Import Footage by choosing File > Import, selecting clips, and then clicking "Import." Import clips from CF cards by using Media Browser instead.
Organize this footage into relavant bins. File > New > Bin. You can think of bins as "folders" for clips. Create a bin structure that reflects the intended story.
Sort Clips in the order you'd like within each bin. You can to "stack up" clips in order you choose, usually left to right, and top to bottom is typical "story order."
If you want to sort clips by their date and time in List view (common for vlogging), see this technique. If you want to sort these same clips in Icon view, you may need this workaround.
Create the Sequence: The first clip you place into the timeline should reflect your output and be representative of most of your other clips (ideally, all from the same camera or source). Right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (macOS), and then choose "New Sequence from Clip." This creates an ideal sequence for a lion's share of your clips.
Check Sequence Settings should be checked and adjusted after adding that first clip to reflect your output settings. Select the Timeline. Choose Sequence > Sequence Settings. Inspect the settings to make sure the settings actually do match your clip settings.
Edit Clips into the timeline based on the sort order you chose earlier using Icon view in your bins. Select them, then just drag them into the Timeline.
Tip: After selecting relevant clips, you can choose Clip > Automate to Sequence command. This is a fast way to add clips to the Timeline.
Trim Clips as necessary right in the Timeline. Play the Sequence with the Space Bar. As you watch, see if any of the beginnings or endings of a cut need to be trimmed. The Ripple Trim to Playhead shortcuts "Q" and "W" speeds this process along. The Ripple and Rolling Edit tools can help you refine the trimming you do. Make sure you verify the cut is good by watching it down after applying the trims.
Adjust Audio using the Essential Audio Panel or by raising the Audio Controls (called "envelopes" or "rubber bands" informally) directly on clips in the Timeone. You can also use the Track or Clip Mixer, depending on what you need to control. Add appropriate royalty free music to a separate track, for added audio interest. Mix it with the other audio sources by controlling these levels so that it sounds natural. Note that you may need to add audio transitions to fade between tracks. Small fades can remove any "pops or crackles" that might occur at a cut.
Add Titles and Graphics to the program via use of the Essential Graphics panel. Click in the bar at the top of the program that says, "Graphics." Use the tools in the Toolbar to type directly onto the Program Monitor. Create any Shapes as desired for backgrounds for text. Use the Selection tool to drag titles and graphics into place. You can also harness any supplied motion graphics template. For more info see: Titles and Motion Graphics
Add Color Grading to the program via use of the Lumetri Color panel.
You can either add presets, custom LUTs, or create your own custom "look" in this panel.
For your own looks, work from the top of the panel to the bottom for best results.
By clicking the "Auto" button in the Basic Correction panel and a simple "S" curve in the Curves panel, you can greatly improve the look of your shot.
Render the Sequence (Optional). It is not necessary to render the sequence unless you really need to check how effects may have been rendered, etc.
That said, if you are using smart rendering, you must render the entire sequence before exporting.
Select the Sequence, remove In and Out points, Render In to Out.
Watch down the sequence with a critical eye and note any storytelling changes you'd like to make. Also note any small errors like trims or spelling mistakes. Make the changes, and fix the errors, as needed.
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