Hey guys! So, you're diving into the world of video editing and decided to give Adobe Premiere Pro 2019 a whirl? Awesome choice! It's a powerhouse, and while it might seem intimidating at first, trust me, you'll get the hang of it. This tutorial is designed to get you up and running quickly, covering the essentials so you can start creating amazing videos right away. We'll break down the interface, import footage, do some basic editing, add effects, and export your masterpiece. Let's jump right in!

Getting Started with Premiere Pro 2019

First things first, let's launch Premiere Pro 2019. When you open it for the first time, you'll be greeted with the Start screen. From here, you can create a new project, open an existing one, or access helpful resources. Creating a new project is super easy; just click on "New Project." A dialog box will pop up, prompting you to name your project and choose a location to save it. Make sure to pick a location you'll remember! Also, Premiere Pro 2019 allows you to customize various project settings right from the start, such as scratch disks and video rendering options. For most beginners, the default settings are perfectly fine. However, if you're working with specific types of footage or have particular output requirements, you might want to explore these settings a bit more. Don't worry too much about them for now; you can always adjust them later. Once you've named your project and selected a location, click "OK," and you'll be transported to the main Premiere Pro interface. Congratulations, you're officially ready to start editing!

Understanding the interface is crucial for a smooth editing experience. The Premiere Pro interface is organized into workspaces, each designed for specific tasks like editing, color correction, audio mixing, and effects. By default, you'll likely be in the Editing workspace, which is perfect for general video editing. The interface is divided into several panels, including the Project panel (where you import and organize your media), the Source Monitor (where you preview your clips), the Timeline (where you assemble your video), and the Program Monitor (where you watch your final edited video). Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these panels. You can customize the workspace to fit your preferences by rearranging, resizing, or even adding and removing panels. To switch between workspaces, go to Window > Workspaces and choose the one you want. Feel free to experiment with different workspaces to find the one that suits your workflow best. You can also save your own custom workspaces, which is a great way to optimize your editing environment. Remember, the goal is to create a workspace that feels comfortable and efficient for you.

Importing footage into Premiere Pro 2019 is the next essential step. There are several ways to bring your video clips, audio files, and images into your project. The easiest way is to use the Project panel. Simply double-click in the empty space within the Project panel, and a file explorer window will open, allowing you to select the files you want to import. Alternatively, you can go to File > Import and choose your files that way. You can also drag and drop files directly from your computer into the Project panel, which is often the quickest method. Premiere Pro supports a wide range of file formats, so you shouldn't have any trouble importing your footage. Once your files are imported, they'll appear in the Project panel, ready for you to use in your video. Organize your footage by creating bins (folders) within the Project panel to keep things tidy. This is especially helpful for larger projects with lots of media. You can create bins by clicking the New Bin icon at the bottom of the Project panel or by right-clicking in the panel and selecting New Bin. Name your bins descriptively, such as "Footage," "Audio," or "Images," to make it easier to find what you need. A well-organized project is a happy project!

Basic Editing Techniques

Alright, now that you've got your footage imported, let's get to the fun part: editing! The Timeline is where you'll be spending most of your time, as it's where you assemble your video. To start, drag a clip from the Project panel onto the Timeline. This will create a video track (V1) and an audio track (A1). You can add more video and audio tracks as needed by dragging additional clips onto the Timeline. The Timeline uses a layered system, so clips on higher tracks will appear in front of clips on lower tracks. This is useful for creating overlays, picture-in-picture effects, and more. Use the zoom slider at the bottom of the Timeline to zoom in for precise editing or zoom out to see the entire sequence. The playhead (the vertical line) indicates the current frame being displayed in the Program Monitor. You can move the playhead by clicking anywhere on the Timeline or by using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Practice navigating the Timeline to get comfortable with moving around your video.

Cutting and trimming clips are the bread and butter of video editing. Premiere Pro offers several tools for this purpose. The most common tool is the Razor tool (C), which allows you to make precise cuts in your clips. Select the Razor tool, then click on the Timeline where you want to make a cut. This will split the clip into two separate clips. To remove unwanted portions of a clip, use the Selection tool (V) to select the clip you want to remove, then press the Delete key. You can also trim the beginning or end of a clip by hovering your cursor over the edge of the clip in the Timeline until you see a red bracket. Click and drag the edge to shorten or lengthen the clip. For more precise trimming, use the Ripple Edit tool (B) or the Rolling Edit tool (N). The Ripple Edit tool adjusts the duration of a clip and automatically shifts subsequent clips to fill the gap, while the Rolling Edit tool adjusts the duration of two adjacent clips simultaneously, keeping the overall sequence length the same. Experiment with these tools to find the ones that work best for your editing style. Precise cutting and trimming can make a huge difference in the pacing and flow of your video.

Adding transitions between clips can create a smoother and more professional look. Premiere Pro comes with a wide variety of transitions, including dissolves, wipes, and fades. To add a transition, go to the Effects panel (Window > Effects) and expand the Video Transitions folder. Browse through the different transition categories and find one you like. The Cross Dissolve is a classic and versatile transition that works well in most situations. To apply a transition, simply drag it from the Effects panel onto the beginning or end of a clip in the Timeline, or between two clips. You can adjust the duration and alignment of the transition by clicking on it in the Timeline and modifying the settings in the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls). Experiment with different transitions to see how they affect the look and feel of your video. However, be careful not to overuse transitions, as too many can be distracting. A subtle transition is often more effective than a flashy one. Use transitions to enhance the storytelling, not to overshadow it.

Adding Effects and Color Correction

Now, let's spice things up with some effects! Premiere Pro has a ton of built-in video effects that can transform the look of your footage. To add an effect, go to the Effects panel (Window > Effects) and expand the Video Effects folder. Browse through the different effect categories and find one you want to try. The Transform effects are particularly useful for adjusting the position, scale, rotation, and opacity of your clips. The Blur & Sharpen effects can be used to soften or sharpen your footage. To apply an effect, simply drag it from the Effects panel onto a clip in the Timeline. Once the effect is applied, you can adjust its settings in the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls). Experiment with different effects and settings to achieve the desired look. Be mindful of the processing power required for certain effects, as they can slow down your editing workflow. If you experience performance issues, try rendering the affected clips to improve playback. Remember, effects should enhance your video, not distract from it. Use them sparingly and creatively to add visual interest and polish to your project.

Color correction is a crucial step in the video editing process. It can help you balance the colors in your footage, fix exposure issues, and create a consistent look and feel. Premiere Pro offers several tools for color correction, including the Lumetri Color panel (Window > Lumetri Color). The Lumetri Color panel provides a comprehensive set of controls for adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, and color temperature. You can also use the Creative tab to apply pre-made looks or create your own custom looks. The Curves tab allows you to make precise adjustments to the color channels in your footage. Start by balancing the exposure and contrast of your clips. Use the Basic Correction controls to adjust the white balance and exposure settings. Then, use the Creative tab to add a stylistic look to your video. Finally, use the Curves tab to fine-tune the colors and create a polished final product. Color correction can be a complex process, but even basic adjustments can make a big difference in the overall quality of your video. Practice color correction on different types of footage to develop your skills and learn how to achieve the looks you want.

Exporting Your Video

Okay, you've edited your video, added effects, and color corrected it to perfection. Now it's time to export your masterpiece! To export your video, go to File > Export > Media. This will open the Export Settings dialog box. In the Export Settings dialog box, you can choose the export format, codec, resolution, frame rate, and other settings for your video. The best export settings will depend on where you plan to share your video. For YouTube and Vimeo, the H.264 format is a good choice, with a resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) and a frame rate of 24 or 30 fps. For other platforms, you may need to adjust the settings accordingly. Under the Preset dropdown menu, you can choose from a variety of pre-configured export settings that are optimized for different platforms. Once you've chosen your export settings, click the Export button to start the export process. Premiere Pro will then render your video and save it to the location you specified. The export time will depend on the length and complexity of your video, as well as the processing power of your computer. Once the export is complete, you can upload your video to your favorite platform and share it with the world! Congratulations, you've successfully edited and exported a video in Adobe Premiere Pro 2019!

Conclusion

And there you have it! A quick start guide to Adobe Premiere Pro 2019. We've covered the basics, from setting up your project to importing footage, editing, adding effects, color correction, and exporting your final video. Of course, there's a whole lot more to learn, but this should give you a solid foundation to build upon. Don't be afraid to experiment, try new things, and explore the vast array of features that Premiere Pro has to offer. The more you practice, the better you'll become. Happy editing, and I can't wait to see what amazing videos you create!