Final Cut, Missing Clips

This has happened to me before.  If you have them backed up, try replacing them to where those original files were stored.  If you don't have a back up try rendering the preview, sometimes it can pull the clips back in, i know it sounds weird but i've had the same problem.  If that doesn't work try pulling up the Render Cache's or check your Autosave Vault and reload to the last point you can remember seeing the clips in your timeline.  Also the last thing I can really think of is to try and search your HD for the missing files.  If you open Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility and select the HD that you want, and click REPAIR or FIRST AID, then VERIFY/Repair Disk Permissions.

If none of these work try to hit up the apple forums, those can be very very helpful!

Best of luck dude...we've all been there!

Also, if not backed up, you could re-import the tapes, assuming thats how you shot, and re-cut the shots where you did before, and just replace your old shots.  If you shoot tape, Logging organization can help A TON, because you can go to the exact time code of a lost shot if you need a back up.  You may and probably will have to re-trim in FCP, but its better then starting from dirt.

I went back and tried to render but it pulled more out, haha. Turns out that although a bunch of the clips say "media offline" in the timeline, a bunch of them are still there, somehow.

It also wouldn't let me export it in any way besides a high quality broadband connection quicktime. it's beat, but it works. I'm not really too worried, I wish it looked better but it's going to be online anyways. there's two point that show the media offline screen, which I could have edited out when I put in titles (on imovie ahha).. but i'm done.

One question though, does the repair disk utility ever wipe or destroy files? I'm worried about running that, because the video file are not super high on the list of important things on that external....

needless to say I've learned from it.

thanks for the responses +karma

It wont erase anything!  So don't worry there.

Also What version of Final Cut are you using?  Did you upgrade Final Cut before you started editing this video?  Or have you been using the same one for awhile?  Try updating your computer as well.  Sometimes if a update comes out, and FCP and Quicktime are having compatibility problems an update will fix it.

Click the Apple in the upper left hand corner, and click Software Update!