15 Premiere Pro SHORTCUTS I wish I knew earlier!

Summary

In this video, Joey shares 15 essential Premiere Pro shortcuts that every filmmaker should know to streamline their editing process. As a solo filmmaker, mastering these shortcuts can save hours behind the computer. Joey covers time-saving tricks for navigating timelines, linking audio and video, trimming clips, and working with B-roll. He also dives into tools like Ripple Delete, Add Edit, and custom shortcuts for scaling clips, slow motion, and more. Joey emphasizes the importance of efficiency, giving users practical tips to improve their workflow and make editing faster and more enjoyable.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Editing efficiently matters more than shooting for solo filmmakers, because most time is spent behind the computer, not the camera.
• ⌨️ Learning even one new Premiere Pro shortcut can significantly improve your workflow and save hours over time.
• 📝 Writing down new shortcuts on Post-it notes and placing them near your workspace helps break old habits and reinforce faster editing techniques.
• 🔍 Timeline navigation is faster using keyboard shortcuts like + / - for zooming, backslash (\) to fit the timeline to screen, and up/down arrows to jump between clip edges.
• 🖥️ The backtick (`) key maximizes the active panel, making it easier to focus on details in the timeline, program monitor, or project window.
• 🔗 Linking and unlinking audio and video with Command + L is much faster than using right-click menus, especially during A-roll edits.
• 🔇 Disabling clips (Command + Shift + E) is a useful alternative to deleting, allowing you to keep backup audio or unused clips without cluttering the edit.
• ✂️ Using Add Edit and Ripple Delete instead of the Razor Tool dramatically speeds up cutting by eliminating unnecessary steps and gaps.
• ⚡ Custom shortcuts (like mapping Add Edit and Ripple Delete to Q and W) create a highly efficient editing rhythm, referred to as the “Magic Triangle.”
• 🎞️ Ripple Trim is best for quick trimming of clip edges, while Add Edit plus Ripple Delete offers more precise control during detailed edits.
• 📐 Creating a shortcut for “Set to Frame Size” is essential when working with high-resolution B-roll, vertical video, or mixed media formats.
• 🐢 Slow-motion B-roll is best handled through Speed/Duration (Command + R) rather than guessing with the Rate Stretch Tool.
• ↔️ The Rolling Edit Tool (N) allows you to move cuts between clips without changing overall timing, making it perfect for fine-tuning transitions.
• 👍 Continuous learning and shortcut customization are key to becoming faster and more confident in Premiere Pro.

Q & A

What is the main reason the author emphasizes the importance of Premiere Pro shortcuts?

The author highlights the importance of Premiere Pro shortcuts because they save time and make the editing process more efficient, especially for solo filmmakers who spend long hours editing on the computer.

What is the 'Magic Triangle' shortcut system mentioned by the author?

The 'Magic Triangle' is a system where the user places their fingers on the Q and W keys for fast editing shortcuts, with the thumb on the space bar, allowing quick access to cut and delete actions in Premiere Pro.

Why does the author prefer using the keyboard shortcuts for cutting and trimming instead of the razor tool?

The author prefers using keyboard shortcuts because it is faster and more efficient than manually selecting the razor tool, making cuts, and then deleting parts of the video with gaps. The Q and W shortcuts allow for faster trimming and deleting without gaps.

How does 'Add Edit' work, and why is it useful in editing?

'Add Edit' is a shortcut that makes an instant cut at the selected point in the video. This is useful because it eliminates the need for manually selecting the razor tool, speeding up the editing process.

What is the 'Ripple Delete' function, and how does it improve editing efficiency?

'Ripple Delete' automatically deletes a section of video and shifts the remaining clips to close the gap, which saves time compared to manually deleting and shifting clips.

Why does the author suggest assigning the 'Set to Frame Size' shortcut to Command+4?

The author suggests assigning 'Set to Frame Size' to Command+4 because it's a quick and accessible way to scale 4K video clips and photos to fit the frame, improving the efficiency of working with high-resolution footage.

What is the difference between 'cutting' and 'trimming' in Premiere Pro?

'Cutting' refers to making a split in the video at a certain point, while 'trimming' involves adjusting the beginning or end of the clip to make it shorter or longer without affecting the rest of the video.

How does the 'Rolling Edit' tool work, and when should you use it?

The 'Rolling Edit' tool allows you to adjust the timing of two clips by moving the cut point between them. This is useful when you want to adjust the transition between clips without affecting the overall video duration.

Why does the author recommend using 'Command+R' to access the speed and duration settings?

The author recommends using 'Command+R' to quickly access the speed and duration settings because it provides a faster and more direct way to adjust the speed of clips, especially for slow-motion or time-lapse effects.

What is the benefit of linking audio and video clips in Premiere Pro?

Linking audio and video clips ensures that they remain synchronized when editing. The author uses Command+L to link the clips together, making it easier to move them without losing synchronization.