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Team Delegation, Outsourcing, Remote Editors & Production Pipelines

An editor renames source files after another collaborator has already linked them, breaking path-based references in the active project.

Problem

An editor renames source files after another collaborator has already linked them, breaking path-based references in the active project.

Solution

Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Renaming media on disk after an NLE project has linked to it breaks the underlying path relationship, resulting in "Media Offline" errors across all collaborators' project files.

Actionable Fix:
1. Enforce an Ingest Lock Milestone: Prohibit all filename changes once raw footage has undergone initial offload and checksum verification.
2. Use Virtual NLE Renaming for Organizational Needs: Instruct editors to modify "Clip Name" or "Display Name" properties inside the NLE bin, leaving the physical file on disk untouched.
3. Implement File System Auditing and Relinking: If accidental renaming occurs, use automated batch relinking tools that cross-reference embedded file timecode and audio track count.

Pro Tip:
Establish a strict rule: once media is copied to the storage server, renaming the file on disk is an immediate pipeline violation. Rename clips only inside the NLE bin.