After two years of social distancing measures and remote work becoming the norm, most of us find ourselves settling into remote workflows we intend on using more or less for the foreseeable future.
However, remote video editing workflows can be challenging to optimize fully. There are new challenges that have been thrust into prominence, like remote file access and security concerns. There are also old issues that seem to only be exacerbated by working remotely, such as keeping all elements of a project organized and communicating with other stakeholders.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your remote editing workflow and better enable your post-production team to be more productive and creative, we’ve got the tools and tips to help you get there.
Seven ways to improve your remote editing workflow
#1: Embrace the cloud
Likely, you’re already using some sort of cloud-based technology in your workflow, such as file storage. But cloud-based workflow enhancement goes way beyond simple file sharing.
Cloud-based review platforms like Frame.io and Fileshare don’t just help you share files; they help you keep your entire asset library organized so everyone on your team can track which version of the edit is the most current and quickly locate the assets they’re looking for.
They also make it easy for any stakeholders to access the platform and review new edits, make notes, and send them back to the editors without any lengthy email chains.
#2: Go beyond video conferencing
Any solid remote video workflow is dependent on all team members participating in solid communication and collaboration. For most, this means routine check-ins and meetings via video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet.
However, there are tools that allow you to go beyond just chatting and turn your video conferencing into true collaboration sessions. For example, Evercast allows you to not only chat face-to-face but stream any professional workstation (DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, etc.) in full HD while your collaborators make on-screen and text notes.
It takes video conferencing to a whole new level and makes it easier for creative teams to hit that state of creative “flow” that turns a good project into a great one.
#3: Take security seriously
Working remotely can open you up to new security vulnerabilities. For example, if you’re working on sensitive editing projects, you’ll want to make sure all software you’re using to transmit information utilizes high-level security protocols.
At a minimum, it should include end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication to ensure that your information isn’t vulnerable to data breaches.
You should also invest in a good VPN to help add another layer of protection to your online activity. Concealing your IP address through a VPN makes it more difficult for malicious parties to get access to your sensitive data and information.
Create together remotely, in real time
#4: Try to make your workflow cross-platform compatible end-to-end
As we mentioned before, giving everyone on your team access to the digital assets and other information that’s exchanged throughout the editing process is vital to its success. As such, you need as many of your tools to be cross-platform compatible as possible (compatible with mac, pc, and even Linux). This ensures you can work with whoever you want with minimal hiccups integrating them into your workflow.
#5: Upgrade your local network
To get the most out of all your fancy editing and collaboration software, it’s important to ensure that you have a strong and reliable internet connection. While this may seem basic, you’d be surprised by how many editors upgrade their hardware and software, only to find out that their network is choking their ability to effectively use their remote collaboration features.
Hardwire your system to the network for the most reliable connection when possible. When that’s not possible, ensure you’re using an updated router that’s capable of distributing the full bandwidth your internet provider has made available to you.
And speaking of bandwidth, it’s never a bad idea to invest in the highest internet speed your ISP has available. When you’re transferring large video files, you don’t want to be held back by a sluggish connection costing you valuable time.
#6: Invest in good storage solutions
Now that you’re doing all your editing remotely, you’ll need reliable storage to safely hold all your projects and downloads. Not only that, you’ll want to ensure you’re backing all footage up securely, so you don’t lose critical data.
Many editors have an on-site RAID drive that automatically backs up their data to a second local source. You’ll also want to look into secure cloud storage, so in the event that any of your data is lost or damaged in your local storage, you have a cloud backup available so you can keep working without missing a beat (or a client).
#7: Don’t work alone
While the idea of remote editing seems to imply a solo endeavor, it’s important to not forget that great video projects come from great collaboration. It’s important to make sure that you’re staying in touch with your entire team through every step of the process.
Utilizing software like Slack or Trello to organize tasks and Evercast to have productive, engaging meetings can go a long way in not only allowing you to feel more connected to the larger project but also to help stimulate your creativity and spark new ideas.
You’ll also want to take advantage of collaborative features included in many professional editing platforms. These offer tools like remote access that will allow multiple editors to work on the same project file from anywhere in the world.
Now, instead of sending files back and forth for tweaks, each collaborator can simply log into the project directly and make their changes in real-time.
Remote editing shouldn’t feel remote
If you take one thing away from these tips and tricks, it should be that remote editing should not feel like a completely solo endeavor.
You should arm yourself with technology that enables collaboration and makes your segment of the post-production workflow feel “plugged-in” with the project as a whole. The more connected you’re able to be with your stakeholders, the better your projects will be.
