Are Premiere Pro Classes Worth It?

While Premiere Pro classes are a great way to learn this application, a Premiere Pro class can cost you hundreds of dollars and take many hours of your time. This means that before you spend too much time comparing classes, it's a good idea to take some time to think about whether a Premiere Pro class is worth it for you. If you’re serious about using Premiere Pro in a professional capacity--for instance, creating your own content, or pursuing a video editing career--then you’ll likely decide that it is worth investing your time and money in a class. The guidance of an expert can help you master this application and prepare to use it in a professional setting. However, it's best to make this decision after fully understanding the pros and cons of a paid class. This article discusses some of the factors to consider in relation to Premiere Pro classes, with the goal of helping you make a well-informed decision. 

What is Premiere Pro?

Premiere Pro is an Adobe application that is used for video editing. It was first released in 1991 as “Premiere,” and in 2003 it was renamed Premiere Pro. It is nonlinear and timeline-based, and is available by monthly subscription. It includes a wide range of different tools for editing video and audio, and for working with special effects. Premiere Pro is one of the most popular editing programs and is known as an industry-standard tool. 

Advantages of a Premiere Pro Class

There are many different Premiere Pro classes out there, and there’s a reason for that; Premiere Pro classes are popular because they have a lot of benefits. Editing videos with Premiere Pro can be a complex and time-consuming process, and if you don’t learn how to use this application properly, you’re likely to struggle. In a January 14, 2019 article on LinkedIn, Videographer James P. 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.” Taking a class is a good way to learn how to use all of Premiere Pro’s tools efficiently and effectively, under the guidance of an expert.

Professional Instruction and Learning with Peers

When you take a Premiere Pro class, you’ll learn from an experienced instructor, who will guide you through a structured and clearly defined program that will cover all the skills you’ll need to master in order to use Premiere Pro, starting with the basics so that you have a strong foundation, and moving on to more advanced skills after that. The instructor can personalize instruction to help meet your needs, and can answer your questions throughout the learning process. They can also give you feedback on your progress, which allows you to learn from both your mistakes and successes, and continue to improve on your editing techniques.

Most Premiere Pro instructors are experts who have already spent hours using this program and have a lot of industry experience, so by learning from them, you can take advantage of all that valuable expertise. Their knowledge is likely to include tips and tricks, and common mistakes to avoid, all of which could take you years to figure out by yourself. There are also other benefits to learning from someone who has already mastered this application. One is that learning under an expert can be inspiring because you can see the kind of achievements that are possible once you have mastered this program. An experienced Premiere Pro user may also be able to help you connect with other professionals in the field, which can be useful in the future.

When you take a Premiere Pro class, you’ll be learning with a group of peers and this peer group can also be beneficial both now and in the future. Video editing is often a collaborative process, so by taking a class, you can start learning how to work with a group of people. You’ll also be able to see how other people are using this application and you can learn by observing the challenges that they face and how they meet those challenges. In addition, a peer group can lead to valuable networking opportunities, both now and in the future.

Professional Techniques and Access to Technology

Another benefit of taking a class is that you’ll have access to all of the resources that you’ll need in order to learn to use this application. This includes the latest software and computer technology, and it also includes video footage that you can use to practice your editing skills. Not only is this financially beneficial because you won’t have to pay for everything yourself, but it’s also a great way to be sure that what you are learning is up to date. Video editing technology evolves quickly, with techniques and tools changing often. By taking a class that’s taught by an industry professional, you can be confident that you are learning the latest tools and techniques.

In addition, many classes are not just designed to teach you how to use Premiere Pro, but also focus on setting you up for success when you use this application in a professional setting. For instance, classes typically include exercises and projects that are similar to what you’ll do when you use Premiere Pro in real life. This means that when the class is complete and you’re using Premiere Pro in the real world, you’ll already be comfortable with what you’re doing. Many classes also include working on your portfolio so that you’ll have a strong collection of work to use when you’re looking for a job.

Overall, a Premiere Pro class can help you produce better content. You’ll learn how to create videos that are polished and are easy and enjoyable to watch. Without knowing how to use this program properly, you might end up with content that is too long or too short, disjointed, or messy. Many classes also focus on storytelling techniques, which are an important part of creating videos that audiences will enjoy watching. There are a number of established techniques that editors use to tell a story, and when you take a class, you can learn what those techniques are.

Career Benefits

Many careers that involve using Premiere Pro have good salaries and strong future job outlooks, which is another great reason to learn to use this application. A Video Editor earns an average of $56,000 to $58,000 per year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a federal agency that collects and analyzes labor market statistics, film and video editing jobs are expected to grow by 9 percent over the next ten years, which is faster than the average U.S. job growth rate of 3 percent. It explains that some of this growth will be driven by the increase in online film and television platforms, and will also be due to an increase in demand for special effects. 

Motion Graphics Designers and Animators also work with Premiere Pro. The average annual salary for a Motion Graphics Designer is $72,000. According to the BLS, between 2022 and 2032, jobs for Special Effects Artists and Animators will grow by 8 percent. 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 that demand for graphics for mobile devices will generate a significant number of jobs in this field. 

Considerations When Looking at Premiere Pro Classes

While a Premiere Pro class can have many benefits, before you sign up, it's important to make sure you pick the right one. Premiere Pro classes can be expensive, with longer programs costing thousands of dollars, so when you’re looking at class options, you need to consider your budget. You should also make sure a class will fit into your schedule. The good news is that as long as you do some research, you’re likely to be able to find something that works. There are a variety of different Premiere Pro course options out there including full-time and part-time programs, and weekday, weekend, and evening classes. There are also in-person, online, and on-demand options.

Is It Worth Enrolling in a Premiere Pro Class?

Who Will Find It Worthwhile?

If you plan to use Premiere in a professional capacity, a class is likely to be worthwhile. While you’ll have to invest time and money in a class, you’ll come out of it with a thorough understanding of how to use all of the tools that this application offers. With a class, you’ll be educated about how to edit at a professional level, and you’ll have the confidence to do so. Further, you’re likely to finish a class with a professional portfolio, an understanding of how to find a job in this field, and maybe even some professional contacts in the industry.

Who Might Find It Worthwhile?

If you want to work with any type of creative content, a Premiere Pro class may be worthwhile. In recent years, video has become more and more widespread in almost every type of media. Research shows that it is a highly effective way to capture and hold the attention of viewers, and to explain complex ideas, and it is now difficult to find a platform that does not include video content. With Premiere Pro skills, you’ll be equipped to create or edit content for a wide variety of purposes, making this a smart investment if you want to be able to create professional-looking content.

Who Probably Doesn’t Need a Premiere Pro Class?

There are a few situations where a Premiere Pro class probably isn’t necessary. One is if you’re just trying to master a specific skill, such as animating a title or matching clip colors. In situations like this, your best option is probably to do your own research. There is a wealth of online resources that can help in situations like this. For instance, the Adobe website has many short free tutorials that are focused on learning individual skills. You’ll also find many online help forums where more experienced users are often happy to share their knowledge.

If you’re just using Premiere Pro for fun and don’t have any urgency to master it, you may not need a class either. While classes help expedite the learning process, they can be expensive, and if you don’t need to use Premiere Pro in a professional capacity, you may prefer to simply work on it at your own pace, or utilize free online tutorials. This learning method is likely to take longer, but it can be a good option if you’re just using this application as a hobby.

Learn Premiere Pro Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a variety of Premiere Pro classes, with both short classes that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive courses that can help you develop the skills you’ll need to use Premiere Pro in a professional setting. This school even offers a Premiere Pro certification program, where you can become an Adobe Premiere Pro Certified Professional. If you want to quickly learn the basics of Premiere Pro, you might be interested in Premiere Pro in a Day, which is a short, accelerated class. In this class, you’ll learn to organize projects, create sequences, fix audio and color, add B-roll, animating images, edit clips, and add lower third titles. At the end of the class, you’ll export a video that you can send to a client or upload to a social media platform.

The Premiere Pro Bootcamp is a longer class that covers everything you need to know to start making your own videos. You’ll learn how to use Premiere Pro to add cuts and transitions between shots, correct color in the footage, sync up and correct audio, and incorporate After Effects assets in Premiere Pro. This course serves as an ideal introduction to Premiere Pro, and by the end of it, you should be prepared to start editing your own video content. 

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive program, Noble Desktop offers a number of certificate programs that include working with Premiere Pro. Both the Motion Graphics Certificate and Video Editing Certificate cover Premiere Pro skills. In the Motion Graphic Certificate, you’ll learn to use Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics and visual effects, and Cinema 4D Lite for 3D animations. You’ll also learn to edit video, and add music and voiceover with Premiere Pro. In addition, you’ll work on a demo reel that showcases your skills. The course includes five one-on-one mentoring sessions. The Video Editing Certificate covers video editing, motion graphics, and audio editing. You’ll learn to work with After Effects and Premiere Pro. In addition, you’ll learn to edit sound effects with Audition. This class also includes working on a demo reel, and five one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Finally, Noble offers a Premiere Pro Certification Program, where you can become an Adobe Premiere Pro certified professional. This course includes two class sessions, which will take you from a beginner to an advanced level of mastery. You’ll also get six hours of private tutoring to address skills that you need more help with. After that, you’ll take the Adobe Premiere Pro Certification exam. Your course fee covers exam proctoring, plus a free retake. If you don’t want to take the exam, you can receive an extra hour of private tutoring instead.