Remote and hybrid teams have become the norm in video editing. There are real advantages to being able to have teams working remotely. You have access to talent worldwide, video production companies can save on overhead, and production and postproduction teams can share video and audio files seamlessly. Production time can be compressed as team members can work on different aspects of the same project simultaneously. But there are also pitfalls to avoid: communication can break down, and missed deadlines and deliverables can stall a project – costing time and money. With production and postproduction team members all over the globe, the process can evolve into disorder without effective video media management software.
The key to remote collaboration is powerful media management software. Team members need to be able to organize, share and upload files, edit, review, and approve from wherever they are located.
Tips and Tricks to Mastering Remote Video Editing
When a team is successful with remote video editing, they are not relying on being on-prem to share audio and video files, review and approve, manage the project, and collaborate. Many remote video management tools have addressed the challenges.
- The first thing to know is the capability of the remote video editing software and the tools that the creative team is using. Cloud-based platforms are designed from the ground up to support remote video editing successfully. Don’t try and replicate an on-prem process. Get to know how the software facilitates remote editing.
- Invest in your internet connection. You will want the highest speed and best quality connection that you can get in your area. If you have a lot of people sharing the same connection, consider a direct connection by plugging directly into the router. While cloud-based systems are designed with the variability of connection quality in mind, the relatively small investment will make a noticeable difference.
- Set up your workspace to allow you to work comfortably. Ergonomics and organization are essential. Don’t forget about lighting and glare. Minimize distractions. You know what works best for you and your process.
- Don’t take shortcuts on security. Keep your system updated, use authentication, and perhaps consider using a VPN.
- Choose a supported SaaS video platform with industry expertise and a commitment to supporting the software. When you have team members working remotely, having a designated provider managing and supporting your video management software platform will keep your team productive and save time.
- Take the time to plan the organization of files and folders. It’s easier to find and share the audio and video files you need with good folder and file planning. Your team members need to have access to the latest version of the files. They need to be able to readily search and retrieve assets for the work that they are doing. And do not move or rename files. Good file and folder hygiene will make collaboration easier. Media Asset Management (MAM) is essential.
- Take the time to understand the collaborative features of the platform you are using. Some tools allow multiple editors to access the same project file. Your MAM will likely include built-in features for review, approval, and adding notes. Make sure to use built-in features. It saves time and reduces errors when matching feedback, notes, and approvals from email threads.
- Don’t forget the importance of teamwork. Regular communication and connection are the lifeblood of a creative team. Communicate frequently. While your video editing platform should have collaboration tools built in, don’t forget about other ways to connect. Regular “stand-up” meetings, video conferencing, and messaging platforms keep communication flowing. Always keep team members up to date on delays and any changes to timelines.
- Remote editing is most often done with proxies. Proxy versions are duplicate transcoded lower-resolution files that you can use for editing and are often created on ingest. These proxies are linked to the full-resolution versions. With lighter-weight files, you can edit without the performance issues of high-res files. After editing has been completed, projects can be conformed with the high-resolution file.
- Understand your workflow and automate repetitive tasks, often scheduling during downtime.
Remote editing is here to stay. With the right tools and setup, your creative team can be as successful with remote editing as they were on-prem.
Learn How Your Creative Teams Can Benefit from Acorn Cloud
Acorn Cloud is a cloud-based media workflow and management platform for creative team collaboration.
Acorn Cloud has been designed from the ground up to help creative teams thrive working remotely. Acorn Cloud was designed by CHESA, experts in systems integration for video production. We have pulled together the best components and tools in a cloud-based solution. Our SaaS system is a fully supported turnkey managed solution, so your creative teams can quickly get to what they do best, creating high-quality videos.
To find out if Acorn Cloud is right for your team, contact us to book an online demo.