Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro

Step 1 — Create a new project

1. Launch Premiere Pro 2026 — choose New Project, not Open Project
2. Name the project: YourName_Session1_Practice
3. Set the project location to a dedicated class folder on the desktop

Step 2 — Sequence settings

1. Go to File > New > Sequence
2. Choose a preset that matches the sample footage — AVCHD > 1080p > AVCHD 1080p25
3. Frame rate must match the footage, or you'll get black frames or choppy playback
4. Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD) is the standard for this course

Step 3 — Scratch disk and auto-save

1. Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks — set to the same class folder (this is where Premiere saves previews and auto-saves)
2. Edit > Preferences > Auto Save — set to every 5 minutes

Common mistakes to avoid: saving the project on the Desktop with no folder structure, a wrong frame rate in the sequence, and not setting the scratch disk (slows the computer down).

Step 4 — Import media

1. Method A: File > Import > navigate to the folder
2. Method B: Media Browser panel > locate footage > right-click > Import

Step 5 — Organise into bins

1. Right-click in the Project Panel > New Bin
2. Create three bins: "Footage", "Audio", "Graphics"
3. Drag all imported clips into the correct bin

Step 6 — Preview clips in the Source Monitor

1. Double-click any clip in the Project Panel to open it in the Source Monitor
2. Play, pause, and scrub through the clip
3. Check clip properties: right-click > Properties (note the frame rate and resolution)

Step 7 — Drag one clip onto the timeline

1. Drag a clip from the Project Panel to the V1 track on the timeline
2. Press spacebar to play it in the Program Monitor
3. Zoom in and out on the timeline using the scroll wheel or the + / - keys