Premiere Pro Tutorial | FREE COURSE

Introduction

Introduction

Video is the most powerful communication tool available today, and capturing high-quality video has never been easier. In almost all cases, the raw video needs to be altered, trimmed, adjusted, or edited, and this is a major roadblock for many people. This course is designed to get you up and running with one of the most popular video editing applications out there: Adobe Premiere Pro.

Hi, my name is Dave Bode for Tuts+. In this course, you will learn the basics of editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. You'll learn how to organize your files outside of Premiere, how to import your assets, and how to set up a project. You'll also learn some editing essentials like marking in and out points on clips, creating sub-clips, the basics of trimming in a timeline, adding cutaway shots, audio effects, and video effects, adjusting the audio of your tracks, adding titles, and exporting your project. By the end of this course, you will have the skills you need to take raw camera footage and turn it into something much more interesting.

In the next section, you're going to learn about what you need to get started editing in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro

System Requirements

First, you will need to get Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Adobe uses a subscription-based payment model; Premiere Pro costs around $ 20 USD per month. If you want access to all Adobe apps, it costs about $ 50 USD per month. The advantage of the Creative Cloud model is that it's frequently updated with new features and bug fixes.

Next, you'll need a computer with the following specifications:

• 64-bit operating system (Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit, or Mac OS X 10.9 or 10.10)
• An Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Phenom 2 processor with 64-bit support (PC) or a multi-core Intel processor with 64-bit support (Mac)
• At least 4 GB of RAM; 8 GB is recommended
• At least 4 GB of hard disk space for installation
• A 7200 RPM or faster drive is recommended
• A display resolution of at least 1280x800 pixels
• On a Mac, there's no sound card requirement, but on a PC, you'll need a sound card with ASIO protocol or Microsoft Windows Driver Model

Additionally, for GPU accelerated features, you will need an Adobe-certified GPU card with at least 1 GB of VRAM. More CPU power, RAM, and hard drive space will improve performance, especially when using multiple Adobe apps simultaneously.

File Organization

Before you start editing, organize your files outside of Premiere. For example, group all your footage, photos, and audio files into separate folders. When dealing with footage from cameras like the Canon c100, maintain the original folder structure to ensure smooth importing into Premiere.

Importing Assets

To import your assets into Premiere, double-click in the Project Panel or drag your files directly into Premiere. For AVCHD format files, use the Media Browser for importing. This method ensures the correct handling of multi-file footage.

Basic Editing in Premiere

Creating a Sequence

A sequence is where you'll assemble your clips in the Timeline Panel. Create a sequence by dragging a clip into the Timeline or the New Item button. This action sets your sequence settings to match the clip.

Marking In and Out Points

Use the Source Monitor to mark the in and out points of your clips before adding them to the sequence. This step prevents unnecessary clutter and improves editing efficiency.

Creating Sub-clips

For long footage, create sub-clips by marking in and out points within the Source Monitor, then use the "Make Subclip" option. This method helps manage lengthy footage by breaking them into more manageable pieces.

Adding Cutaway Shots

Cutaway shots, or b-roll, illustrate points and can hide transitions between takes. Use the Timeline Panel to insert these shots without disrupting the main sequence's flow.

Adjusting Audio

Normalizing Audio

Normalize audio to ensure consistent volume levels across clips. Use the Audio Gain settings to set peak amplitude levels.

Applying Audio Effects

Apply audio effects either to individual clips or entire tracks using the Audio Track Mixer. Use tools like EQ and dynamics processing to refine audio quality.

Working with Titles

Create basic titles within Premiere using the Title Tool or import more complex titles from Photoshop or After Effects. Ensure titles with transparency are saved in formats that support alpha channels, like PNG or PSD.

Exporting Your Project

Use the Adobe Media Encoder to export your final project. Select appropriate presets or create custom settings based on your delivery needs. This tool allows parallel encoding and easier management of multiple export settings.

Final Tips

Explore additional resources like Adobe's 445-page help file for deeper dives into specific tools and functions. Also, consider acoustically treating your editing space for better audio accuracy.

Keywords

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Video Editing
• File Organization
• Importing Assets
• Creating Sequence
• Marking In and Out Points
• Sub-clips
• Cutaway Shots
• Normalizing Audio
• Applying Audio Effects
• Titles
• Exporting Project
• Adobe Media Encoder

FAQ

Q1: What are the system requirements for Adobe Premiere Pro CC? A1: You'll need a 64-bit operating system, an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Phenom 2 processor, at least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), at least 4 GB of hard disk space, and a display resolution of at least 1280x800 pixels. For GPU accelerated features, an Adobe-certified GPU card with at least 1 GB of VRAM is also required.

Q2: How do I import AVCHD format files into Premiere Pro? A2: Use the Media Browser for importing AVCHD format files. This method ensures correct handling and avoids issues with multi-file footage.

Q3: What is the benefit of marking in and out points before adding clips to the sequence? A3: Marking in and out points helps prevent unnecessary clutter and improves editing efficiency by ensuring only the desired parts of the clip are added to the sequence.

Q4: How do I normalize audio in Premiere Pro? A4: Select the audio clip, right-click and choose “Audio Gain”, then set the peak amplitude to the desired level.

Q5: How can I apply audio effects to multiple clips at once? A5: Use the Audio Track Mixer to apply effects to entire tracks. This ensures all clips on that track are affected.

Q6: What formats should I use for titles with transparency? A6: Use formats that support alpha channels, like PNG or PSD.

Q7: How do I export my final project in Adobe Premiere Pro? A7: Use the Adobe Media Encoder for exporting. Choose the appropriate preset, set your desired settings, hit "queue", and manage your exports in Adobe Media Encoder.