How To Change From Horizontal To Vertical Video In Premiere Pro

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Creating video content in a variety of formats has become essential in today’s digital landscape, especially with platforms emphasizing full-screen video viewing like Instagram Stories, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. As a content creator, you might often find yourself needing to change your video orientation from horizontal to vertical. Adobe Premiere Pro provides powerful editing tools to easily accomplish this, making the transition seamless and efficient. This article will guide you through the steps required to adjust your video’s orientation, optimize for vertical formats, and add finishing touches to ensure your content stands out.

Understanding Video Orientation

Video orientation refers to the alignment of the frame in which a video is shot. Horizontal videos, typically having a 16:9 aspect ratio, are ideal for landscapes and cinematic scenes, while vertical videos, with a 9:16 aspect ratio, are better suited for mobile viewing. Understanding when and why to use each orientation is paramount. For platforms requiring vertical video, horizontal content repurposing becomes necessary, which is where tools like Premiere Pro come in handy.

Preparing Your Project in Adobe Premiere Pro

  1. Launch Premiere Pro: Open Adobe Premiere Pro and create a new project. Name it appropriately based on your content needs and select a location for it.

  2. Import Your Footage: Go to the ‘Media Browser’ or drag your video files directly into the project panel. Selecting the right footage is essential as your editing will revolve around this content.

  3. Create a New Sequence: To start working with vertical video:

    • Go to File > New > Sequence.
    • In the Sequence Settings window, you will see various preset options. Select the preset that matches your existing footage’s frame rate and resolution. If your footage is 1920×1080 (HD), we will modify this for vertical.

Setting Up a Vertical Sequence

The standard 16:9 aspect ratio needs to be converted to 9:16 for vertical videos. Here’s how to adjust the settings:

  1. Go to Sequence Settings: When you have your sequence open, navigate to Sequence and then select Sequence Settings.

  2. Modify Frame Size: In the Sequence Settings dialog box, locate the Frame Size fields. Here is where you will change the values:

    • Set Frame Width to 1080 pixels.
    • Set Frame Height to 1920 pixels.

  3. Adjust Pixel Aspect Ratio: Ensure that the Pixel Aspect Ratio is set to Square Pixels (1.0) to keep your video dimensionally proportional.

  4. Customize other Settings: Depending on your project’s needs, adjust other settings like Audio settings to maintain quality and synchronization.

  5. Click OK: Once all settings are configured, click OK to set your sequence. A prompt may appear informing you of a mismatch in settings; select “Change Sequence Settings”.

Adding Your Footage to the Sequence

Now that your sequence is set up for vertical video, the next step is to add your horizontal footage.

  1. Drag and Drop: Drag your horizontal footage from the project panel into the timeline.

  2. Scale and Position: Because this is a horizontal video, it will not fit the frame perfectly. To adjust:

    • Click on the clip in your timeline to highlight it.
    • Go to the Effect Controls panel, where you can scale and reposition your video.
    • Under the Transform options, increase the Scale value until the video fills the vertical frame. Depending on the content, you might want to scale it to around 150% or more.
    • Adjust the Position values to frame the main subject of your video correctly. You can manually enter values or drag the video in the Program Monitor to find the perfect composition.

Creative Techniques to Enhance Vertical Video

Merely changing the orientation of your video might not yield great results; thus, employing creative techniques can enhance viewer engagement.

  1. Add Background: Often, you might want to focus on the main video content while eliminating empty sides.

    • Split your video clip into two layers by duplicating it. Scale the bottom layer to fill the vertical frame and apply a color or blur effect to it to create a soft background.

  2. Add Text and Graphics: Vertical videos can benefit significantly from overlays:

    • Use the Type Tool to add text or titles. Ensure they are positioned thoughtfully within the vertical frame.
    • Use shapes or graphics that contrast with the footage or text, making them eye-catching.

  3. Transitions and Effects: Use transitions effectively to move between clips. The Slide or Zoom transitions are popular for vertical formats. Add effects through the Effects panel to create smooth transitions and maintain viewer interest.

  4. Split Screens: If you have various content types, consider creating a split-screen effect by layering multiple video clips together. Utilize the Transform options to adjust placement effectively.

Fine-Tuning Your Vertical Video

Once your main edits are complete, it’s time to refine your vertical video to ensure it’s polished and professional.

  1. Color Grading:

    • Go to the Color workspace. Use the Lumetri Color panel to enhance the color balance, exposure, contrast, and saturation of your video clips. Color grading helps to establish a mood and aesthetic that resonates with your audience.

  2. Audio Editing:

    • Switch to the Audio workspace to manage your audio levels carefully. Use the audio meters to monitor and adjust levels, ensuring that dialogue and background sounds are balanced and clear.

  3. Export Settings: When your editing is complete, you’ll want to export your video:

    • Click on File > Export > Media.
    • In the export settings, set the format to H.264, which is optimal for web viewing.
    • Under the Video tab, make sure your resolution is set to 1080×1920 (the vertical format).
    • Adjust the bitrate settings according to the platform you intend to upload to; lower bitrates for social media and higher for streaming platforms.

  4. Choose Destination: Specify where you want to save your output video and give it an appropriate name that indicates it’s in vertical format.

  5. Click Export: After everything is determined, click on ‘Export’. This will allow Premiere Pro to render your video.

Summary

Changing from horizontal to vertical video in Adobe Premiere Pro involves more than merely flipping the aspect ratio. It requires careful planning, creative adjustments, and final tweaks to elevate the quality of the final output. As content creation continues to shift toward mobile platforms, mastering this skill will set you apart in producing engaging and polished video content.

Creating vertical videos opens up a new world of opportunities for interaction with audiences, especially on social media and mobile-first platforms. With Premiere Pro, you have the tools necessary to transform your content effectively while maintaining a professional appearance. Whether you’re producing videos for marketing, storytelling, or personal projects, understanding how to switch formats opens doors to broaden your reach and enhance your storytelling.

Remember that your audience engages with visual mediums differently, and adapting your content based on where it will be viewed can lead to increased engagement and viewer satisfaction. With these techniques, tips, and tools in Adobe Premiere Pro, your journey into the world of vertical video can be both exciting and rewarding. Happy editing!

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