In today’s digital world, video has become an increasingly accessible and widespread way to connect with audiences. Between social media posts, YouTube videos, and video advertisements, it has never been easier to use video to forge powerful first impressions with an audience. However, as video has become more and more common, the standard for video editing quality keeps increasing. To meet this need, professionals must rely on the latest technical tools to ensure that their videos stand out from the crowd—a need met by Adobe Premiere Pro.
Included as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud software bundle, Premiere Pro is one of the top video editing programs available to professionals and hobbyists today. With its easy-to-use and powerful timeline-based editing flow, Premiere Pro users can quickly and easily combine raw video, text, audio, and motion graphics effects to create stunning video content. This has made Premiere Pro one of the industry-leading programs for video editing; at social media-focused creative agencies and film and television studios alike, there’s a good chance you’ll find Premiere Pro at work.
This program is known for its excellent organizational interface, which is an invaluable asset in a process dealing with hundreds of moving files. The organization revolves around folders, bins, and clearly delineated work panels. Importing files is also a cinch, and Premiere will display detailed thumbnails of each one for quick and easy recognition. The application is also known for its compatibility with Adobe After Effects. This cross-compatibility is incredibly useful, allowing users to create extensive motion graphics projects within After Effects and edit them in Premiere Pro. Should they need to alter the After Effects file, it will automatically update within Premiere Pro.
History of Video Editing and Premiere Pro
Today, almost all video editing is done digitally, with a program like Premiere Pro. It is something that almost anyone can do; you can even edit videos on your mobile phone. However, digital video editing is actually a relatively new process, and its easy accessibility is an even more recent development. The first video editing–in the early 1900s–was done by cutting strips of film and taping them back together in the desired sequence. This is known as linear editing. Non-linear digital editing, where editors can make changes to any part of the video, wasn’t possible until the 1980s, when the first editing software was created.
Adobe Premiere was one of the first non-linear editing programs, and it was launched in 1991. In the beginning, it was only available for the Mac operating system. Subsequent versions were only available for Windows, and then in 2007, Adobe launched a version that worked with both Windows and Mac. In 2003 the program was renamed Premiere Pro. In 2011, Adobe moved from selling physical copies of the software, to the Adobe Creative Cloud system.
Adobe explains that the release of Premiere Pro was part of a revolution in video editing, where the editing process suddenly became accessible to the average person. It says, “Instead of a traditional video editing system composed of expensive hardware, Premiere was software-only and could run on an affordable computer. With Adobe Premiere the user could place clips on the timeline, add effects, transitions, and a soundtrack. It looks simple by today’s standards, but it opened the door to anyone who wanted to learn the art of visual storytelling.” Since then, Premiere Pro has gone through many changes, giving editors of all experience levels a continually expanding range of tools.
Premiere Pro Careers: Video Editors, Animators, and Motion Graphics Designers
Premiere Pro is a versatile program that can be used in many types of video projects, and Premiere Pro-related careers range from jobs in professional film studios and on television sets, to working for online content creation sites and personal YouTube channels. The program’s depth of features and ease of use make it especially popular amongst small-time content creators handling the editing process of their own projects. As one of the leading programs for video editing available on the marketplace today, Premiere Pro is an important cornerstone for anyone aspiring to work in a career that involves video editing. While learning the software alone may not be enough to establish a new career, combining Premiere Pro expertise with knowledge of video and storytelling principles is a great way to jump-start a video-related career.
One of the most common jobs that involves using Premiere Pro is video editing. Video Editors combine video, audio, and special effects into a format that entertains viewers or gives them a certain message. They do things like looking through raw footage for clips, rearranging content, and adding audio and special effects to video content. Video Editors work in a wide range of industries. People often associate the job with film and television, and this is a common video editing industry, however, video editing is also used to create content for a wide range of other media such as websites, social media, and advertising. In addition to Video Editor, other job titles that involve editing video content include Content Creator and Social Media Manager.
Premiere Pro is also utilized in animation and motion graphics, by professionals such as 2D Animators, 3D Animators, and Motion Graphics Designers. Animators create animated content for things like video games, commercials, websites, and television shows. Motion graphics is a type of animation where artists take static design elements and give them animation and movement. It is typically less focused on telling a story than other types of animation. Motion graphics can be found in films and television, in video games, and on websites.
What’s It Like to Work As a Video Editor?
Collaboration with Other People
Video editing often includes collaboration with other people, and one Video Editor explains that editors need to learn to be a part of a collaborative process. He says, “Video editing is a collaborative process and editors often need to make changes based on feedback from clients or other stakeholders.” In addition, he adds, editors often need to learn to balance the needs of varying team members, in addition to their own artistic integrity. He says, “It can be challenging to incorporate these revisions while still maintaining the overall vision and quality of the project.”
Creativity
Video editing is not just about having the technical skills to edit. It also involves a lot of creativity. Premiere Pro and other editing programs give editors a wide range of tools that allow a lot of creativity, and many people refer to video editing as an art form. However, as Jenni McCormick, executive director of the American Cinema Editors explains, what makes this type of art unique is that in many cases the audience will be unaware of the art that went into it. “It’s meant to be an invisible art, ” she says, “It is like a puzzle, putting a story together based on what footage you have.”
Constantly Learning
The field of video editing constantly changes as technology improves and makes more and more things possible. This means that as a Video Editor, you’ll always be learning something new. LinkedIn explains that this is actually a requirement of the job. It says, “Video editing is a dynamic and creative skill that requires constant learning and adaptation. As technology and trends evolve, so do the demands and expectations of clients and audiences.” Most people, however, enjoy this aspect of video editing because it means that things never get boring. You can learn new things by taking a class, but you can also utilize free online resources, read industry news, and network with other Video Editors.
Problem-Solving
Video editing also involves problem-solving. One Editor argues that problem-solving skills are actually one of the most important things for a successful Video Editor because there will always be frustrating problems to solve in this profession. He says, “I think one of the skills that undoubtedly needs to be instilled in a Video Editor is problem-solving. Very often we can get bogged down by a shot that wasn’t captured correctly, a piece of audio that is corrupted/missing, or maybe that shadow being cast on the subject is too noticeable. In cases like these, we have to be able to problem-solve and move on with the edit as best we can.”
Trying New Things
Working as a Video Editor also involves trying new things. This is a great way to create innovative content. It is also a good way to learn more about your craft. One editor advises that editors don’t just stick to the skill set that they are comfortable with, but instead “try on all hats” in the industry. He says, “Don’t just edit, make your own projects. Shoot, direct, produce, write. If you play an instrument, learn about audio engineering. Compose. Mix. It all helps. Look to gain perspective on other people’s job roles and how a project comes together.” He explains that by exploring all these other aspects of the industry you’ll learn how to be a better editor, solve problems, and work effectively with other people.
How Does Premiere Pro Differ from Comparable Applications?
There are a number of other video editing programs out there, and opinions on which is best vary widely. For many people, the choice is a matter of style and preference. Final Cut Pro is one alternative to Premiere Pro. It is an Apple application, and like Premiere Pro, is very popular among Video Editors. There are many similarities between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, however, there are also some differences. One is the timeline; Premiere Pro uses a traditional timeline, while Final Cut Pro uses a Magnetic Timeline. Another difference is the interface. Final Cut Pro is extremely user-friendly, while Premiere Pro can seem more overwhelming for people who don’t have a lot of video editing experience. Another major difference between the two is that, unlike Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro can only be used on Mac computers. Finally, the two also have different pricing systems: Final Cut Pro is offered at a flat rate of $299, while Premiere Pro is available at a subscription rate of about $20 per month.
DaVinci Resolve is another popular video editing program. Like Final Cut Pro, it has many similarities with Premiere Pro, and also some differences. DaVinci Resolve was originally created for color correction, and many people say that it has an edge over Premiere Pro in this capacity. Another difference between the two is that Premiere Pro doesn’t have a lot of motion graphics editing ability, instead, users do this in After Effects and then sync it with Premiere Pro. In contrast, DaVinci Resolve has Fusion, which is a built-in tool that allows users to edit motion graphics. When it comes to regular video editing tools, however, some people prefer Premiere Pro. Finally, there is a significant cost difference between the two; while Premiere Pro costs about $20 per month, there is a standard version of DaVinci Resolve that is free. The Studio edition, which has more features, is available for a one-time fee of $299.
Can I Learn Premiere Pro Online for Free?
The internet contains a wealth of free Premiere Pro learning resources, so it is definitely possible to learn something about this application for free. For instance, the Adobe website has lots of short, free tutorials on subjects like creating new sequences, adding transitions, and making color adjustments. You can also find many free learning options on other websites like YouTube. However, most of these free resources are created to help you learn a few new skills or troubleshoot a particular problem, not give you a comprehensive Premiere Pro education.
If you want to truly learn how to use all the features of Premiere Pro, you’ll probably need to invest in a paid class. With a paid class, you’ll get instruction and feedback from an expert who can guide you through the learning process. In a LinkedIn post, one person compares free classes to getting a library membership, while he says paid classes are like being admitted to a top-class university. He explains that when you take free classes, you get access to a lot of information, but you don’t get much guidance on how to use it, and don’t have any way to get answers to questions other than running a Google search. He says, “When you have to rely so much on yourself, without social support or inspiration, you know that it is not going to end well, 99.9% of the time.” In contrast, he says, with paid classes, you get a structured curriculum, and a professional who can guide you through the learning process.
Is It Worth It to Attend a Premiere Pro Course?
Careers that involve using Premiere Pro have higher-than-average annual salaries, and strong future job outlooks, meaning that a Premiere Pro course is likely to be a smart investment in your future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) is a government agency that measures and reports on labor market activity. It finds that Film and Video Editors earn just over $60,000 per year on average. This is more than the national average for all jobs, which is only about $46,000. The agency also predicts stable job growth in this industry. Between 2022 and 2032, it calculates that employment in these occupations will increase by 7 percent, which is higher than the average job growth rate of 3 percent.
According to the BLS data, California employs the most Film and Video Editors in the country by far, with more than 10,000 people, the majority of them in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is followed by New York, with about 6,000 people employed. Florida, Texas, and New Jersey come next, however, their overall employment numbers are much smaller. Annual mean wages for this profession are also highest in New York and California; close to $115,000 in New York, and more than $90,000 in California. New Hampshire, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia all pay more than $80,000 per year.
Motion Graphics Designers and Animators also use Premiere Pro, and the BLS groups these in a category called Special Effects Artists and Animators. According to the BLS data, Special Effects Artists and Animators have much higher median pay than average, at close to $100,000, and projected job growth for this occupation over the next ten years is 8 percent. The agency explains the reasons for this growth. It says, “Projected employment growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television. Consumer demand will continue for more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and three-dimensional movies.” In addition, it says, demand for graphics for mobile devices will generate a significant number of jobs.
California and Washington employ the most Special Effects Artists and Animators, according to the BLS. New York, Florida, and Georgia also make the list of states with the highest employment levels for this profession. California, New Jersey, and New York pay the highest salaries. The average salary in California is almost $135,000, in New Jersey, it is nearly $105,000, and in New York, it is about $100,000.
In addition to achieving a higher-than-average income and job security, another reason to learn Premiere Pro is to make your life as a Video Editor easier. Video editing is a complex and time-consuming process. As one editor explains, “Video editing is more complex than you might realize. It’s easy to push a record button, but video editing requires software expertise and lots of patience.... Every 30 seconds of footage can take 1 to 3 hours of editing. That means that a basic two-minute video will be 4-7 hours of editing.” If you don’t know how to use your editing software, this already lengthy process is likely to take even longer.
What Will You Learn in a Premiere Pro Course?
In a beginner course, students learn basic editing tools and video editing concepts. Frame rates, video resolutions, and aspect ratios are usually covered. Students also learn how to import media, keep it organized, and export final videos to deliver to the client or upload to social media or video platforms such as YouTube. They can create title sequences such as footage fading into the rest of the video with a simple drag-and-drop cross-dissolve transition. Animation clips are placed on top of the footage for some visual interest.
Intermediate classes teach three-point editing, allowing students to cut up clips and insert them into longer video sequences. Students are also instructed in more complex visual effects, and they learn how to work with audio, and the details of color correction. Intermediate projects include creating title sequences that are composed of several clips knit together with different transitions between each. Audio and motion graphics are placed on top to create a visually rich aesthetic.
Advanced courses cover multi-camera editing and focus on integrating After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator into the video editing workflow. With Dynamic Link, editors can update their source footage in other Adobe programs and have it automatically change within Premiere. Students also learn advanced title sequences with multiple footage angles such as a figure walking through a building with different camera shots. Visual effects are applied, as well as animated graphics from Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects. Audio mixing is added in addition, from narration to music. An advanced class will typically also cover freezing and time editing footage, and how to utilize effects and transitions to create seamless edits to emphasize and accentuate the stories students want to tell.
What Specific Classes Can You Take?
As video editing has become an increasingly in-demand skill, a number of different ways to learn the skill have appeared. From in-person classes to online workshops and bootcamps, the options available to learners today can be dizzying. To help you choose the best class for your learning style, Noble Desktop has created a tool that allows users to compare in-person and online Premiere Pro classes available in their area.
As a leading online and in-person tech education provider for over 30 years, Noble Desktop offers virtual Premiere Pro classes that have various time commitment levels. Premiere Pro in a Day is a short class for students who want to learn the program basics. It covers organizing projects, creating sequences, fixing audio and color, adding B-roll, animating images, editing clips, adding lower third titles, and exporting a final video. Tuition is $425.
The ||CPN730|| is a longer class that covers everything users need to know to start making their own videos easily. Students learn how to use Premiere Pro to add cuts and transitions between shots, sync up and correct audio, correct color in the footage, and incorporate After Effects assets in Premiere Pro. This course serves as an ideal introduction to Premiere Pro, and by the end of the course, students will be ready to start editing their video content. There are 18 hours of instruction, and tuition is $975.
Another Noble option is a comprehensive certificate program such as the Motion Graphics Certificate or the ||CPN876||, which cover Premiere Pro skills and the other masteries needed to become a proficient Video Editor or motion graphics artist. These classes are especially good for learners looking to explore a wide variety of Premiere Pro-related careers in the future, including work as a professional Video Editor or Motion Graphics Artist. In each class, students pair Premiere Pro training with Adobe After Effects training. The Motion Graphics Certificate course focuses more on digital animation and effects skills, while the ||CPN876|| focuses more on the technical aspects of film editing. Both programs run for two months. The Motion Graphics Certificate costs $3,495 and the ||CPN876|| costs $2,995.
headTrix, Inc. Offers a pair of Premiere Pro classes (Premiere Pro Iand Premiere Pro II) for beginner and advanced students looking to learn the program. This course offers students the chance to get hands-on video editing experience and receive guided instruction in using Premiere Pro to accomplish a variety of editing tasks. In this set of courses, students will learn how to cut footage together using Premiere Pro, modify color and audio, and prepare files for publication or integration with After Effects. Each of these classes runs for two days. The beginner class costs $595, while tuition for the more advanced class is $645.
Lumenbrite Digital Design Training has a five-day class called ||CPN732||, which is designed to take students from a beginner to an intermediate level. The curriculum for this class includes importing and exporting media, incorporating different image formats, and creating titles, credits, and animations. Participants also learn to edit audio, and to use more advanced tools like slip and slide edits. In addition, the instructor shares best practices and common pitfalls. Tuition for the bootcamp is $1,995.
Certstaffix Training is another school that offers Premiere Pro training. Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2022) Course is a three-day class that is designed for beginners. Students learn to add audio, create transitions, add effects, and produce titles. The class also covers sweetening and mixing sound, compositing footage, adjusting color, and advanced editing techniques. It costs $1,330.
For students who want to learn both Premiere Pro and After Effects, Ledet Training offers a course called Adobe Video Professional Bootcamp. This course is appropriate for beginners and is a combination of the Premiere 101 and After Effects 101 classes. Tuition is $2,199, and there are five class sessions. Students learn to create projects in Premiere Pro using skills like three-point editing, creating transitions, and adding effects. They also learn to use After Effects to create motion graphics and special effects. In addition, instructors share productivity shortcuts and common pitfalls to avoid.
An even more comprehensive class option is the Motion Design Certificate at the Parsons School of Design, a top design school based in New York. This course is designed for aspiring designers and filmmakers. There are three required courses in the certificate program. Storytelling for Time-Based Designers helps designers develop storytelling and conceptual skills. Motion Design 1 covers foundational skills in Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, and Premiere Pro. Motion Design 2 is focused on learning advanced techniques, and helping. The class costs $2,400.
How Long Will It Take to Learn Premiere Pro?
The amount of time it takes to learn Premiere Pro depends on a number of different factors. If you already have experience with video editing software, you’re likely to learn more quickly. If you devote a lot of time to learning and practicing, your learning process is also likely to be quicker. In general, though, most people say that you can learn the basics in a few days, but mastering the program is likely to take months or even years. One person comments, “There are so many features, that getting started with Premiere Pro involves a bit of a learning curve, and some editors use the software for years without discovering all of what it can do.”
How Hard is It to Learn Premiere Pro?
Premiere Pro has a reputation for looking intimidating to beginning users because of the huge variety of features that it has. However, many people say that once you start learning, this application is not as difficult as it looks. One user says, “The most surprising thing for me was the fact that it is actually a lot more straightforward than it first appears.” However, users also say that while it’s easier than you might think to master the Premiere Pro basics, really understanding how to use all of the application’s features takes a lot longer. One filmmaker comments, “Adobe Premiere is one of those easy-to-learn, hard-to-master programs.” Learning Premiere Pro is likely to be easier if you already know something about video editing, or if you know how to use another Adobe application.
What Should You Consider Learning Alongside Premiere Pro?
Other Video Editing Skills
Learning to become a Video Editor will require more than just learning to cut film and add effects using Premiere Pro. Video editing is a complex, technical art form that requires practitioners to have a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the language of cinema. Edits create meaning in motion pictures, perhaps more so than any other aspect of the filmmaking process. Professional Premiere Pro users will need to understand how the different cuts and transitions work and why cutting between two shots changes those two individual shots. Video editing is also a technical skill that requires an eye for detail. Video Editors are responsible for ensuring that shots line up properly, that cuts aren’t jarring, and that continuity is maintained between shots and scenes. Finally, Video Editors need to be able to work alongside other creatives such as directors, producers, writers, and on-screen talent.
After Effects
Because After Effects and Premiere Pro are both Adobe products, they work seamlessly together, and many Video Editors work with both applications. As a result, if you’re planning to work with Premiere Pro, it can also be helpful to learn After Effects. After Effects is a versatile motion graphics and compositing program, and can easily be used back and forth during video editing. Users can start a project in After Effects, import it into Premiere, update it as needed, and then send the finished edited footage back into After Effects for some final effects. This compatibility allows users to enjoy a flexible, on-the-fly creative approach that allows for an easier workflow and less hassle.
Animation Concepts
If the content you will be editing includes animated content, it can be helpful to learn some basic animation concepts. For example, people who work with animation need to understand physics, and how it affects the way that objects and characters move in an animated world. They also need to understand how perspective, contrast, and lighting work together in a scene. Understanding details like this can help you create more believable videos.
How Can I Choose a Premiere Pro Class?
If you’re trying to choose a Premiere Pro class, and you’re not sure where to start, it can be helpful to start by thinking about how much time and money you have to invest in your education, and what type of training you are looking for. Premiere Pro classes come in a variety of different training formats and lengths of classes. These vary in the level of support you receive from the instructor, how much flexibility the class provides, the time you need to invest, and tuition costs. The most common formats are in-person, live online, and on-demand. You’ll also find different class lengths, ranging from short, introductory courses that only take a day or two to complete, to more comprehensive certificate programs or bootcamps that can take weeks or even months to finish.
In order to find the Premiere Pro class that is the best fit for your needs, you should also spend time researching all of the different schools and classes available to you. You can do this by reading course descriptions and syllabi on the school websites. Another great way to gain more insight into the different classes and schools is to read student reviews, which are available online for most schools.
In-Person Premiere Pro Classes
Some learners may prefer to master this program in the traditional learning environment of an in-person class. These programs are ideal for students looking to engage directly with their instructor in a classroom setting tailored to meet their learning needs. In an in-person class, students are able to work directly with their instructor and their classmates, which can be very important when learning a video editing application, since it can be such a collaborative process. Students are also able to receive personalized feedback on their work, which can help them better understand the technical aspects of video editing (the difference between a correct cut and a poor cut can be a matter of frames). The drawback to these classes is that students can only enroll in classes they can physically commute to, which can be limiting for students who aren’t located in major cities where there are a lot of training centers.
Live Online (Virtual) Premiere Pro Classes
Learners interested in Premiere Pro should also consider the benefits that a virtual class can offer them. In addition to providing the same high level of instruction traditionally offered by in-person classes, virtual courses allow students to attend lectures and complete assignments entirely remotely. Live instructors still teach these classes, and can provide students with personalized feedback and assistance on their Premiere Pro lessons. In addition, virtual classes let students learn Premiere Pro on their own devices, which can be a boon for students hoping to work on editing personal projects. The drawback to these classes is that students need to provide the software, which can be difficult, especially since they will need a device that can run Premiere Pro and a live online class simultaneously.
On-Demand Premiere Pro Classes
A third class option is an on-demand class. This is the most flexible option, since it is asynchronous and students can work at their own pace. Students who have a busy schedule often prefer the on-demand format because it allows them to stop and start whenever they need to. On-demand classes also tend to be less expensive because there is no live instructor. To be successful with this format, students do need to be focused and self-motivated, so this may not be the best choice for students who aren’t good at working independently.
Corporate & Onsite Training for Companies and Employees
For companies interested in having employees who are skilled in Premiere Pro, Noble Desktop offers onsite and virtual Premiere Pro training. Experienced instructors can teach Premiere Pro skills either at your office or live online via Zoom. Participants get comprehensive support materials such as handouts and access to premium training videos. Noble also offers group vouchers for purchase, which can be used to let employees enroll in Premiere Pro classes individually. There is a discount with bulk purchases. Contact NobleDesktop for more information about corporate training.