Hey guys! Ready to dive into the awesome world of video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro 2019? This tutorial is designed to get you up and running, whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills. We'll cover everything from the basics of setting up your project to more advanced techniques that will make your videos shine. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Getting Started with Premiere Pro 2019

Setting Up Your Project

Okay, first things first, let's launch Premiere Pro 2019 and create a new project. This is where all the magic begins! When you open the software, you'll see the start screen. Click on "New Project." A dialog box will pop up, prompting you to name your project and choose a location to save it. Choose a descriptive name that reflects the content of your video – this will save you a lot of headaches later on. For example, if you're editing a travel vlog about your trip to Bali, name it something like "Bali Vlog 2024."

Next, and this is super important, make sure you choose the right location to save your project files. Create a dedicated folder on your computer specifically for this project. This keeps everything organized and prevents you from losing files. Trust me, organization is key in video editing! Once you've named your project and chosen a location, click "OK."

Now, you'll see the New Sequence window. A sequence is essentially your timeline – the canvas where you'll arrange and edit your video clips, audio, and graphics. Premiere Pro offers a variety of sequence presets tailored to different video formats and resolutions. If you're unsure which preset to choose, don't sweat it! A good starting point is the "Digital SLR" > "1080p" > "DSLR 1080p24" preset. This preset is suitable for most online videos and provides a good balance between quality and file size. You can always adjust the sequence settings later if needed.

Click "OK" again, and boom! You're now in the main Premiere Pro interface. You'll see several panels, including the Project panel (where your media files will be stored), the Source Monitor (where you can preview your clips), the Program Monitor (where you can see your edited video), and the Timeline (where you'll do most of your editing work). Don't be intimidated by all the panels – we'll explore them in more detail as we go along. Congratulations, you've successfully set up your first project in Premiere Pro 2019!

Importing and Organizing Your Media

Alright, now that we've got our project set up, it's time to bring in the raw materials – your video clips, audio files, and graphics. Importing media into Premiere Pro is super easy. There are a few ways to do it, but here’s the most common method: Go to the Project panel (usually located in the bottom-left corner of the screen). Double-click in the empty space, and a file browser window will pop up. Navigate to the folder where your media files are stored, select the files you want to import, and click "Open." You can also import media by dragging and dropping files directly from your computer into the Project panel. Choose whichever method you find most convenient.

Once your media is imported, it's a good idea to organize it. This will make your editing workflow much smoother. In the Project panel, you can create bins (which are essentially folders) to group your media files. For example, you might create separate bins for video clips, audio files, and graphics. To create a new bin, click the "New Bin" icon at the bottom of the Project panel (it looks like a little folder). Name the bin something descriptive, like "Video Clips" or "Audio Tracks." Then, simply drag and drop your media files into the appropriate bins. This might seem like a small step, but trust me, it will save you tons of time and frustration in the long run.

Another useful tip is to rename your media files with descriptive names. Instead of relying on generic file names like "IMG_0001.MOV," rename your files to something more meaningful, like "Beach Sunset Shot" or "Interview with John." This will make it much easier to find the clips you need when you're editing. To rename a file, simply right-click on it in the Project panel and select "Rename." Type in the new name and press Enter. Boom! You're now a master of media organization in Premiere Pro 2019!

Basic Editing Techniques

Adding Clips to the Timeline

Okay, now for the fun part – adding clips to the timeline and starting to assemble your video! Find the Project Panel, and locate the video clip that you want to work with. Once you've found it, drag the clip from the Project panel onto the Timeline. You can drag it to any of the video or audio tracks.

Alternatively, you can use the Source Monitor to preview your clips and select specific portions to add to the timeline. Double-click a clip in the Project panel to open it in the Source Monitor. Use the playhead to scrub through the clip and find the section you want to use. Then, use the "In" and "Out" point markers (located below the Source Monitor) to mark the beginning and end of the section. Once you've selected your In and Out points, you can drag the video portion or the audio portion of the clip onto the Timeline. This is a great way to trim your clips before adding them to your project.

Basic Cuts and Trims

Now that you've got your clips on the timeline, it's time to start making some cuts and trims. This is where you'll refine your video and remove any unwanted footage. The Razor tool (represented by an icon that looks like a razor blade) is your best friend for making cuts. Select the Razor tool from the toolbar, then click on the timeline where you want to make a cut. This will split the clip into two separate segments. You can then select the unwanted segment and press the Delete key to remove it.

Trimming clips is another essential editing technique. To trim a clip, hover your mouse over the edge of the clip in the Timeline. Your cursor will change to a trim tool (a red bracket with an arrow). Click and drag the edge of the clip to shorten or lengthen it. You can trim the beginning or end of a clip, depending on which edge you drag. Another useful trimming tool is the Ripple Edit tool. This tool allows you to trim a clip and automatically shift the subsequent clips in the timeline to fill the gap. This is super handy for maintaining the overall timing of your video. To use the Ripple Edit tool, select it from the toolbar, then click and drag the edge of the clip you want to trim. Premiere Pro will automatically adjust the position of the other clips in the timeline to compensate for the change.

Adding Transitions

Transitions are a great way to smooth out the cuts between your clips and add a touch of visual flair to your video. Premiere Pro offers a wide variety of transitions, from simple dissolves to more complex wipes and fades. To add a transition, go to the Effects panel (usually located on the right side of the screen). Expand the "Video Transitions" category, and you'll see a list of available transitions. The most commonly used transition is the Cross Dissolve. To add a Cross Dissolve, simply drag it from the Effects panel onto the cut point between two clips in the Timeline. You can then adjust the duration of the transition by clicking and dragging the edges of the transition effect in the Timeline.

Experiment with different transitions to see what works best for your video. However, be careful not to overuse transitions, as they can become distracting. A good rule of thumb is to use transitions sparingly and only when they enhance the flow of your video. For example, a Cross Dissolve is perfect for softening a jump cut or creating a smooth transition between two related scenes. A more dramatic transition, like a Wipe or a Slide, might be appropriate for transitioning between completely different sections of your video. Remember, the goal is to make your video visually appealing and engaging, not to overwhelm your viewers with excessive effects.

Audio Editing Basics

Adjusting Audio Levels

Audio is just as important as video when it comes to creating a professional-looking video. Premiere Pro provides a range of tools for adjusting audio levels and ensuring that your audio sounds clear and balanced. The easiest way to adjust the audio level of a clip is to use the Audio Gain control. Select the clip in the Timeline, then go to the Effect Controls panel. Expand the "Audio" section, and you'll see the "Gain" control. You can adjust the gain by dragging the slider or by typing in a numerical value. Be careful not to boost the gain too much, as this can cause distortion.

Another useful tool for adjusting audio levels is the Audio Mixer. The Audio Mixer allows you to adjust the levels of individual tracks in your timeline, as well as the master track (which controls the overall audio output). To open the Audio Mixer, go to Window > Audio Track Mixer. You'll see a set of sliders, one for each track in your timeline. Use the sliders to adjust the levels of each track until you achieve a balanced mix. Pay attention to the VU meters (the little bars that light up in response to the audio signal). These meters will help you avoid clipping (when the audio signal exceeds the maximum level and becomes distorted). Aim to keep the levels peaking around -6dB.

Adding Music and Sound Effects

Adding music and sound effects can significantly enhance the impact of your video. Premiere Pro makes it easy to import and incorporate audio tracks into your projects. To import an audio file, simply drag it from your computer into the Project panel, just like you would with a video clip. Then, drag the audio file from the Project panel onto an audio track in the Timeline. You can then adjust the position and duration of the audio clip to match your video.

When adding music, be sure to choose a track that complements the mood and style of your video. Consider the tempo, instrumentation, and overall tone of the music. Also, be mindful of copyright issues. You can find royalty-free music and sound effects on websites. When using music or sound effects in your video, be sure to give credit to the original creators in your video description. This is not only ethical but also helps to support the artists and musicians who create the content you're using.

Exporting Your Video

Choosing the Right Settings

Alright, you've edited your video, added transitions, adjusted the audio, and now you're ready to share your masterpiece with the world! The final step is to export your video. This is where you'll convert your Premiere Pro project into a video file that can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or other platforms. To export your video, go to File > Export > Media. The Export Settings window will appear.

Choosing the right export settings is crucial for ensuring that your video looks its best. The most important setting is the Format. For most online videos, H.264 is the best choice. This format provides a good balance between video quality and file size. Next, choose a Preset. Premiere Pro offers a variety of presets tailored to different platforms and resolutions. For YouTube, the "YouTube 1080p Full HD" preset is a good starting point. You can also create your own custom presets if you have specific requirements.

Rendering and Uploading

Once you've chosen your export settings, click the "Export" button to begin rendering your video. Rendering is the process of converting your project into a video file. This can take some time, depending on the length and complexity of your video, as well as the speed of your computer. Premiere Pro will display a progress bar to indicate how much time is remaining. Once the rendering is complete, your video file will be saved to the location you specified in the Export Settings window.

Congratulations! You've successfully edited and exported your first video in Premiere Pro 2019. Now it's time to share your creation with the world! Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or your favorite social media platform. Be sure to write a compelling title and description, and add relevant tags to help people find your video. And most importantly, be proud of what you've accomplished! Video editing can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Keep practicing and experimenting, and you'll continue to improve your skills and create amazing videos. Have fun editing, and I can’t wait to see what you create!