This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Managing collaboration
The option to import other projects, and to open multiple projects, presents novel workflows and opportunities for collaboration. You could, for example, share work on different parts of a program between different editors, all using the same media assets. Then, one editor could import all the other projects to combine them into a completed sequence.
Project files are small—often small enough to email. This means editors are able to share updated project files, provided that each editor has a copy of the same media files. You can use local-folder file-sharing services to update a shared project file that links to duplicated copies of local media files. The Creative Cloud Files folder is a good example.
You can add markers with comments to sequences. When updating a sequence, consider adding a marker to record changes for your collaborators.
By default, Premiere Pro does not lock project files when they are in use. This means two people sharing a project file via network-based storage can access the same project file at the same time. This could be creatively dangerous!
While working in a project file, you’re actually using a virtual copy. When you save, that copy replaces the original file. Now imagine a scenario where two people have opened the same original file.
As one person saves the project file, it updates, with their virtual copy overwriting the original. As the next person saves the file, it updates again, replaced with a different virtual copy. Every time the file is saved, a different virtual copy replaces changes made by the other editor—the last editor to save the project permanently replaces the project file. If you intend to collaborate, it’s usually best to work on separate project files or manage access to one project file carefully.
There are several dedicated media server systems made by third parties that help you to collaborate using shared media files. These allow you to store and manage your media in a way that is accessible by multiple editors at the same time.
Keep these questions in mind:
Who has the latest version of the edited sequence?
Where are the media files stored?
As long as you have clear answers to these questions, you should be able to collaborate and share creative work using Premiere Pro.
Project locking
At the lower-left corner of the Project panel, you’ll see a small green icon 
indicating that the project is writable. Clicking the icon locks the project 
. By default, the project-locking feature is not enabled in the Premiere Pro preferences, so clicking will have no effect.
You can enable support for project locking (preventing changes) in Premiere Pro > Preferences > Collaboration (macOS) or Edit > Preferences > Collaboration (Windows).
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All editors that are collaborating must enable this option for project locking to work. If you ever need to ignore the locked status of a project, you can deselect Project Locking in the preferences.
Saving a selection as a project
Premiere Pro allows you to export a selection of clips and sequences as a new separate Premiere Pro project. This streamlined project file makes collaboration easier because it allows you to focus on precisely the content that matters.
To export a selection as a Premiere Pro project, select items in the Project panel, and choose File > Export > Selection As Premiere Project. Choose a name and location for the new project file, and click Save.
This workflow is a little different than using the Project Manager to create a new project because the new project file will link to your existing media files—no new media files are created.