Learn the Premiere Pro Basics in 20 Minutes | Tutorial for beginners

Introduction

This tutorial is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of Adobe Premiere Pro in a short amount of time. In just 20 minutes, you will gain the foundational skills needed to navigate the software, import assets, edit videos, and export your final product.

Step 1: Starting a New Project

• Open Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Select "New Project" from the welcome screen.
• Choose a project name and location where you want to save it.
• Adjust project settings if necessary (Resolution, Frame Rate).
• Click "OK" to create your new project.

Step 2: Premiere Pro Interface

• Familiarize yourself with the main components of the interface:
  • Project Panel: Where your imported media files are displayed.
  • Timeline Panel: The area where you will edit your video.
  • Source Monitor: Used for previewing video clips before adding them to the timeline.
  • Program Monitor: Displays your sequence as you edit.
• Arrange panels to fit your workflow by dragging them around.

Step 3: Importing Assets

• Go to the Project Panel.
• Right-click in the panel and select "Import" or use the shortcut Ctrl + I (Cmd + I on Mac).
• Navigate to the files (videos, images, audio) you wish to import and select them.
• Click "Open" to add them to your project.

Step 4: Creating a Sequence

• In the Project Panel, right-click on your video clip.
• Select "New Sequence from Clip" to create a sequence that matches the clip's settings.
• Alternatively, go to File > New > Sequence and choose your preferred settings.

Step 5: Editing on the Timeline

• Drag and drop clips from the Project Panel to the Timeline.
• Use the Razor Tool (C) to cut clips where needed.
• Select clips to move, resize, or delete them directly in the Timeline.
• Utilize the Playhead to navigate through your video.

Step 6: Using the Source Monitor

• Double-click a clip in the Project Panel to open it in the Source Monitor.
• Set In (I) and Out (O) points to select the specific part of the clip you want to use.
• Drag the selected portion to the Timeline to insert it.

Step 7: Effects and Transitions

Step 7.1: Adding Effects

• Go to the "Effects Panel" (Window > Effects).
• Search for effects like "Gaussian Blur" or "Color Correction."
• Drag and drop effects onto clips in the Timeline.

Step 7.2: Adding Transitions

• In the Effects Panel, look for the "Video Transitions" folder.
• Choose a transition (e.g., Cross Dissolve) and drag it between two clips on the Timeline.
• Adjust the duration of the transition by dragging its edges.

Step 8: Editing Titles

Step 8.1: Using the Essential Graphics Panel

• Go to Window > Essential Graphics to open the panel.
• Click "New Layer" and select "Text" to add a title.
• Customize font, size, and color as desired.

Step 8.2: Using Motion Graphic Templates (MOGRTs)

• Browse for available MOGRTs in the Essential Graphics Panel.
• Drag and drop a MOGRT onto the Timeline.
• Adjust parameters in the Essential Graphics Panel to fit your project.

Step 9: Color Correction and Grading

• Select a clip in the Timeline.
• Go to the "Color" workspace (Window > Workspaces > Color).
• Use the Lumetri Color panel to adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and color balance.
• Experiment with different looks using "Creative" settings for color grading.

Step 10: Exporting the Video

• Once your project is complete, go to File > Export > Media.
• Choose the desired format (H.264 is commonly used for web).
• Adjust settings for resolution and quality as needed.
• Click "Export" to finalize and save your video.

Conclusion

You've completed the basic steps to get started with Adobe Premiere Pro! By following these instructions, you can confidently create and edit your own videos. Explore further by practicing with different effects, transitions, and color grading techniques. As you become more comfortable, consider diving deeper into advanced features and techniques. Happy editing!