Setting up proxy (offline) workflow for large camera files

Sometimes we have to use a proxy editing workflow to handle the massive file sizes and bandwidth required by our high end camera files. A Proxy File is a compressed version of the original. When editing is finished we revert to the original camera files for colour grading and mastering.



Enabling Proxy Workflow on a Premiere Pro project with assets already imported.

doco proxy workflows.mov

Follow this video guide or the instructions below

If your project is all setup and you have everything imported select the clips to be processed…

… and use these settings. New proxy files will be located in your camera rushes folder.

5. Now you need to add buttons on the interface so you can toggle proxies on and off.

Enabling Proxy Workflow on a new Premiere Pro project.

Premier Pro Working With Proxy Files x.mov

Follow this video guide or the instructions below

1. Here is an example film project folder. You need to create a folder for storing proxy files.

2. With you project open, to setup proxy workflow goto File>Project Settings> Ingest

3. Enable Ingest, and use the 720P preset in the image below

4. In Proxy Destination choose the Proxies folder you setup in step 1.

5. Now you need to add buttons on the interface so you can toggle proxies on and off.

Now when you add files to your project several things will happen.


I. The files will show in the Project Browser

2. Adobe Media Encoder will start up and the files will be processed and stored in your Proxy folder.

Additional Points


  1. Once you have finished transcoding you can remove your hard drive and keep it somewhere safe.

  2. With your hard drive disconnected you will get error messages when PP tries to find the camera files. Just cancel these to ignore them.

  3. When you are ready to export for the colour grade just toggle proxies off to link to the original camera files.