How To Remove Background from Video in Premiere Pro - Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, we'll guide you on how to remove the background of a video using Adobe Premiere Pro. This technique is incredibly useful when replacing a solid color background with another image or video.

Step 1: Import Your Video Clip

To begin, open Adobe Premiere Pro and import your video clip. Once imported, drag the clip to the timeline to start editing.

Step 2: Apply the Color Key Effect

1. Accessing the Effects Panel:

   • With your video clip selected in the timeline, head over to the effects panel.
   • If you can't find the effects panel, go to Window > Effects to enable it.

2. Adding the Color Key Effect:

   • In the search bar within the effects panel, type "Color Key".
   • This will filter the effects to show only the Color Key effect.
   • Drag and drop the Color Key effect onto your video clip in the timeline.

Step 3: Adjust the Color Key Effect

1. Accessing Effect Controls:

   • Navigate to the effect controls panel, usually located in the top left of the interface.
   • If you don’t see it, go to Window > Effect Controls to open it.

2. Selecting the Key Color:

   • Next to the Color Key option, click on the Color Picker tool (eyedropper icon).
   • Use this tool to select the most prominent color in the background of your video clip.
   • This technique works best if the background is a solid color or consists of similar shades.

3. Enhancing Transparency:

   • Click on the wrench icon in the effect controls panel and select the transparency grid.
   • This will help you see the areas of the background that are being removed.

4. Adjusting Parameters:

   • Color Tolerance:
     • Adjust the color tolerance slider to increase or decrease the range of colors keyed out.
     • The higher the tolerance, the more shades of the selected color will be removed. Be careful not to set it too high as it might start removing parts of your subject.
   • Edge Thin:
     • Adjust the edge thin slider to refine the edges of your subject.
     • This setting helps to remove any remaining fringe of the background color around your subject.
   • Edge Feather:
     • Use the edge feather slider to smooth the edges of your subject.
     • This will create a softer transition between your subject and the new background, making the keying effect look more natural.

Step 4: Import and Position the New Background

1. Import New Background:

   • Import a new background video or image to replace the removed background.
   • Drag the new background to the timeline and place it on a layer below your keyed video clip.

2. Matching Length and Adjustments:

   • Ensure the new background layer is the same length as your video clip to avoid any gaps in the final output.
   • You can also adjust the position and scale of the new background in the effect controls panel to fit your scene perfectly.

I hope this guide helped you out! Leave a comment if you have any questions, and see you in the next one.

Keywords

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Remove Background
• Color Key Effect
• Video Editing
• Keying
• Transparency
• Edge Thin
• Edge Feather
• Timeline
• Effect Controls

FAQ

Q: What is the Color Key effect?

A: The Color Key effect in Adobe Premiere Pro allows you to remove a background of a specific color from your video clip.

Q: How do I access the effects panel in Adobe Premiere Pro?

A: You can access the effects panel by going to Window > Effects.

Q: What should I do if my background isn't a solid color?

A: This technique works best with backgrounds that are solid colors or have similar shades. If your background is not solid, additional manual adjustment might be required.

Q: What are the Color Tolerance and Edge Thin parameters used for?

A: The Color Tolerance parameter helps to increase or decrease the range of colors that are keyed out. The Edge Thin parameter refines the edges of your subject by removing any remaining fringe of the background color.

Q: How can I ensure the new background matches my video clip perfectly?

A: Make sure the new background layer is the same length as your video clip in the timeline, and adjust the position and scale in the effect controls panel to fit your scene perfectly.