What Is a Proxy Workflow and Why It’s Essential for Video Editing

Editing high-resolution footage, like 4K or 8K, can be a serious challenge, especially if you’re working on a machine that isn’t built to handle massive files. If you’ve ever experienced laggy playback, endless rendering, or even crashes during a project, you’re not alone. These issues can grind your workflow to a halt. That’s where a proxy workflow comes in.

A proxy workflow involves creating smaller, low-resolution versions of your original video files—called proxy files. These lightweight files are linked to the high-resolution originals, allowing you to edit smoothly without sacrificing quality. When you’re ready to export, the software automatically switches back to the full-resolution footage for the final product.

This workflow isn’t just a lifesaver for remote editing—it’s also incredibly helpful when handing off footage to editors via hard drives. By reducing file sizes, it makes transferring and working with footage much faster and more efficient.

How Proxy Files Work in a Proxy Workflow

A proxy file is essentially a smaller, compressed version of your original footage. It’s designed to reduce the strain on your editing software and computer while maintaining enough quality for you to make accurate edits.

Here’s how a proxy workflow works in practice:

• When footage is imported into Premiere Pro, Media Encoder automatically generates proxy files based on preset settings.

• These proxy files are linked to the original high-resolution footage.

• You edit using the proxies, which ensures smooth playback and fast rendering.

• Once the editing is complete, proxies are turned off, and the export is done using the full-resolution files.

This seamless process allows editors to focus on creativity rather than dealing with technical frustrations.

Why a Proxy Workflow Is a Game-Changer for Remote Editing

Remote editing has become increasingly common, and a proxy workflow makes it not only possible but efficient.

We use tools like Parsec to collaborate remotely, which lets editors connect to a central workstation from anywhere. However, working with massive 4K or 8K files over a remote connection can be extremely slow and frustrating. Proxies solve this problem by significantly reducing file sizes without compromising the quality of the final product.

For example, a 500GB project can be reduced to just 25GB with proxies. This makes it much easier to transfer files, whether you’re working remotely or handing off footage to an editor on a hard drive.

Our Proxy Workflow Settings in Premiere Pro

If you’re ready to give a proxy workflow a try, here’s how we set it up in Adobe Premiere Pro:

• Action: Create Proxies

• Frame Size: Half (perfect for 4K footage)

• Preset: H264 Quicktime Proxy (the best balance of quality and performance we’ve found)

• Location: Same as Project (for faster processing)

• Watermark: Added to proxies so editors can easily identify which files they’re working with

These settings have been fine-tuned to make the process as smooth as possible for our team.

The Benefits of a Proxy Workflow for All Video Editing Projects

A proxy workflow isn’t just for remote editing. It’s a game-changer for any video production project, whether you’re working on a high-powered editing workstation or a standard laptop.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Faster Editing: No more laggy playback or slow rendering times.

• Improved Collaboration: Smaller file sizes make transferring footage between team members quick and easy.

• Efficiency on Any Machine: Even less powerful computers can handle proxy files with ease.

• Seamless Export: Proxies are automatically swapped for full-resolution files during export, ensuring the highest quality final product.

How a Proxy Workflow Saves Time and Reduces Stress

Since adopting a proxy workflow, we’ve transformed the way we handle video production. It’s made collaboration easier, saved us hours of production time, and eliminated the frustrations of working with high-resolution footage.

Whether you’re editing remotely, collaborating with a team, or simply trying to streamline your process, proxies are an essential tool. They allow you to focus on what matters most—creating great content—without being bogged down by technical issues.

Ready to Simplify Your Video Editing Process?

If you’re struggling with large files, slow rendering, or remote collaboration, a proxy workflow might be the solution you’ve been looking for. By working with smaller, more manageable proxy files, you can save time, reduce stress, and produce high-quality videos more efficiently.

Start using a proxy workflow today and see the difference it can make in your projects.