How to Add Black Bars | Adobe Premiere Pro 2021

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of adding black bars in Adobe Premiere Pro 2021. Black bars, often used to create a cinematic look or to mask certain aspects of footage, can enhance the visual appeal of your video. Follow these steps to achieve that professional look in your projects.

Step 1: Create a New Sequence

• Open Adobe Premiere Pro and create a new project or open an existing one.
• Go to the File menu and select New > Sequence.
• Choose your desired sequence settings based on your footage.

Step 2: Import Your Footage

• In the Project panel, click on the Import button or drag your video files directly into the panel.
• Select the footage you want to edit and drag it to the timeline.

Step 3: Create a Black Video Layer

• Go to the File menu, select New, then click on Black Video.
• In the dialog box, ensure the settings match your sequence settings and click OK.
• Drag the black video layer from the Project panel to a track above your footage in the timeline.

Step 4: Adjust the Black Video Layer

• Select the black video layer in the timeline.
• Open the Effect Controls panel.
• Under the Transform section, adjust the Scale and Position properties to customize the size and placement of the black bars.
  • For example, to create horizontal bars:
    • Set the Scale to a lower value (e.g., 100% to 75%).
    • Adjust the Position Y to move the bars up or down.

Step 5: Fine-Tune the Look

• If you want to create a more dramatic effect, consider using the Crop effect.
• Find the Crop effect in the Effects panel, and drag it onto the black video layer.
• In the Effect Controls panel, adjust the Top and Bottom crop settings to increase or decrease the size of the black bars.

Step 6: Render Your Video

• Once you're satisfied with the look, go to the Sequence menu and select Render In to Out to preview your changes.
• If everything looks good, proceed to export your video.

Conclusion

You've successfully added black bars to your video using Adobe Premiere Pro 2021. This technique not only enhances the visual style but also helps in focusing the viewer's attention. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect look for your projects, and consider saving your sequence settings for future use. Happy editing!