Can I Learn Premiere Pro On My Own?

If you’re interested in learning Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ve probably noticed that there are a number of free learning resources focused on this application. As a result, you might be wondering whether it is possible to learn Premiere Pro by yourself. It’s definitely possible to learn a number of things by utilizing free resources and there are even some advantages to doing so. These resources can be a great way to get an overview of the program or to pick up a few new skills. If you’re serious about learning Premiere Pro and you plan to use it professionally, however, you’ll probably want to invest in a paid, live class where you can get a comprehensive education under the guidance of an expert.

Advantages of Self-Teaching Premiere Pro

One reason you might want to start learning Premiere Pro on your own is to get a better understanding of this application before you commit to a formal class. Self-teaching can be a good way to get a general idea of how Premiere Pro works, learn some fundamental skills, and work on a few basic projects. By doing this you can make a more informed decision about whether you want to invest in a formal class where you can learn how to use all of the tools that this application offers. Self-teaching can also be beneficial for people who already have some Premiere Pro experience. If you already have a fairly good idea of how to use this program and want to build on your skills, you might not need constant instructor guidance, so self-teaching may be a good way to learn.

A major advantage of self-teaching is that you can learn at your own pace. Premiere Pro is a complex program, with a lot of different features. When you learn by yourself, you can work at your own pace, spending as much time as you need in order to become comfortable with each new skill before moving on to the next. In addition, since you’ll be directing your learning, you can make sure that it’s on a schedule that works for you. Finally, you can make sure that you allow plenty of time to practice each new skill that you learn. Practice is an important part of mastering any new topic, and is vital for Premiere Pro. It reinforces the concepts you have learned, helps you master them, and teaches you to apply them in real-world situations.

Premiere Pro Self-Teaching Tools

There are many different free online Premiere Pro resources that can be useful, depending on what you’re trying to learn. The Adobe website has a number of free tools. For instance, there is a Premiere Pro User Guide, which provides information about many different features of the program including color correction, compositing, titles, and effects. The User Guide also contains suggestions for some simple beginning projects that you can work on in order to improve your Premiere Pro skills. On its website, Adobe also offers many free tutorials for this application. These are short videos that are focused on helping you learn a specific skill like adjusting contrasting, using blend modes, or sweetening your vocals.

Schools like Noble Desktop are another place to find free resources. Many schools provide basic free resources so that students can get an idea of a topic before committing to a formal class. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a number of free seminars that cover introductory information about Premiere Pro and video editing. Intro to Premiere Pro one. This seminar provides an overview of some basic Premiere Pro skills like importing and organizing footage, creating sequences, and adding transitions and effects. Get Started in Video Editing is another free Noble Desktop seminar, and it discusses what video editors do, the tools used in the industry, and the current state of the profession. Noble Desktop also has a Premiere Pro blog where you can find more information about this application.

Some on-demand schools offer certain classes for free. These are generally not as comprehensive as paid classes, but they can be a good way to learn some basic skills. For instance, Udemy offers a free version of some of its courses. With the free option, you won’t get a certificate of completion and you won’t be able to ask questions, but you will be able to learn some fundamental skills for free. There are many other schools that offer limited free access to certain courses including Skillshare and Alison.

Other websites also contain free Premiere Pro information that can be helpful if you’re trying to learn this application. For instance, there are many short instructional Premiere Pro videos on YouTube. Some content creators--like Film Riot--post videos on their websites or on YouTube that teach introductory editing skills. You’ll also find that there are many experts willing to share their expertise online through various chat forums. You can visit these forums and look for relevant information, or you can even post a specific question. 

Drawbacks to Learning Premiere Pro on Your Own

Free resources can be valuable if you want to get a general idea of how this application works, pick up a new skill, or troubleshoot a problem, but they also have drawbacks. Even a quick online search will reveal dozens of Premiere Pro class offerings. There’s a reason that so many classes exist; editing video in 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. Without taking a class, you may have trouble utilizing Premiere Pro’s many different tools, especially the more advanced ones.

In addition, when you learn by yourself, you won’t get the same level of professional advice and insight that comes with a paid class. You might learn the basic techniques, but you’re less likely to learn how to apply them in a professional environment. In contrast, 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 a professional setting, 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.

Alternatives to Learning Premiere Pro on Your Own

If you plan to use Premiere Pro professionally, you’re likely to end up deciding to invest in a paid live class where you can follow a comprehensive educational program under the guidance of an expert. When you take a live Premiere Pro class, you’ll learn from an experienced instructor, who will guide you through a structured and clearly defined course 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. Feedback 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. 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.

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 working with 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.

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.