The importance of keyboard shortcuts in video editing

Efficient video editing doesn't necessarily mean faster hands but smarter use of tools. Keyboard shortcuts in Premiere Pro can save you not only time but also physical discomfort. Watching adept editors who seldom use their mouse is quite fascinating. While I'm not at that level, there are several shortcuts I rely on extensively, especially for editing screencasts.

Essential key bindings for screencasting

In this guide, I'll share some vital key bindings and demonstrate how to customize them in Premiere to fit your style. We'll begin by duplicating our sequence, creating a sandbox area to prevent any mishaps with our clean sequence setup.

The selection and razor tools

Initially, Premiere opens your cursor with the selection tool, which, as the name suggests, is used to select items. For the majority of tasks, I alternate between the selection tool and the razor tool. If your tools panel isn't visible, you can activate it by navigating to Window > Tools.

To switch between the selection tool and razor tool, use ‘V’ for the selection tool and ‘C’ for the razor tool. The razor tool is essential for slicing footage, allowing you to edit clips independently.

Play, pause, and slice functions

The spacebar functions as your play/pause button. Meanwhile, Command + K is used to slice clips at your playhead's position. If you wish to slice through all selected tracks, Command + A and Command + K will accomplish this task efficiently.

Advanced editing with Q and W keys

Q and W keys are game-changers in the editing process. With Q, you utilize a ripple trim, which deletes a clip up to your playhead, simultaneously shifting all subsequent clips left. Conversely, W does the reverse operation from your playhead's end point.

Managing space and maximizing panels

To remove gap space, highlight the dead space and use Option + Delete. For maximizing panels when screen space is limited, the tilde (~) key allows you to toggle full-screen views easily. This is helpful for reviewing edits or managing bulk within your timeline.

Clip enable and disable shortcuts

Enabling or disabling clips quickly can be done using Shift + Command + E, negating heavy reliance on right-click menus.

Customizing Premiere keyboard shortcuts

If transitioning from another editor to Premiere, adjusting the default key bindings can be beneficial. Navigate to Premiere Pro > Keyboard Shortcuts to customize your setup. This interactive window allows you to test and set key bindings effectively.

Learning efficient editing

Avoid overwhelming yourself by attempting to learn all shortcuts instantly. Instead, focus on mastering one shortcut each editing session, like consistently using 'C' for splicing. This method of incremental learning helped me tremendously and could work for you too.

Streamlining your editing workflow

This overview of keyboard shortcuts aims to equip you before we dive into editing. When you see me using these shortcuts, hopefully, the switching and actions won't be confusing. I'll endeavor to mention them during our sessions, but with this knowledge, you should be prepared either way.