Creating that cinematic feel in your video isn’t as hard as it might seem, especially with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro at your disposal. I remember when I first wanted to give my videos that professional, movie-like quality, I realized that adding black bars was a straightforward way to achieve this look. Sometimes it’s the subtle touches that really make your project pop, and those black horizontal bars are a classic example – they frameA single image or still in a sequence of images that make up a film; also refers to the edges of the visible area on screen. your footageThe raw, unedited material recorded by the camera, measured in feet for film or minutes for digital media. just right, giving it that widescreen format we often see in films.
Adding black bars in Premiere Pro is a simple process, so don’t fret if you’re not an editingThe process of selecting, arranging, and assembling the visual and audio components of a film to tell a coherent and compelling story. wizard. It involves a few steps within the program, tinkering with the Essential Graphics panel and creating an overlay that gives your video that letterbox aesthetic. I’m excited to walk through a tutorial that shows you how to add black bars in Premiere Pro and do this efficiently, ensuring your videos capture that cinematic style.
Understanding Aspect Ratios
Before we get into adding those stylish black bars to your video, it’s crucial to get a handle on aspect ratios. They’re the backbone of what gives your content that sought-after cinematic feel.
Exploring Common Aspect Ratios
Let’s talk about the various aspect ratios you’ll bump into. 16:9 is the standard for most TVs and online platforms—it’s what you’re watching when you’re not consciously thinking about the frame’s shape. On the flip side, the classic 4:3 is what you’d see in old-school TV shows; it’s almost square. Now, widescreen refers to ratios wider than the standard 16:9—the term can cover a few different measurements, but it’s about that expansive view. For a bolder, movie-theater style look, we dive into wider aspect ratios like 2.35:1 or 2.39:1, which are part of the cinematic aspect ratioThe ratio of the width to the height of the image on screen, commonly expressed as 16:9, 4:3, etc. family, and these are the guys that often involve an anamorphic lens to get the job done in professional settings.
Aspect Ratio | Commonly Used For |
---|---|
16:9 | TV Shows, YouTube, HDTV |
4:3 | Old TV Shows, Retro Gaming |
Widescreen | Modern Films, HDTVs |
Aspect Ratio and Cinematic Look
Now, if I want to give my video that signature cinematic look, I’m talking about imitating the aspect ratios you’d find in movie theaters which can really envelop viewers in my visual storytelling. This is where aspect ratio steps into the limelight alongside those enigmatic black bars to frame my work in mystery. A typical cinematic aspect ratio is much wider than what you’d find on traditional television broadcasts or even your standard YouTube video frame. It just feels grand, doesn’t it? The wider the ratio, the more epic the scope, and that’s when your simple project starts to look like the opening scene of a blockbuster.
Working with Premiere Pro
When I’m looking to add a cinematic touch to my videos in Adobe Premiere Pro, I always find that black bars can give that sleek, widescreen look. It’s a cool trick that’s actually really easy to pull off once you get the hang of Premiere’s tools.
Starting a New Project
To get started, I make sure to fire up Premiere Pro and hitA precise moment in the script or performance where an action, line, or effect occurs, often used to emphasize timing. File > New > Project. Naming my project properly is key because I hate searching for “Untitled” later down the line. Then, I choose a sequence preset that matches my footage or create a custom one to ensure I’m working with the right canvas for my video.
Using the Timeline and the Essential Graphics Panel
Now for the fun part, I drag my clips into the timeline to start crafting the story. To nail those black bars, I pop open the Essential Graphics panel, usually docked right next to my preview window. Here’s where I click on ‘New Layer’ and choose a rectangle. That rectangle is going to be my black bar. I make sure to set the fill color to black and adjust it to cover just where I want—usually, nipping off a bit from the top and bottom of the screen. Quick tip: holdA direction in the script or from the director to maintain a specific position, action, or expression for a set duration. Shift while adjusting the size to keep the proportions locked.
So there you have it, a straightforward way to give your videos that film-like magic with Adobe Premiere Pro’s tools.
How to Add Black Bars in Premiere Pro
When I want to give my videos that classic widescreen look, I add cinematic black bars for a professional touch. This is often called letterboxingA technique used to display widescreen content on a standard screen by adding black bars to the top and bottom of the image., which is achieved in Adobe Premiere Pro through either the Crop effect or by using an adjustment layer. Let’s walk through each method.
Using the Crop Effect
I usually start by adding the Crop effect to my clip. Here’s how I do it:
- Select the clip in the timeline.
- Go to the Effect Controls panel.
- Drag the Crop effect onto my clip.
- In the Crop effect settings, I adjust the Top and Bottom values to around 10%-15% each.
By doing this, I create a letterboxed effect that adds a cinematic feel.
Creating an Adjustment Layer
Sometimes, I prefer using an adjustment layer for more flexibility. Here’s my quick guide:
- Click on New Item in the Project panel, then choose Adjustment Layer.
- Drag the adjustment layer above my video clips in the timeline.
- Apply the Crop effect to the adjustment layer.
- In the Effect Controls panel, I modify the Top and Bottom crop values just like before.
An adjustment layer allows me to apply the letterboxing across multiple clips at once, saving me time.
Refining the Video Presentation
Before jumping into the final touches, there are a couple of key elements I focus on to ensure my video stands out. It’s all about adjusting the finer details and properly exporting for the best viewer experience.
Adjusting Color and Resolution
When I’m in the post-production phase, color grading is crucial to set the mood. Premiere Pro offers me a range of tools to get the colors just right. Here’s how I typically approach it:
- Open the Lumetri Color panel to tweak colors.
- Use Basic Correction for initial adjustments.
- Refine with Creative, Curves, and Color Wheels for depth and style.
For resolution, it’s key to decide early if I’m producing in HD or 4K. If it’s 4K, I make sure to maintain the resolution throughout my editing process. It’s essential to know that exporting in 4K requires more power and space, but it’s worth it for that ultra-crisp quality.
Exporting Your Final Video
When I’m ready to export my masterpiece, the goal is preserving my work’s quality while ensuring compatibility. Here’s my straightforward process for export settings:
- Go to File > Export > Media.
- In the export settings, I choose the format—H.264 is my go-to for a good balance between quality and file size, perfect for YouTube uploads.
- I tick the ‘Render at Maximum Depth’ option for better gradient renders.
- Under Bitrate Settings, I often pick ‘VBR, 2 pass’ for better-quality encodingThe process of converting video and audio files into a digital format for editing, distribution, or streaming..
- I ensure the resolution matches my project. If it’s a 4K video, export settings need to reflect that.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that there are other video editorThe person responsible for piecing together the film's footage, working closely with the director to achieve the desired final cut. apps like DaVinci Resolve, which are also fantastic for post-production work. But for a direct and straightforward workflow, I stick with Premiere Pro.
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder, owner, and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.