--- tags: resource --- # Getting Started with Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro: A Guide for Students ![alt text](https://files.slack.com/files-pri/T0HTW3H0V-F03UCTX7XUK/man-with-a-movie-camera-scissors.jpeg?pub_secret=3b3cd388b5) This resource introduces some **basic video and audio editing moves** in Adobe Premiere Pro, provides links to **helpful tutorials**, and highlights **considerations to keep in mind early in your project** so editing is smoother later. If you have not already done so, [download the Adobe Creative Cloud and install Adobe Premiere.](https://hackmd.io/gwYg4xWdT6yLcSBF0eXBKg) --- ## 0. Setting Up Your Workspace & Panels Premiere Pro is highly customizable. You don’t need to use the default layout — you can open, close, and rearrange panels depending on the task at hand. Knowing how to do this early will make editing smoother. ### Workspaces - Go to the top menu: *Window → Workspaces*. - Common presets: - **Editing** (default, balanced for most tasks) - **Color** (focuses on Lumetri Color panel for grading) - **Audio** (shows mixing and effects tools) - **Graphics** (highlights Essential Graphics for text and motion design) - To reset if things look different: *Window → Workspaces → Reset to Saved Layout*. - To keep your setup: *Window → Workspaces → Save as New Workspace*. > **Tip:** Start in **Editing** while you’re learning, then switch as you take on specialized tasks. ### Opening Essential Panels Sometimes, important tools aren’t visible until you open their panels. You can access any panel from the *Window* menu. A few you’ll likely need: - **Effects** (Window → Effects) Use this to apply transitions and video/audio effects. - **Essential Graphics** (Window → Essential Graphics) For creating and customizing text and titles. - **Lumetri Color** (Window → Lumetri Color) For adjusting brightness, contrast, and color. - **Audio Track Mixer** (Window → Audio Track Mixer) Useful for balancing levels across an entire track. - **Media Browser** (Window → Media Browser) A reliable way to import media and avoid broken links. --- ## 1. Basic Video Editing Moves - **Importing Media** - Use the **Media Browser** panel to import clips. - Keep all media organized in one folder on your computer before importing. **This is very important!** Premiere will be unable to open your project file if the media you import moves locations on your computer. - **Creating a Sequence** - Right-click a clip → *New Sequence from Clip*. - Or: manually set resolution (1080p, 4K) and frame rate (24, 30, 60 fps). - **Basic Cuts** - **Razor Tool (C)**: Split clips at the playhead. - **Trim Tool**: Hover over the edge of a clip to shorten/extend. - **Moving and Rearranging** - **Selection Tool (V)**: Drag and drop clips on the timeline. - Use snapping (toggle with **S**) to align edits quickly. - **Titles & Text** - Use the **Type Tool (T)** in the Program Monitor. - Customize with the *Essential Graphics* panel. --- ## 1.5 Working with Effects Effects let you change how your clips look or sound. You’ll mainly use the **Effects panel** and **Effect Controls panel** together. ### Adding Effects - Open the *Effects* panel (*Window → Effects*). - Browse **Video Effects**, **Audio Effects**, or **Video Transitions**. - Drag the desired effect onto a clip in the Timeline. ### Adjusting Effects - Select the clip → open the *Effect Controls* panel (*Window → Effect Controls*). - Every applied effect will appear here with adjustable settings. - Examples: - **Cross Dissolve**: drag between two clips → duration can be adjusted in *Effect Controls*. - **Gaussian Blur**: adjust blurriness level with a slider. - **Lumetri Color**: tweak exposure, contrast, or saturation. ### Keyframing Effects - Many effect properties have a stopwatch icon. - Click the stopwatch to create a **keyframe** (marks a value at a specific point in time). - Move the playhead and change the value → Premiere will animate the change. - Example: zooming into an image by increasing *Scale* over time. > **Tip:** Think of the *Effects* panel as your “toolbox” and *Effect Controls* as your “control room.” --- ## 1. Basic Video Editing Moves - **Importing Media** - Use the **Media Browser** panel to import clips (avoids path issues). - Keep all media organized in one folder on your computer before importing. - **Creating a Sequence** - Right-click a clip → *New Sequence from Clip* (ensures correct settings). - Or: manually set resolution (1080p, 4K) and frame rate (24, 30, 60 fps). - **Basic Cuts** - **Razor Tool (shortcut key: C)**: Split clips at the playhead. - **Trim Tool**: Hover over the edge of a clip, then click and drag to shorten/extend. - **Moving and Rearranging** - **Selection Tool (shortcut key: V)**: Drag and drop clips on the timeline. - Use snapping (toggle with **S**) to align edits quickly. - **Transitions** - Go to *Effects* → *Video Transitions* → drag onto the cut. - Cross Dissolve is the most common for video. - **Titles & Text** - Use the **Type Tool (T)** directly in the Program Monitor. - Customize with the *Essential Graphics* panel. --- ## 2. Basic Audio Editing Moves - **Volume Adjustments** - Use the **audio track keyframes** (pen tool) to fade audio in/out. - Drag the audio line up or down to change volume quickly. - **Audio Transitions** - Apply *Constant Power* from the *Audio Transitions* menu for smooth fades. - **Balancing Sound** - Keep dialogue around **-6dB to -12dB**. - Avoid peaking above 0dB (red levels in the meter). --- ### Syncing Audio & Video in Premiere There are several ways to sync audio and video depending on how you recorded your footage: 1. **Manual Sync (Clap/Slate Method)** - Place video and audio tracks on the timeline. - Zoom in on the clap/slate spike in the waveform. - Drag audio until the spike aligns with the visual clap. - Once synced, **link** the video and audio (right-click → *Link*). 2. **Automatic Sync (Synchronize Command)** - Select the video and audio clips in the timeline or Project panel. - Right-click → *Synchronize* → choose **Audio**. - Premiere analyzes the waveforms and aligns them automatically. - Works best with clear, distinct dialogue or claps. 3. **Merge Clips (Good for Organized Projects)** - In the Project panel, select the video + external audio file. - Right-click → *Merge Clips*. - Choose sync by **Audio** or **Timecode**. - Creates a new “merged clip” with video + synced audio combined. - Useful if you want a single asset to edit with (instead of keeping separate audio tracks). 4. **Timecode Sync (Professional Shoots)** - If your camera and recorder were jam-synced to the same timecode: - Select video + audio in the Project panel. - Right-click → *Merge Clips* → sync by **Timecode**. - This gives frame-accurate syncing with no manual alignment needed. 5. **Transcript + Text-Based Editing (newer AI-driven workflow)** - If your A-roll (main video source) has dialogue, **auto-transcribe it** (`Window → Text → Transcript`). - In the **Transcript panel**, you can align sections of speech with B-roll (smaller clips or insert shots) by **cutting sections directly**. - Then just **drag B-roll over those cut sections** to illustrate what’s being said. --- **Best Practice:** - Always record a **slate or clap** at the start of each take. - If possible, keep your camera’s onboard audio recording (even if low quality) — it helps Premiere sync waveforms automatically. - After syncing, **link** the tracks so they stay together when you edit. --- ## 4. Adobe Premiere Tutorials - [Adobe Premiere Pro Beginner Tutorial (Adobe)](https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/tutorials.html) - [Premiere Pro for Beginners – Full Course (FreeCodeCamp)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hls3Tp7JS8E) - [Premiere Pro Audio Editing Basics (Adobe)](https://www.adobe.com/learn/premiere-pro?topic=audio&learnIn=1) - [Essential Graphics & Titles in Premiere (Adobe)](https://www.adobe.com/learn/premiere-pro?topic=titles&learnIn=1) --- <h2> 5. Related Resources </h2> * **Guide for Making Film Storyboards** [Storyboarding Resource](/4263I1usRp6425Sia5fssg)