How to Edit Videos 10× Faster: The Wally Method, Proxies, Purple Filter, and Smart Shortcuts

Introduction

I’m a 21‑year‑old full‑time video editor paid per video, so the faster I finish a project the more I earn. Below are the exact techniques I use to edit up to ten times faster while keeping the quality high.

1. Build a “Factory” Project – The Wally Method

• Create a master project called Factory for each editing style or client.
• Collect every reusable asset (animations, title cards, lower thirds, sound effects, backgrounds, icons, text presets, music, LUTs, etc.) and organize them into clearly labeled bins.
• Source assets from:
• Past edited videos (copy‑paste the clips you already used).
• Stock libraries such as Envato Elements.
• Your own custom creations.
• One‑time effort: Once the Factory is populated, you simply drag‑and‑drop the needed elements into a new video. This:
• Saves hours of rebuilding the same graphics.
• Guarantees brand consistency across all videos.
• Makes the final product look cleaner and more professional.

2. Use Proxies to Turn a “Trash” Computer into a Supercomputer

• What is a proxy? A low‑resolution copy of your original 4K footage that you edit with; the final render swaps back to the full‑resolution files.
• How to create proxies (Premiere Pro example):
• Right‑click the footage in the Project panel.
• Choose Create Proxy → Ingest Settings.
• Set the proxy size to Quarter (or another low‑res preset).
• Let Premiere generate the proxies.
• Toggle proxies with the playback button (the “Toggle Proxies” icon) to switch between low‑res and full‑res preview.
• Benefits:
• Smooth editing on laptops or older PCs.
• No need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades.
• Keeps the final export at full 4K quality.

3. The Purple Filter – Stop Endless Re‑watching

• Problem: After a long edit you tend to re‑watch the timeline repeatedly, which becomes a hidden form of procrastination.
• Solution: Apply a semi‑transparent purple overlay (or any distinct color) to sections you consider “finished.”
• Workflow:
• Add a solid purple layer above the clip.
• Reduce opacity so you can still see the video.
• When you see the purple tint during playback, you know that part is already reviewed and you should move on.
• Result: You only re‑watch when you actually need to make adjustments, dramatically cutting down idle time.

4. Map the L‑Key Playback Speed Shortcut to Your Mouse

• Premiere Pro shortcut: Press L to increase playback speed (each press doubles the speed).
• Why it’s hard to habit: The L key is far from the typical editing hand position.
• Hack: Bind the L‑key function to a mouse button or a programmable keypad (e.g., Elgato Stream Deck, Loupedeck Live). This makes the shortcut instantly reachable.
• Impact: Faster scrubbing through footage, quicker decision‑making on cuts, and overall higher editing velocity.

5. Bonus Speed‑Boost Trick (The One‑Click Method)

• The video mentions a final, unnamed shortcut that “literally doubled my editing speed.” While the exact tool isn’t specified, the principle is the same: identify a single action that removes a repetitive bottleneck and place it where your hand naturally rests.
• Tip: Review your own workflow, note the most frequent manual step, and assign it to a mouse button or a macro.

Final Tips

• Combine all four methods for exponential gains.
• Keep your Factory project updated; add new assets as soon as you create them.
• Regularly clear unused proxies to save disk space.
• Use the purple filter sparingly to avoid over‑coloring your timeline.
• Practice the new mouse‑bound shortcuts until they become second nature.

By implementing the Wally Method, proxies, the purple filter, and smart shortcut mapping, you can finish videos in a fraction of the time while delivering higher‑quality, brand‑consistent content.

The fastest way to edit more videos—and earn more money—is to systematize your assets, edit with low‑resolution proxies, prevent unnecessary re‑watching with a visual cue, and bring essential shortcuts within easy reach. Master these habits and you’ll consistently edit up to ten times faster without sacrificing quality.