Adding black bars the correct and easy way

[julianm44443758]

I'm working on Premiere Pro CC 2018 and I had 4k and 2k mov and mp4 video footage mixed in 4 k timeline and since I have decided to export it in future in 2k (actually 1980 X 1080) so I recently changed the sequence settings from 4k (4096 X 2160 )  to 2k (actually to 1920 x1080).  I was told that I don't have to worry about downgrading the resolution from 4k to 2k but the timeline does it automatically, or I just hit scale or set to frame I assume to fit the 4k footage in the 2k timeline. Because of the 4k 4096 X 2160 aspect ratio and using warp stabilizer sometimes the 4k footage with its different aspect ratio in 2k(1920 x 1080) timeline creates a black jumpy bar on top and bottom but it doesn't worry me because I want to add a relatively thin black bar on top and bottom of the footage anyway to make the video look more cinematic. I watched tutorials on the correct way to add the black bars on top and bottom of the footage. There seems to be different opinions about it and since I believe there is a lot of updated knowledge here I wanted to find the easiest and fastest way to do this but also that it works after exporting and for the mainstream film buyers/distributors around the world.  Some tutorials mentioned the fast adjustment layer and cropping process but some said that is not a good way to go because it does not necessarily work with different tvs/aspect ratios etc.  Another option I noticed is somebody creating a title or color matte rectangular and adding it to the timeline as a better option (  i assume currently it could be done through the essential graphics somehow ) ?  Thank you in advance.

[RobShultz]

You could go to the top of the interface then click window/essential graphics. In the essential graphics panel click on the white page turn icon (new layer) then choose rectangle. Then you could size it and change the color in the essential graphics panel.

obviously repeat for your 2nd rectangle.

[julianm44443758]

Thanks. I created the black bars in the top and bottom individually and it looks good and i can drag that layer on top of the entire film. The top and bottom bars might not be exactly the same size but they look similar to naked eye so it should be fine as I created them i assume. Regarding having the 2k and 4k footage on the timeline with 2k sequence settings currently , i assume i can export as 2k without having to adjust ? thanks.

[julianm44443758]

And btw if after going through the footage for some reason i realize i don't want the black bars there, I assume the only way to get rid of them would be to zoom in or crop ?

[RobShultz]

Yes those would be your options.

[julianm44443758]

Thanks, and btw regarding this 16:9 film i have , generally speaking do i have to worry about actors etc being too much on the left or right edge of the screen in case the film is viewed bu the future audience in 4:3 etc and therefore the sides of the this video footage will be cut or  the cutting will not take place  ?