A fast video editing workflow is a combination of efficient hardware, organised file management and streamlined editing techniques that reduce unnecessary waiting time throughout post-production. Whether editing interviews, documentaries, promotional videos or social media content, an efficient video editing workflow helps projects stay on schedule while maintaining quality.
What is a fast video editing workflow?
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Full fibre connected video editing suite speed test in progress
Why fast video editing matters
Being an efficient video editor with refined craft skills is highly valued throughout the post-production industry. Some post-production projects will comprise vast amounts of filmed footage with very high shooting ratios. This shooting ratio could exceed 40:1 or even 100:1, i.e., one hundred hours of filmed footage for one hour of edited programme. All this filmed footage needs to be reduced to its essential essence whilst delivering the most relevant or engaging story.
For most professional post-production edits, all footage needs to be assessed and selected in some way. This might mean listening to all the audio, watching the footage, or spooling through to find the best cutaways. The selection of sounds and visuals then needs to be edited together, adjusted, rearranged, and added to until the final edit begins to take shape. If you are working with or for a client, they may want input on the edit decisions made. Additional creative decisions constantly evolve throughout this editing process.
The faster you can complete all these editing processes, the more time you may have for the ‘polishing’ (making it look and sound better) of the edit in the later stages.
Fast editing a professional skill
With the continued drive for cost-saving and budget management, fast editing is also a selling point for some editors. It doesn’t mean it’s always a good thing, far from it. But in reality, this is what some clients will either need or demand for some projects.
Being able to edit responsively to client requests can help the client approve those edits faster and enable more rapid revisions.
Faster revisions mean faster client approvals and enable the edit or project to be signed off and delivered.
Fast workflows are especially important with time-pressured projects. This could be a television programme with a scheduled transmission time or a social media campaign targeted around a time-sensitive event.
Fast editing needs reliable systems
To ensure fast editing remains possible, robust, reliable systems and workflows need to be in place. These related post-production systems require some project management to ensure they are regularly updated and remain supported and suitable for fast editing workflows.
Equipping your post-production workstation with the right equipment will help enable a fast editing workflow. Some of the things you might like to consider include:
Optimising storage performance
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple hard drives into a single storage system. Depending on the RAID level, it can improve data protection, increase storage capacity or enhance performance. For professional video editing, RAID storage helps manage large media files while reducing the risk of data loss.
Solid State Drives (SSDs) provide significantly faster read and write speeds than traditional hard disk drives. They also contain no moving parts, making them quieter, more reliable and better suited to professional video editing.
Thunderbolt connectivity provides very high bandwidth between your computer and external storage, helping editors work smoothly with large, high-resolution camera files.
Backups: By always keeping all your related assets backed up on a separate drive, you protect yourself and the client’s project from hardware failure. Ensure you have a consistent backup workflow in place that is adhered to, so you never lose any media.
Fast internet connections
Uploading review copies, downloading camera media and collaborating remotely all benefit from a reliable high-speed internet connection. Faster upload speeds reduce client waiting times and help projects move through the review process more efficiently.
Powerful editing workstations
Importing and transcoding camera media, along with editing and rendering effects, requires significant computational power. When building a professional editing workstation, consider the processor (CPU), graphics processor (GPU), memory (RAM) and storage. An SSD is ideal for applications and active projects, while additional high-speed storage provides space for larger media libraries.
Editing software
I edit using Avid Media Composer because it provides a stable and efficient workflow for professional broadcast, documentary and corporate productions. Although many modern codecs can now be edited natively, I usually transcode camera media before editing. This creates a consistent, reliable workflow that performs well on long-form productions and simplifies project management.
Data protection
Ensuring current projects are delivered on time means ensuring all your media assets are fully protected. Things that can help with this include:
RAID:
In my case, I back up my Mac (with my Avid editing projects) onto my RAID 5 drives. My work-in-progress media is also stored on my Promise Pegasus 12TB RAID 5 drives. My three Promise Pegasus RAID 5 drives are kept in a metal server cabinet to protect them from vibration and the elements, such as water and dust.
Cloning:
To protect against a RAID 5 drive failure, I clone each RAID 5 array onto a separate RAID. In addition, all of my archive projects are stored on a separate RAID 5 array and backed up to a separate hard drive. I also keep an SSD clone of my computer’s SSD.
After each filming gig, I diligently copy my camera files onto my RAID 5 drives. Once the files are fully copied, I run Carbon Copy Cloner to back up my RAID 5 to another backup drive.
Off-site backup:
To meet client requirements, ISO standards, and media protection insurance policies, you may be required to keep a copy of your media assets off-site at a geographically different location. This protects your media assets from hardware failure, localised issues such as water ingress, and equipment theft. An off-site backup may mean moving copies of physical hard drives, connecting via Network Attached Storage (NAS) or using a cloud-based service like AWS.
UPS:
My editing workstation and all my hard drives get their power supply via an APC-smoothed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit. This protects my entire workstation and connected equipment in the event of a mains supply spike or sudden mains failure. Even if I lose power, my UPS, using its internal battery, will provide enough power for me to continue working before I need to shut down. This workflow also enables me to safely save my latest Avid edits and project information.
Planning for growth
Video production continues to evolve rapidly, with camera resolutions, frame rates and codecs placing increasing demands on storage and processing power. Designing an editing workflow that can be upgraded over time helps ensure future projects remain efficient.
Ergonomic video editing workstation
In addition to all the technological considerations, the workstation should be properly set up to ensure the editor is fully supported for video editing. The desk height and monitoring screens need to be at the right height for the intended editor. Ideally, there will be sufficient desktop real estate across one or more suitable screens to enable an efficient, fast editing workflow. A fully adjustable ergonomic workstation chair is essential. Consider the lighting environment around the workstation to help reduce fatigue. Also, consider the sound environment; a video editing workstation needs a quiet location.
Fast turnaround
An efficient video editing workflow is about much more than powerful hardware. Careful project organisation, reliable storage, professional editing software and robust backup systems all contribute to faster turnaround times and dependable project delivery. By combining an ergonomic workspace with efficient technology and reliable workflows, I can spend more time focusing on storytelling, pacing and producing polished edits for my clients.
If you have any questions about my video editing services, please get in touch via my website contact form.
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Video editing workstation upgrade
Frequently asked questions
What is a fast video editing workflow?
A fast video editing workflow combines efficient hardware, organised media management, reliable storage and professional editing software to reduce delays throughout post-production.
Why is RAID storage important for video editing?
RAID storage helps protect valuable media while providing fast access to large video files.
Should I edit directly from camera cards?
No. Camera media should first be copied to secure storage and backed up before editing begins.
Which editing software do professional editors use?
Many professionals use software such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro, depending on the project requirements.
