An offline editor executes most of the creative decisions of an edit, often using lower resolution, proxy versions of the source footage. This is where the term offline comes from, since in the days of dilm and analog video, footage could be edited without the need for the source film or video to be spooled and physically connected to the edit bay.

Depending on the relationship between an editor and director, the offline editor may have greater or lesser participation in the creative process. Typically an offline editor will control the nuances of the narrative in terms of timing, with the director being more involved in broader strokes and camera angle choice.