Introduction to Video Editing & Adobe Premiere Pro - Your First Step Into a Creative Career
You’ve made the decision to try out video editing! Perhaps something you saw on YouTube inspired you to give it a go; or you have recently seen a moving short film; or maybe you simply felt inspired by the fact that you could take raw footage and create something meaningful with it; whatever your reason for starting video editing — welcome!
You are about to enter into one of the most sought after creative skills for this decade, and the first day that you spend working on it will always be the most stimulating of your journey into video editing. So let’s breakdown everything from square one.
What Is Video Editing? Why Should I Care?
In simple terms, what video editing means is taking raw footage clips and editing them (putting them together, cutting them to size) so that they form a finished video project. Think about how you write an essay, gathering your ideas or thoughts (i.e. video clips), then putting them in an appropriate order (i.e. timeline) and finally taking away any pieces that are not worth putting into the final project (i.e. cutting the non-value parts/footage).
So why do you want to learn how to be a video editor? The reason is because there is so much work out there today needing a video editor either as an employee or a subcontractor. There are so many different outlets (YouTube channels, news stations, video production studios, advertising agencies, wedding coaters, organizations, businesses, etc.) that require the use of video editors.
That also includes video content providers like YouTube, Instagram Reels, and Netflix who provide you, as a consumer, with video content every second of the day. The greater the demand, the more job and self-employed opportunititites exist for talented editors.
If you are a student, this skill can be learnt without formally completing any college or secondary education because you can work on this skill until you find someone to hire you to do it, but you do need to know how to use the tools and have a suitable way of being guided through your journey to being a video editor.
Two Different Types Of Video Editors: Timeline-Based & Layer-Based Editors
Before you start using any of the video editing software, it is really helpful to understand what the two different types of video editing tools are.
Timeline Editors
They are the normal method of producing video material for the industry. In this type of editing tool, video clips are put onto a horizontal timeline and the video clips arranged in the order in which the video will be played — left to right. The way a story (beginning, middle and end) exists is how these types of tools are used for cutting, arranging and creating the video. All timeline editors (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro) use this format.
Layer-based editors
They are more similar to Photoshop's layers, in that video clips are created and used in layers stacked on top of each other. Adobe After Effects is a basic example of this type of editor. These types of editors are mainly used for producing motion graphics, visual effects, and compositing. Both Timeline and Stacked Layer Editors are typically used together while completing projects in a professional workflow.
If you are considering working as a professional video editor, the best place to start is with a Timeline Editor, such as Adobe Premiere Pro.
Installing / Setting up Adobe Premiere Pro
You can install Adobe Premiere Pro as part of your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. You can access it from the Adobe website. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements before downloading and installing the software (8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended), a sufficient video card, and enough storage to store your project files).
Once you have downloaded and installed the software, open Adobe Premiere Pro and be comfortable with the installation process — the interface might appear complicated at first, but it will quickly become second nature.
Understanding the Adobe Premiere Pro Interface
The best way to understand the interface of Adobe Premiere Pro is to think of it as an airplane cockpit. Each panel in Adobe Premiere Pro has a specific function performed by the panels when working with the software. Knowing how to use the panels will help you to feel comfortable when using Adobe Premiere Pro.
The Project Panel contains all your items (video, audio and image files) that you have imported. The Project Panel acts as a "storage room" for all of your imported files. With the Source Monitor, you can see and trim individual clips before you add them to the timeline. The Program Monitor allows you to see your finished edited sequence in real-time.
The Timeline is where you will edit, arrange your clips, layer your audio, and build your story. The Tools panel has all your editing tools, including the selection tool, razor tool (for cutting) and more. Finally, the Effects panel has transitions, color effects, and audio effects that can be dragged and dropped onto your clips.
During your first session, you should just click around on everything to get comfortable with where everything is located. Don't worry about remembering any key combinations on the first day.
Creating New Project and Sequence
When you first open Premiere Pro, you will be told to create a New Project. Give your project a name and choose where to save it. That's pretty simple.
Now, you will create your Sequence, which is essentially the canvas for your edit. When you create your Sequence, you will choose settings like frame rate (24 FPS for films, 30 FPS for standard), and resolution (1920 x 1080 is standard HD). A good rule of thumb for beginners — match your Sequence settings to your footage!Using the Timeline to Edit
As an editor, you will spend most of your time working in the timeline view when editing your videos. There are video tracks located above the audio tracks (i.e. V1, V2, V3, etc., on top of A1, A2, A3, etc.) in the timeline area. The scroll selector or the zoom slider can be used to zoom in and out of the timeline area, while the left and right arrows can be used to scroll through the timeline area.
To get started editing, import a simple video file (Go to the File Menu > Import Video), drag the video file from the Project View to the Timeline area below, and attempt to trim one side of the video file. By just doing this one small task (i.e. trimming, playing back, making adjustments) you will begin to develop your instincts for video editing.
Where to Find Free Learning for Video Editing?
A great resource for learning all the skills needed to edit videos is SkillWaala, an online learning platform that provides structured, beginner-level video-editing courses in 100% free formats. With no hidden costs or fees associated with completing any of the SkillWaala courses students can trust that they are going to receive value from the courses they complete.
In addition to providing free and no hidden fees to students, SkillWaala has committed to providing a free course to students regardless if they enroll or not. If you are a student who wants to build a real-life employable skill without having to pay anything, that's a guarantee you should take seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I start learning video editing if I don't have a fast computer?
If you have a computer with 8GB of RAM, you should be able to complete your beginner-level video editing projects using your computer. As your video editing projects become more complicated, having better hardware (i.e., processor and graphics card) may enhance your video editing experience and results, but you do not need to have a powerful computer to start learning how to edit videos.
Is Adobe Premiere Pro free?
Premiere Pro is part of Adobe Creative Cloud and is not free. However, a free trial of Premiere Pro is available. Many learning platforms, such as SkillWaala, offer to teach methods of editing on multiple free/affordable alternatives to Adobe Premiere.
How long does it usually take to learn how to edit videos?
With consistent practice for a period of about 2 weeks, basic video editing skills can be learned. Professionals can expect to spend 2-3 months building proficiency as video editors and/or completing video editing work.
What is the difference between Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects?
Premiere Pro is a video editor (timeline-based), while Adobe After Effects is a motion graphics and visual effects program (layer-based). Both software programs are used in tandem by professionals.
Can I get a job as a video editor with no degree?
Yes, almost all editors will get hired based on the quality of their work and their ability. A good way to get hired as an editor is to complete as many actual editing projects as an editor and share them with prospective clients/employers.
What are the types of jobs available to video editors?
Common career paths available to video editors include: editor for YouTube, content editor for social media, corporate video editor, post-production assistant for film/television, wedding videographer, and freelance editor.
Where can I find structured video editing courses for free?
SkillWaala is a great place to start SkillWaala provides structured courses to beginner video editors, with a written guarantee of zero cost/hidden fees, therefore, making it an ideal and accessible option for college and high school students.
