Scalable image compression is exploited to facilitate the creative process in the post-production of motion pictures. Specifically, digital intermediate (DI) processing of motion pictures is enabled by dynamically rendering proxies 126 (steps 122, 124, 128) in response to client requests (steps 116, 118). A DI application is designed to enhance the efficiency of post-processing and the quality of the work product of the editors, colorists and other creative people. The DI application also provides a method for efficiently formatting the product for film, digital cinema, DVD and other video applications.