Basic Knowledge Needed to Use Premiere
As a tutor, I’ve noticed a lot of students are terrified at the prospect of using Adobe Premiere. To help quell their fears, I wanted to create a guide with the absolute basics someone needs to successfully edit a project on the platform.
The above image showcases the minimum students should know when using Premiere.
The Source Monitor shows what is double-clicked on in the Media Browser. The Media Browser holds all the footage the user imported. Students can switch between the Media Browser and the Effects panel.
The Effects panel allows students to add effects to their video project. The main effect students will use is the Video Transitions, showcased above. These let students transition between some of their clips similar to how PowerPoint slides transition.
Above is the Program Monitor. This shows the video on your Timeline. When you play the video on your Timeline, it will show up here.
The Timeline is where you will build your project. Footage from the Source Monitor or Media Browser is added to the Timeline. The “V1” or “A2” showcases the video and audio Layers of the project. Video or images can be stacked on the layers to help create the project, as well as voice overs and music for the audio.
To the left is the Audio. This is how loud your video is. Maintaining your video’s volume between -18 db to -6 db will result in the best audio. Audio will be underneath the video in the “A” layers and may be edited the same as video.
To the left are your Tools. The most important Tools are the blue triangle, which acts as a mouse, the Razor Tool (shaped like a razor blade) which allows one to cut or split their footage, the Pen Tool (Shaped like a pen nib) allows users to edit the Audio of the clip and the Type Tool (T) which allows the user to type on screen. Each are accessed through a simple click.
This is information provides the very foundation of Premiere, as the program has so much more to offer. Students can create effective videos knowing this initial information, yet have plenty of room to learn more if they desire.
Computers with Adobe Premiere are available in the Digital Scholarship Lab in the basement of Raynor Library. COMM students also have access through the Wakerly Media Lab in Johnston Hall.
If you would like to learn more about Premiere, contact the Digital Scholarship Lab for a consultation. Digital Media Tutors are available Monday — Friday from 4:00–8:00 pm and would be more than happy to help those needing assistance or desiring to learn the program.
