STEP 1 What Are Your Needs? • WORKFLOWS: Are you moving files to or from one or many sources? Are you transferring files to or from people you partner with closely, or are you working in a more open process? Do the videos and other files need to be available online for multiple users at once? How tech savvy are your partners, and what tools are they already familiar with? • SECURITY: Do you need to keep the content of media files away from prying eyes? Do you need to maintain personal anonymity on one or both sides of the transfer? Do you need to protect the anonymity of individuals who appear in the video? • CONNECTIVITY: Does everyone you’re working with have reliable access to strong Internet or mobile networks? Is there a need to access anonymous or encrypted channels, and, if so, is everyone in your workflow aware of how to do so? Does the transferring need to happen in the field or can you take it back to your home or office? • FILE SIZE: Are the files being transferred short videos shot on cellphones, or are they longer videos coming from high-quality cameras? Are you transferring one or a few pieces of media from each source, or are you moving a large stockpile of media from one place to another? KEY DECISION POINT Online Or Offline Transfer? Despite the fact that many of us are constantly connected online, it is often the case that transferring files offline is the best choice. Documenters in some locales will be dealing with poor Internet connectivity, and if it is necessary to use encrypted and/or anonymous channels, the already time-consuming process of moving big files can slow to a crawl, even if you are not burdened by low bandwidth. The complexity of keeping video files anonymous and encrypted may mean that documenters and their partners feel safer physically handing over files. In these cases, it makes more sense to use offline storage like flash drives, external hard drives, and SD cards, in combination with encryption and good operational security, to move files from one place to another. 167 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: TECH TOOLS V 1.0 FILMING As with any task, you must assess your needs before choosing the right tools for the job. Here are four factors to think through at the outset: