Social Media Video Production Lesson 3 Notes

Lesson 3: Editing Basics & Story

Learning Outcomes

The following objectives define the curriculum for Lesson 3:

  • Organize Project Media: Learn to set up a basic editing workflow within Adobe Premiere Pro.

  • Edit a Short Sequence: Practice selecting and arranging clips based on a provided script.

  • Evaluate Editing Choices: Compare different edited versions of a sequence to understand and evaluate how specific editing decisions impact pacing, mood, and meaning.

Organizing Your Project Files

Proper organization is critical before starting any work in Adobe Premiere Pro to avoid a messy project that becomes difficult to manage, fix, or edit.

The Main Project Folder

Create a main project folder on a local directory on the computer. A recommended naming convention is: T257_Lesson03_YourName.

Internal Folder Structure

Inside the main project folder, create four specific sub-folders:

  • 01 Footage: Contains all raw video clips.

  • 02 Audio: Contains music, voiceovers, and sound effects.

  • 03 Graphics: Contains photos and graphics.

  • 04 Exports: Used for saving final rendered videos.

Saving the Project File

Save the Premiere project file (with the .prproj extension) directly inside the main project folder. Do not save it inside any of the sub-folders.

Critical Caution: File Storage Errors

Do not save projects on the Desktop or in OneDrive folders. Because these locations are auto-synced, they frequently cause:

  • Missing files.

  • Slow software performance.

  • Broken or corrupted project files.

Basic Editing Workflow

The editing process follows a linear progression of five stages:

  1. Import: Bringing your raw files into Adobe Premiere Pro.

  2. Organize: Grouping files into bins for easy access.

  3. Assemble: Placing clips into a sequence on the timeline.

  4. Refine: Trimming clips and adding simple text to polish the sequence.

  5. Export: Rendering the final video for distribution.

Standard Video Format Settings

Unless otherwise stated, all edits for this module and throughout the diploma must be exported using the following specifications:

  • File Format: MP4

  • Codec: H.264

  • Resolution: 1920×10801920 \times 1080 (HD 1080p)

  • Frame Rate: 25 fps25\,\text{fps}

These settings ensure the video is widely compatible while maintaining high quality and a manageable file size.

Project Setup in Adobe Premiere Pro

Creating a New Project

  • Click New Project on the welcome screen.

  • Provide a clear, descriptive name.

  • Set the save location to the local folder created during the organization phase.

  • Initial default settings can generally be left as is; click OK to open the workspace.

Importing Media

  • Locate the Project panel (bottom-left of the workspace).

  • Double-click in the empty area to open the import window.

  • Select files and click Open. To select multiple files, hold the Ctrl key while clicking.

Organizing the Project Panel

Clips, sequences, and graphics must be structured within the Project panel using "Bins" (folders inside Premiere) to prevent items from piling up. Right-click in the Project panel and select New Bin to create the following:

  • 01 Footage: All imported video clips.

  • 02 Audio: Music, voiceovers, and sound effects.

  • 03 Sequences: Your timeline edits.

  • 04 Graphics: Photos, images, text, or titles.

Note: These bins exist only within the Premiere project file and are independent of the folders on the computer hard drive.

Sequence and Timeline Navigation

What is a Sequence?

A sequence is the container holding all media on your timeline; it serves as the editing canvas. The easiest way to create a sequence is to drag a clip from the Project panel onto the timeline. Premiere Pro automatically sets the sequence resolution and frame rate to match that first clip.

Navigating the Timeline

  • Zooming: Hold the Alt key and scroll the mouse wheel up or down.

  • Resizing Previews: Double-click the clip in the Program Monitor and drag the sizing handles.

  • Repositioning: Move the video's position within the frame by dragging it in the Program Monitor.

Arranging Clips

  • Selection Tool: Ensure the arrow icon is active to drag clips to new positions.

  • Stacking: Clips can be stacked on separate tracks. Premiere Pro plays the topmost track back by default.

  • Audio: Drag audio files to the tracks located below the video tracks.

Trimming and Cutting Techniques

The Selection Tool (Drag Method)

Hover over the start or end edge of a clip on the timeline. When the cursor changes to the trim icon, click and drag inward to shorten the clip. You can position the playhead at the desired cut point and drag the clip edge to meet it.

The Razor Tool (Cutting Middle Sections)

  1. Press C on the keyboard to activate the Razor tool.

  2. Click at the desired start and end points of the section to be removed, splitting the clip into three pieces.

  3. Press V to return to the Selection tool.

  4. Select the middle section and press Delete.

The Source Panel method

For longer clips, it is more efficient to trim before placing them on the timeline:

  1. Double-click a clip in the Project panel to open it in the Source panel.

  2. Move the playhead to the desired start and press the left curly bracket key ({) to set an In point.

  3. Move to the desired end and press the right curly bracket key (}) to set an Out point.

  4. Drag the clip to the timeline; only the selected portion will be added.

Adding Effects and Titles

Transitions

Navigate to the Effects tab in the Project panel. Open the Video Transitions folder. A "Cross Dissolve" is the standard starting point. Drag the transition onto the cut point between two clips.

Adding Text

  1. Press T to activate the Text tool.

  2. Click in the Program Monitor and type.

  3. Use the Selection tool to move or resize the text.

  4. To edit properties (font, color, etc.), select the text clip on the timeline and go to Graphics > Edit at the top of the screen.

Freezing a Frame

To emphasize a specific moment, move the playhead to the desired frame. Right-click the clip on the timeline and select Insert Frame Hold Segment. This inserts a frozen frame clip lasting a few seconds.

The Philosophy of Story in Editing

Editing is not defined by software proficiency or fancy transitions. It is defined by the choices made regarding what to show, what to remove, and when to cut. Good editing shapes:

  • The audience's understanding of the story.

  • The emotional response of the viewer.

  • The overall flow of the video.

The Rule of Six

When deciding where to cut, editors should prioritize the following six elements in order of importance:

  1. Emotion (51%51\%): Does the cut feel right?

  2. Story (23%23\%): Does it move the idea forward?

  3. Rhythm (10%10\%): Does the sequence flow?

  4. Eye Trace (7%7\%): Where is the viewer looking?

  5. 2D Screen (5%5\%): Does the composition make sense?

  6. 3D Space (4%4\%): Is spatial continuity preserved?

Note: The list is a priority hierarchy. Emotion, Story, and Rhythm are the most critical factors. A "good" cut prioritizes these top three even if it requires a trade-off with the bottom three.

Shooting for the Edit: Coverage

An editor is limited by the footage provided. To make better editing decisions, the production must provide "coverage."

Understanding Coverage

Coverage refers to shooting multiple versions, angles, and sizes of the same action. This provides the editor with options to choose the best version for emotion, story, and rhythm. Basic coverage includes:

  • Wide shots.

  • Medium shots.

  • Close-ups (CU).

  • Over-the-shoulder (OTS) shots.

Impact on Editing

  • Better Emotion: Requires reaction shots and detail shots.

  • Clearer Story: Requires shots showing both the action and its result.

  • Better Rhythm: Requires options for timing, such as both long takes and short moments.

Bottom Line: Production does not just "get the scene"; it shoots to provide the editor with choices.