Premiere Pro 2019: Your Complete Video Editing Guide

Hey there, video enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the awesome world of Adobe Premiere Pro 2019? This tutorial is designed to be your friendly guide, whether you're a complete newbie or have dabbled in video editing before. We'll cover everything from the basics to some cool pro tips, so you can start creating amazing videos. Let's get started, shall we?

Getting Started with Premiere Pro 2019

Alright, guys, before we get our hands dirty with video editing, let's make sure you're all set up. First things first, you'll need Adobe Premiere Pro 2019 installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, which gives you access to Premiere Pro and a whole bunch of other creative apps. Once you've got it installed, fire it up! The first time you launch Premiere Pro, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Don't worry, that's totally normal. The interface can seem a bit intimidating at first, but trust me, it's designed to make your video editing workflow as smooth as possible. We'll break down the interface step by step, so you'll feel right at home in no time. The initial screen usually prompts you to open a project or start a new one. Let's start a new project. Click on "New Project." A window will pop up asking for some project settings. You can name your project, choose where to save it, and select a video display format. For most projects, the default settings will work just fine. You can always change these settings later if you need to. Once you've set up your project, you'll see the main Premiere Pro interface. It's divided into several panels, each serving a specific purpose. We'll explore these panels in detail as we go through this tutorial. Let's start with the essential panels. The Source Monitor panel, where you can preview your source footage before you put it in your timeline. The Program Monitor panel, which shows the final edited video. The Timeline panel, where you assemble your video clips, add transitions, and apply effects. The Project panel, where you import and organize your media files like video clips, audio tracks, and images. The Tools panel, which contains various editing tools like the Selection Tool, Razor Tool, and Text Tool. Remember, Premiere Pro is all about non-destructive editing. This means you're not actually changing your original footage. Instead, you're creating a set of instructions that Premiere Pro uses to create the final video. This is great because it allows you to experiment without worrying about messing up your source files. Before we dive deeper, if you are looking for alternatives, there are other video editing software options available, such as Final Cut Pro (for Mac users), DaVinci Resolve (a powerful free option), or even simpler options like Filmora or iMovie if you're just starting out. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so feel free to explore and find what suits your needs best. For now, let's stick with Premiere Pro 2019! It is an amazing software.

Importing Your Media

Now that your project is set up, it's time to bring in the good stuff: your video clips, audio tracks, and any other media you want to include in your video. Premiere Pro offers a few ways to import your media. The easiest way is to drag and drop your files directly into the Project panel. You can also go to File > Import and select your media files from your computer. Or, you can right-click in the Project panel and select "Import." The Project panel is where your imported media lives. It's like a library for all your video assets. You can organize your media into folders within the Project panel to keep things tidy, especially if you are working on a large project with lots of files. Once your media is imported, you can preview your video clips in the Source Monitor panel. Double-click a video clip in the Project panel to load it into the Source Monitor. From there, you can watch the clip, mark in and out points to select the specific parts you want to use in your video, and even add markers for reference. This is an awesome way to prep your clips before you bring them into your timeline. For audio files, you can preview them in the Source Monitor as well, so you can listen to them before editing your video. If you are having issues with file format compatibility, Premiere Pro supports a wide range of formats, but you might run into issues with certain codecs. In such cases, you can convert your files to a more compatible format using another software before importing them into Premiere Pro. This is a rare thing, but it does happen. Make sure you know where all your media is located on your computer, as Premiere Pro needs to be able to find it when you open your project. If you move or rename your files, Premiere Pro might lose track of them, and you'll have to relink them. So, keep things organized. Once you've imported your media and prepped your clips, you're ready to start building your video in the timeline! This is where the magic happens, and you will have fun.

Basic Video Editing Techniques in Premiere Pro 2019

Alright, buckle up, guys! Now we're diving into the heart of video editing. This is where you actually start putting your video together. We will start with the basics. The Timeline is where the video comes to life. It's where you arrange your video clips, add transitions, apply effects, and generally make your video look awesome. To get started, drag your video clips from the Project panel onto the Timeline. They will appear as video tracks. You can have multiple video tracks stacked on top of each other, allowing you to create more complex visuals, such as picture-in-picture effects or video overlays. You can also see your audio clips in the timeline below the video tracks. You can adjust the tracks' visibility and lock them to prevent accidental edits. Once your clips are in the timeline, you can start arranging them in the order you want them to appear in your video. To move a clip, click on it and drag it to a new position. If you want to delete a clip, select it and press the Delete key. You will be able to perform these editing techniques:

Cutting and Trimming

Cutting and trimming your video clips is crucial for crafting a well-paced and engaging video. Premiere Pro has several tools to help you with this. The Selection Tool (the arrow icon) is your go-to tool for selecting, moving, and trimming clips. To trim a clip, hover your mouse over the edge of the clip in the Timeline. When the cursor changes to a red bracket, click and drag to shorten or lengthen the clip. You can also use the Razor Tool (the blade icon) to cut a clip into two separate pieces. Click on the Timeline where you want to make the cut. The clip will split into two. This is very useful for removing unwanted sections of your video. You can also use the In and Out points in the Source Monitor to select specific sections of a clip that you want to include in your timeline. This is super handy for precisely trimming your clips. Remember, non-destructive editing is key. You can always trim and adjust your clips without permanently changing your original footage.

Adding Transitions

Transitions help create smooth and visually appealing transitions between your video clips. Premiere Pro has a whole library of built-in transitions that you can use. To add a transition, go to the Effects panel and select the "Video Transitions" folder. There, you'll find a variety of transitions, such as cross dissolves, wipes, and fades. Drag a transition onto the Timeline and place it between two clips. The transition will automatically create a smooth transition between those clips. You can adjust the duration of the transition by clicking and dragging its edges in the Timeline. Experiment with different transitions to find the ones that best suit your video's style. Keep in mind that transitions should enhance your video, not distract from it. Use them sparingly, and choose transitions that fit the mood and pace of your video.

Working with Audio

Audio is just as important as video. Premiere Pro lets you edit and adjust your audio to make it sound its best. You can adjust the volume of each audio clip in the Timeline by dragging the rubber band up or down on the audio track. This will increase or decrease the volume of that specific clip. You can also use keyframes to create more complex volume adjustments over time. To add a keyframe, click on the rubber band where you want the volume to change. Drag the keyframe up or down to adjust the volume at that point. You can add effects to your audio clips to improve their sound quality. In the Effects panel, you'll find a variety of audio effects, such as noise reduction, equalization, and compression. Experiment with these effects to get the best possible sound for your video. Ensure that your audio levels are not too low or too high. Pay attention to the audio meters in the Program Monitor to ensure that your audio levels are within an acceptable range. If your audio is clipping (going too loud and distorting), you will need to reduce the volume. Good audio can greatly improve the overall quality of your video.

Advanced Editing Tips and Tricks

Alright, now that we've covered the basics, let's take a look at some more advanced techniques that can help you take your video editing skills to the next level. Let's start with color correction and grading.

Color Correction and Grading

Color correction is all about fixing any issues with the colors in your video, such as incorrect white balance or exposure. Color grading is about creating a specific look and feel for your video through color adjustments. Premiere Pro has powerful color correction and grading tools. The Lumetri Color panel is your best friend when it comes to color adjustments. You'll find it in the Effects panel. The Lumetri Color panel has a variety of tools that allow you to adjust the exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and color balance of your video. Experiment with these tools to make your video look its best. You can also use color presets, which are pre-designed color looks that you can apply to your video with a single click. Premiere Pro has a library of built-in color presets, and you can also download or create your own. For more precise control, you can use the Curves panel within Lumetri Color to make fine-tuned adjustments to the colors in your video. Color grading is a creative process, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the look that best suits your video. If you are working with multiple clips, you can apply your color adjustments to all clips by creating an adjustment layer and applying the Lumetri Color effects to that layer. This saves you time and ensures consistency across your video. The more you work with color correction and grading, the better you will get, so practice makes perfect.

Working with Effects

Effects can add a lot of flair to your video. Premiere Pro has a vast library of effects that you can use, from simple visual adjustments to complex animations. You'll find effects in the Effects panel. You can add effects to your video clips by dragging them from the Effects panel onto your clips in the Timeline. Once an effect is applied, you can adjust its parameters in the Effect Controls panel. The Effect Controls panel is where you'll find all the settings for the effects you've added to a clip. Experiment with different effects to see what works best for your video. Some popular effects include blur, sharpening, and color adjustments. You can also keyframe the parameters of your effects to create animations. For example, you can keyframe the position of a clip to make it move across the screen. You can also add third-party effects to Premiere Pro. There is a whole world of third-party plugins available that can expand Premiere Pro's capabilities. Remember, effects should enhance your video, not distract from it. Use them sparingly, and choose effects that fit the overall style of your video.

Exporting Your Video

Once you are done editing your video, it's time to export it so you can share it with the world. Exporting is the process of creating a final video file that you can share on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or your own website. Go to File > Export > Media to open the Export Settings panel. In the Export Settings panel, you can choose your export settings, such as the format, codec, resolution, and frame rate. Choose a format that is compatible with your target platform. MP4 is a popular choice for online videos. Choose a codec that offers a good balance between quality and file size. H.264 is a widely used codec for online videos. Set the resolution and frame rate based on the requirements of your target platform. If you're uploading to YouTube, you can find recommended export settings on their website. You can also adjust the video bitrate to control the quality and file size of your video. A higher bitrate will result in a better-quality video but also a larger file size. Finally, click the "Export" button to start exporting your video. The export process can take some time, depending on the length of your video and your computer's processing power. Once the export is complete, you'll have a final video file that you can share with the world. You can customize the video settings such as resolution, frame rate, and other parameters to make the output file compatible with the destination platform. Remember to name your output file appropriately to help organize your videos.

Tips and Tricks for Premiere Pro 2019

To make your workflow even smoother and to maximize the features of Premiere Pro, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

Keyboard Shortcuts

Learning keyboard shortcuts can save you tons of time. Premiere Pro has a lot of keyboard shortcuts for common tasks, such as cutting clips, adding transitions, and adjusting volume. You can customize your keyboard shortcuts to fit your workflow. Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts to view and customize your shortcuts. Practice using keyboard shortcuts regularly to build muscle memory and speed up your editing process.

Project Organization

Organize your project files. Keep your project organized by using folders in the Project panel to group your media files. This helps you keep track of your assets and makes it easier to find what you need. Name your clips and sequences clearly. Use descriptive names for your clips and sequences to make it easier to understand your project. Use color-coding to differentiate between different types of clips.

Performance Optimization

To optimize your performance. Premiere Pro can be demanding on your computer's resources, especially when working with high-resolution video. Close any other unnecessary applications while you are editing to free up system resources. Use proxy files to improve performance. Proxy files are lower-resolution versions of your video clips that you use during the editing process. Premiere Pro will automatically switch to the original high-resolution files when you export your video. Adjust your playback resolution in the Program Monitor. Lowering the playback resolution can help to improve performance, especially when working with complex timelines.

Troubleshooting

Premiere Pro can sometimes encounter issues, so let's prepare ourselves. If Premiere Pro crashes, save your project frequently to avoid losing your work. Restart Premiere Pro and your computer. Delete the cache files. If Premiere Pro is running slowly, try clearing the cache files. Go to Edit > Preferences > Media Cache and click the "Delete" button. Update your graphics card drivers. Outdated graphics card drivers can cause performance issues or crashes. Check for updates on your graphics card manufacturer's website. If you are having trouble with a specific effect, try removing the effect and re-adding it. Check online forums and communities for solutions. If you encounter any issues, search online forums and communities. Other users may have encountered the same issue and found a solution.

Conclusion: Start Editing Now!

Well, guys, that's a wrap for this Premiere Pro 2019 tutorial. You've now got the foundational knowledge and skills to start creating your own amazing videos. This is just the beginning; there's always more to learn and discover. So, keep experimenting, keep practicing, and most importantly, have fun! Video editing is a skill that takes time and effort to develop, but with practice, you will be creating awesome videos in no time. If you have any questions or need further help, feel free to ask. Happy editing! You got this! Remember to always keep learning and exploring the software's capabilities. There are tons of online resources, tutorials, and communities where you can expand your knowledge and skills. Good luck, and go create something amazing! The key to mastering video editing is practice, so the more you use Premiere Pro, the better you will become. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; that's part of the learning process. Keep creating and enjoying the process. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and be creative. So, go out there and create some awesome videos! Remember to continually experiment with different techniques and styles to develop your own unique video editing approach. Have fun!