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Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorial for Beginners - COMPLETE Guide!

Film & Animation

Introduction

Introduction

In this complete Adobe Premiere Pro tutorial for beginners, we'll walk you through everything you need to understand all the key features, and you'll learn plenty of video editing tips to help you edit videos like a pro, fast. If you're already familiar with Premiere, feel free to leave your top editing tip in the comments to assist other new users.

Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro

Whether you're on a Mac or Windows, the process remains quite similar. Upon opening Premiere Pro, you'll see a list of your recent projects in the middle. To start a new project, select “New Project” in the top-left corner.

Importing Media

Premiere Pro organizes work into three primary tabs: Import, Edit, and Export. Name your project and choose where to save it. Import settings allow you to keep your media files in their current location or copy them to the project's location. You can specify settings related to creating new bins and sequences.

I'm going to leave this one unchecked and leave our media where it is.

Interface Overview

  • Source Window: View and preview source video clips.
  • Program Window: Preview your edited sequence.
  • Timeline: Main editing tool where you arrange and edit clips.
  • Audio Bars: Visual representation of audio levels.
  • Edit Tools Panel: Access core editing tools.
  • Project Window: Manage imported media and assets.

Creating a Sequence

To create a sequence, drag your primary footage into the timeline area. Premiere will automatically set up your sequence to match the format, frame rate, and settings of your primary footage.

We can then come back over here, you can see we've got our timeline here, or our sequence, we can call this "Edit V1".

Saving Your Project

It's always a good practice to save your project frequently. Go to File > Save to ensure you don’t lose your work.

Trimming and Cutting Footage

Trimming allows you to remove unwanted parts of your footage.

  1. To Remove Sections:
    • Drag the edge of the clip to adjust the starting point.
    • Use Command + K (Mac) or Control + K (Windows) to cut the clip.
    • Delete the unwanted part and close the gap by dragging the remaining clip.
  2. Ripple Delete: Use Shift + Delete (Windows) or Option + Delete (Mac) to remove a section and close the gap automatically.

Adding B-Roll and Overlay Footage

Use the B-Roll folder to preview clips and drag selected portions into the timeline. Muting the audio track for b-roll clips is simple with the "M" button on the audio track.

Adding Titles and Text

  1. Type Tool: Use it to add text by drawing a text box.
  2. Essential Graphics Panel: Adjust fonts, colors, and styles.
  3. Reposition Text: Use the Transform tools to adjust the position.

Adding Transitions and Effects

  1. Video Transitions: Found under the Effects tab. Stick to simple transitions like Dip to Black, Dip to White, or Cross Dissolve.
  2. Applying Transitions: Drag them onto the timeline at the start or end of clips to create smooth transitions.
  3. Adding Effects: Use Effect Controls to zoom in/out on clips for a more dynamic look.

Adding Music and Sound Effects

Add your music tracks by dragging them into the timeline. Adjust their volume to ensure they don’t overpower the main audio.

Adjusting Volume Levels

  1. Voiceover/Narration First:
    • Adjust audio levels clip-by-clip via Effect Controls.
    • Use the Audio Track Mixer for track-wide adjustments.
  2. Keyframing: Use keyframes for more granular control over audio transitions.

Color Correction and Grading

  1. Select Clip: Go to Window > Lumetri Color.
  2. Basic Corrections: Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and saturation.
  3. Creative Adjustments: Use LUTs or presets for a unique look.

Exporting Your Video

Go to the Export tab and choose your settings. For most users, default settings should suffice. Choose a media file format for manual upload, or directly upload to platforms like YouTube by signing in and completing the required fields.

Conclusion

After exporting, preview your final video on various devices to ensure the quality. Make any necessary adjustments and export again if needed.

Keywords

  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Video Editing
  • Import Media
  • Trimming Footage
  • Adding Titles
  • Transitions
  • Sound Effects
  • Volume Adjustment
  • Color Correction
  • Export Settings

FAQ

1. How do I import media into Adobe Premiere Pro?

You can import media by right-clicking in the project window and selecting Import, or by dragging and dropping files directly from a file browser.

2. How can I trim and cut clips efficiently?

Use the trimming tool to drag the edges of clips, or use Command + K (Mac) / Control + K (Windows) to cut and Shift + Delete (Windows) / Option + Delete (Mac) to ripple delete.

3. What's the best way to add text and titles?

Use the Type Tool to create text boxes and customize your text with the Essential Graphics panel.

Stick with basic transitions like Dip to Black, Dip to White, and Cross Dissolve to maintain a professional appearance.

5. How do I adjust volume levels for voiceovers and background music?

Use the Effect Controls panel for individual clips, or the Audio Track Mixer for adjustments across an entire audio track. Use keyframes for detailed volume control.

6. What are the essential steps for color correction?

Start with basic corrections under the Lumetri Color panel, adjusting brightness, contrast, white balance, and saturation. Use creative LUTs for a customized look.

Use the default export settings or choose the YouTube preset for seamless uploading. Typically, exporting as an MP4 file with the H.264 codec works well.

8. How can I ensure my video looks good across different devices?

Preview your exported video on various devices, such as a phone or tablet, to check for issues. Make further adjustments if necessary and re-export.