Premiere Pro: Getting Started

Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro

• Mastering video editing requires dedication over years.
• Both beginners and advanced users can benefit from the comprehensive course.
• The course provides in-depth knowledge of Premiere Pro.

Launching and Setting Up a Project

• Launch Premiere Pro and click "New Project".
• Name the project in the top left corner (e.g., "My Edits").
• Designate a location for the Premiere Pro project file.
• Footage import can be done later.
• Enter the workspace by clicking "Create".

Understanding the Workspace

• The workspace is made up of various panels with specific functions.
• The panels can be resized, moved, and rearranged for workspace customization.
• Close panels by right-clicking on their tabs and selecting "Close Panel".
• The "Window" menu grants access to all available panels.
• Restore workspace layouts to the saved layout via "Workspaces" > "Reset to Saved Layout".

The Project Window

• The project window serves as the central location for importing videos, pictures, music, and sound effects.
• Import files by double-clicking inside the project window or dragging and dropping.
• Organize by creating folders (bins) for videos, pictures, music, and sound effects.

Creating a Sequence (Timeline)

• In Premiere Pro, a timeline is referred to as a sequence.
• Create a new sequence by clicking the "New Item" button and choosing "Sequence".
• Select a preset with specific settings, including resolution and frame rate.
• Alternatively, dragging a video onto the "New Item" button creates a sequence matching the video’s settings.
• Rename sequences by selecting them and pressing Enter.
• Switch between multiple sequences using tabs above the timeline.

Playback and Source Monitor

• Press the play button to play back footage.
• The program monitor is what displays the video playback.
• Scrub through the video using the timeline.
• The source monitor previews footage selected in the project window for specific part selection.
• Set in and out points in the source monitor using the "I" and "O" keys.
• Drags selections from the source monitor into the timeline.

Timeline Manipulation

• Zoom in on clips in the timeline using the scroll bars or Alt + scroll wheel.
• Adjust track height by dragging the video track column to view thumbnails or audio waveforms.
• Move and snap clips together for accurate editing.
• Use the razor tool to cut clips, then use the selection tool to move or remove parts.
• Place videos on top of one another on different tracks.
• Use the visibility toggle to hide a video track and view the clips underneath.

Storyblocks Plugin

• Storyblocks provides royalty-free stock assets.
• Storyblocks is a sponsor of the video.
• Search for and download unlimited HD or 4K videos and assets within Premiere Pro.
• Assets can be used in monetized social media videos royalty-free.

Audio Track Input

• Audio track input can be enabled or disabled.
• Check if the audio track input is enabled if audio is missing upon importing.
• The same applies to video track input.

Speed and Duration

• Change clip speed by right-clicking and selecting "Speed/Duration".
• Increase the percentage to speed up the clip or decrease to slow it down.
• Choose the "Reverse Speed" option to reverse the video.
• The rate stretch tool adjusts the speed to fit a clip between two others.

Adding Text

• Add text directly into the program monitor using the text tool.
• A new graphics layer is added to the timeline when adding text.
• Text can be placed on video or in an empty space without a background.
• In the essential graphics panel ("Window" > "Essential Graphics"), customize text.
• In the essential graphics panel, adjust scale, position, font, and color.
• Animate text by adjusting properties in the effects controls panel.

Animating Text with Keyframes

• The location of text at a specific moment in time is recorded by keyframes.
• Click the stopwatch icon to add the first keyframe.
• Move the playhead and adjust the property to create more keyframes.
• The text moves from point A to point B based on set keyframes.
• Move keyframes closer together to increase animation speed.

Adding Effects

• The effects library contains a range of effects.
• Drag effects onto clips in the timeline.
• Every effect added to a clip appears in the effects control.
• In the effects controls panel, adjust effect properties.
• Keyframes animate effect properties.

Transitions

• Transitions create seamless edits between clips.
• Find video transitions in the "Video Transitions" folder in the effects panel.
• Drag transitions between clips on the timeline.
• Adjust transition durations by dragging their edges.
• Apply the default transition (dissolve) to the start of a clip by selecting it and pressing Ctrl + D.

Color Grading with Lumetri Color

• Lumetri Color panel offers color grading tools.
• Access Lumetri Color via "Window" > "Lumetri Color".
• Adjust basic controls like temperature, tint, saturation, exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows.

Audio Processing

• Adjust audio volume by dragging the gain curve on the clip itself.
• Alternatively, right-click a clip and choose "Gain" to raise or lower the volume by a specific amount in decibels.
• Access the essential sounds panel via "Window" > "Essential Sounds".
• Choose the audio type to access preset mixing options.

Exporting (Rendering)

• Exporting (rendering) combines edits into a single video file.
• Click "Export" to begin the export process.
• Set the range to "Entire Source" to export the entire edit.
• Choose a location for the exported file.
• Select an export preset based on the desired quality, such as YouTube 1080p or YouTube 4K.