A guide to video editing techniques in Premiere Pro software

1. Workshop: Video
Editing

2. Changing the Interface
The most basic element of using Premiere Pro should also be the first thing you
address: The layout of your workspace. Altering this to suit your tastes is an
essential way to ease yourself into the process.
The software uses a basic click-and-drag system. So, to adjust the layout of tabs
and windows, simply click and drag the window to the desired location.
Here, you can see that the
user is able to shift the audio
mixer tab….
… by clicking and
dragging it to the main
workspace…
… where it snaps to the new
location for use.

3. Cutting Material
Cutting material is a core tenant of the editing process to
create a cohesive project. In order to cut a sequence, click to
select it and press the “Delete” key, removing it from the
timeline. Right-clicking the void left in its place with give
the option of a “Ripple Delete”, shifting the timeline to fill
the gap, instead of forcing you to manually drag each
subsequent shot back in the timeline.

4. Dissolve Transitions
Dissolves can serve many purposes, the most common
being to convey the passage of time, making it a useful tool
for effect. Incorporating one into an existing sequence also
utilises the click-and-drag method which you’re surely used
to by now.
Under the Effects tab in the
(default) left-hand menu, select
the Video Transitions folder…
… Open it and select the Cross
Dissolve option and drag it…
… To the cut between the two
sequences to create the
transition between the two.

5. In/Out Points
The use of In/Out points allows you to select a precise piece
of a larger sequence for editing, for instance, using the
Extract or Lift tools for differing effects.
To input these points, click the In
Point icon on the video monitor panel
(top right-hand) and when the
sequence reaches the desired point,
press the Out Point icon.
In Point
Out Point

6. Extracts/Lifts
As stated before, In Points and Out Points are usually used
in conjunction with the Extract and Lift options in order to
remove certain sections of a whole shot.
Firstly, you select the
section you wish to
remove using the
In/Out point system.
Then click which
of the two
options you wish
from the Monitor
tab.
Using Extract will
remove the
portion and
perform a Ripple
Delete
automatically.
Using Lift will
simply remove
the portion,
leaving a
timeline gap.

7. Rate Stretch
The Rate Stretch tool slows down a video, stretching the
frames over a longer area of the timeline that they initially
occupy, allowing you to fill more time with a single
sequence.
To use the Rate Stretch tool, hold your
cursor over the end of the sequence you
wish to extend until it looks like this….
Once that is so, click and drag the
sequence across the timeline to fill a
certain section. Note the percentage read-
out that will increase from 100% to
whatever point you increase it to.