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06
Feb 2026
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Post Production
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How to Organize Your Short Documentary Footage

When working on a short documentary, having a clean and organized workflow is essential. A solid folder structure saves time, prevents mistakes, and keeps every asset exactly where it should be. In this article, I’ll show you how to create a professional project structure using Post Haste, a free application that makes project setup incredibly easy.

Installing Post Haste

Post Haste is a small, free program that create folder structure for our projects, to download visiting: www.digitalrebellion.com/posthaste

Download the version for your operating system, install it, and open the app. From the main screen, click “New Template” to create the folder structure for your documentary. Let’s name this template: “Short Documentary”.

Building the folder structure

Click the + icon to add new folders.

Interviews

  1. 01 Interview Cam A Contains footage recorded with your main camera.
  2. 02 Interview Cam B For footage captured with your secondary camera.
  3. 03 Audio Store all audio files recorded with external microphones or audio recorders. If you use a separate audio source, this folder is essential.

B‑roll

  1. 04 B-roll Wide – Wide shots
  2. 05 B-roll Medium – Medium shots
  3. 06 B-roll Close – Close-ups

Additional assets

  1. 07 Music – All music tracks used in the project
  2. 08 Graphics – Logos, titles, motion graphics, and other visual elements

These are the folders you’ll import directly into your editing software. The numbering helps maintain a clear and logical order.

Supporting folders (equally important!)

These folders won’t go into your timeline, but they’re crucial for a professional workflow.

Backups and versions

  • Daily XML Save XML backups here at the end of each editing session. Tip: keep one copy on an external drive and another in the cloud.
  • Edit Drafts All work‑in‑progress edits to send to clients for review.

DaVinci Resolve workflow

If you’re doing color grading in Resolve, add:

  • To Resolve XML files exported from Final Cut or Premiere.
  • From Resolve XML files exported from Resolve to bring the project back into your editing software.

If you work exclusively in Resolve, you can skip these.

Final versions

  • Grading Drafts Graded versions to share with clients before the final export.
  • Final Export Store your master file here (e.g., ProRes 422 or 4444) and any additional versions required.

Useful extras

  • Subtitles Especially helpful if you’re working in multiple languages.
  • Legal Release forms, location permits, contracts, and any documents to share with producers or clients.

Creating your project

Return to the Post Haste home screen and click “New Project”. Fill in the fields: client name, project date, project title. Select the “Short Documentary” template, choose a destination (an external drive is recommended), and click “Create”.

Within seconds, you’ll have a perfectly organized folder structure ready for efficient and stress‑free editing.