_Edits” will ONLY have works-in-progress that are being used and in consideration for screening. Anything else goes in the “zzzNG” folder. No exceptions!

• NEVER use the word “Final” or “Master” if the sequence is NOT final or a master. Never, never, never.
• If you need to make folders of “Music”, “Sound Effects”, and “Voiceover”, nest them in a master folder called “Audio” to reduce clutter.
• Any sequences created or sound or color correction preparation should go in its own folder. Since they are a subset of Edits, I suggest putting them there.
• Anything that you receive as a render from AfterEffects or whatever should go in the “Renders” folder. This should correspond to another Finder level folder called “Renders” that you would create as part of setting up an AfterEffects project.