Harnessing the Power of Proxies in Video Editing: An In-Depth Guide

The world of wedding video editing grapples with large files and high-resolution footage. To streamline the editing process and keep it flowing smoothly, video editing professionals resort to proxies – a way that can drastically reduce lag and boost productivity. This article will break down the what, why, and how of using proxies in video editing.

What are Proxies in Video Editing?

Proxies in the context of video editing are low-bitrate (!) and low-resolution (not always) versions of your original high-bitrate and high-resolution video footage. They are easier to work with due to their smaller size, allowing smoother editing, especially on less powerful systems. After the editing process is complete, the proxies are replaced with the original high-resolution files for final export.

Why Use Proxies in Video Editing?

Proxies are a godsend for video editors dealing with 4K, 8K, or higher resolution footage, particularly on systems that lack high-end specifications. They can significantly cut down the time spent on playback, buffering and rendering, speeding up your workflow. Proxies also allow for remote editing, as they can be easily transferred over the internet, unlocking perk of wedding video editing outsourcing!

Creating Proxies: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of creating proxies varies slightly depending on the editing software you’re using, but the general steps remain the same.

Step 1: Import your original high-resolution video files into your editing software.

Step 2: Select the footage for which you want to create proxies. This can be done by right-clicking on the clip in the bin or the project panel.

Step 3: Choose the ‘Create Proxies’ option.

Step 4: Select your desired proxy resolution and format. Remember, lower resolutions will result in smaller file sizes and smoother editing but reduced quality in the preview window.

Step 5: Choose where you want to store your proxy files. A separate dedicated folder is often a good choice.

Step 6: Click ‘OK’ or ‘Create’ to begin the proxy creation process. Depending on the number and length of clips, this can take some time.

Read how to toggle the auto-creation of proxies on ingestion of your footage in Adobe Premier Pro here.

Editing with Proxies

After creating proxies, the next step is to enable them in your editing workspace. Look for the ‘Toggle Proxies’ button in your program monitor. If it’s not there, you can add it from the button editor. When this button is blue, you’re editing with proxies. When it’s gray, you’re editing with the original high-resolution files.

Switching Back to the Original Footage

Once your edit is complete, it’s time to switch back to the original footage for color grading, final rendering and export. Simply hit the ‘Toggle Proxies’ button to turn it off. Your software will now reference the original high-resolution files for any final renders or exports.

Conclusion

Proxies are a powerful tool in the realm of video editing, helping you navigate the challenges of large file sizes and high-resolution footage. By utilizing proxies, you can speed up your workflow, reduce stress on your system, and even enable remote editing capabilities aka video editing outsourcing. Remember, the time you invest in creating proxies will be gained back manifold during the editing process, making it a worthwhile step in your video editing routine.