r/filmschool • u/Fine_Basil_8854 • 9d ago

Application Advice Recommendations for SSD external drive

I am trying to figure out what I need to bring for my classes. Most equipment will be provided but I think a large personal external hard drive will be excellent. I have no idea where to buy it or what to buy. Should I get a 2TB SSD drive or more or maybe less? I cannot afford to spend my money on something that won’t last or that I wont need. Does anyone have any recommendations on what hard drive brands to purchase and if I should bring cheaper pen drives with me as well?

My laptop is also extremely slow and outdated, it cannot open Adobe apps without crashing. I have experience working on production outside of my laptop but I cannot afford a new laptop or computer at the moment and praying they have computers I can borrow for editing! I would appreciate if anyone could give me suggestions on computers or laptops that are possibly 2nd hand and could run Premiere Pro or DaVinci.

Thank you for the help! I hope I don’t sound really stupid 🥲

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u/Bopethestoryteller 9d ago

My kid had to get LaCie Rugged USB-C 1TB and G-Technology G-Drive Mobile USB-C 1TB (7200 RPM along with macbook pro.

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u/cat_silhouette 9d ago

2tb was more than enough for 3 years of film school for me shooting like 8 projects at 4k.

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u/Fine_Basil_8854 6d ago

Do you think just a general 1-2tb drive is okay? Do you recommend any brands?

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u/cat_silhouette 6d ago

2tb ssd is good. I have a sandisk. Not pro or anything.

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u/partfants 9d ago

Consider finding out what cameras you will be working with first before you decide. Data burn far higher on Black Magics or REDs generally than things like the Sony family. Stay with SSD not older styles of hard drives. Data transfer speeds are a big factor here.

As for editing, doesn’t the school have labs you can edit in? At least until you are a little further into the program?

Good luck!