5 Editing Techniques All Video Editors Should Know [Video]

Adobe Premiere is an impressive, monstrous piece of editing software that can be daunting for new users, but even seasoned professionals can sometimes use a refresher on some editing basics or learn a new technique for their favorite edit. SonduckFilm has five easy tips for Adobe Premiereusers that every editor should know.

Watch the video below, and maybe you'll learn a new way to work with Premiere.

Speed ramping

Use this easy method to change the speed for a portion of a video clip. You've probably seen this effect in use during sports shots or fashion videos. It involves using Time Remapping to designate two points within the clip, which will then allow you to drag that portion of the video to the speed you desire.

We have even more tips to help you master speed ramping.

Animating title text

This tutorial doesn't suggest using the animation tools but instead points to the Effects tab and the Transform tool. Using this allows for control of the text's motion blur because then you're able to designate a shutter angle.

Setting your keyframe interpolation will also smooth it significantly, as the video points out.

But what if you want to work with light text on a hot, bright background?

Compositing light text on bright footage

If you want light text on a light background, SonduckFilm has an easy, fast fix. Just lower the opacity of your background video, and maybe give it a blurred effect. The video will be darker and slightly less defined, the perfect backdrop for your light-colored titles.

Creating a smooth digital zoom

If you have a static shot to which you'd like to add motion and visual interest in post, you can use keyframes (specifically for position and scale) to digitally zoom into a point in the video clip. (Another good reason to shoot in high-res.)

Setting your own shutter angle, like you did with the animated text, will give the movement a natural blur.

Understanding exposure with Lumetri

The video finishes with a quick look at color correction and color grading, specifically through the use of Lumetri Scopes within Premiere Pro.

Lumetri Scopes allows you to see a waveform representation of the saturation and exposure of your video, or what parts of the video might be blown out. It's also handy for when you want to keep color consistent over several shots.

SonduckFilm points out that you generally want the waveform luminance levels to stay under 100 and above zero levels, and skin should fall at about 70.

If you want to take an even deeper dive into the Lumetri Color tools, we've got another tutorial for you.

What's next? Check out our other Adobe Premiere resources

You definitely need to know our editing workflow tips, and you can also learn about auto ducking and some essential keyboard shortcuts. Then, for fun, check out some free plugins from the editor of Sharknado 2.

Source: SonduckFilm