How to Make a Movie in Adobe Premiere Elements

If you've ever had the itch to make your own movie you can start with a camcorder, a PC and Premiere Elements. Elements offers a simple interface and a drag and drop entry into the process of digital filmmaking.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Plan the movie. Make sure it has a setup, a climax, and resolution. Storyboard the key scenes and write the dialogue

2. Film the movie. For the best quality use a high definition or digital camcorder with a USB or Firewire connection. Use good lighting if you're filming indoors.

3. Capture the video clips. Click on the capture tab to open the capture window. Use the device controls to move through the video and capture specific clips to disk. Import any additional sound files and graphics.

4. Assemble the footage in the edit window. Drag the clips to the timeline. You can trim them by dragging from the edges. Click on your music files to load background music to the timeline.

5. Click on the transitions tab. You will find a number of preloaded transitions. Drag them to the timeline above the clips, and drag from each end to adjust the duration.

6. Add titles. Place them in the timeline above the video tracks. They can play on solid backgrounds or directly over the video.

7. Save the movie. You can create a video for playback from the hard drive, online or DVD. Select the output format settings to control file size and dimensions.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't capture everything you film. Capture the best scenes in clips to save disk space and avoid tying up memory.
• Start with a small project and work your way to more complex movies. Try an interview, or a movie with two or three short scenes.