How do I create Proxy Files in Premiere Pro after I've already imported clips?

Hi,

Thanks for the question. I changed your title slightly to reflect your situation. Hope that's OK. 

What you might try doing is:

1. Going to the Project panel and into the bin where you have those source clips.
2. Then, right click (or Ctrl Click if on macOS) and choose > Proxy > Create Proxies. The "Create Proxies" dialog box appears. Don't choose the default "H.265" (it's not very performant), choose QuickTime, and then a preset.
3. I find that 720P ProRes 422 Proxy works well.
4. After you've got your proxies created, you can add the "Toggle Proxies" button to the Program Monitor so you can switch back and forth between the proxies and the original source files.

More info on the Proxy Workflow here.

Matt Johnson's video on this technique:

Incidentally, when I create my proxies, I add a watermark to the proxies.

That way, when I toggle them on and off, I can be clear when I'm working with proxies or original source files.

Matt Johnson has a tutorial on that here.

Let us know if you need any assistance.

Thank You,

Kevin Monahan

Select all the clips in their bin, right-click, create proxies.

In the Program monitor use the + icon to select additional controls, and drag/drop the Toggle Proxies icon to the control block.

Click it so that it is blue, you're using proxies. Click it again and you're seeing original media.

You can also set a keyboard shortcut which is of course faster in use.

Neil