Chapter 1.  Start Here It really is pretty amazing when you think about how far video technology has come in such a short time. Just a little more than 20 years ago, broadcast professionals were editing analog video using what was essentially a mechanical controller between two VCRs. (And, before that, editors were literally cutting and splicing tapea primitive age best forgotten.) The innovation of computer-based, nonlinear digital editing has not only changed the way video is assembled, it has changed our entire concept of the editing process. Nonlinear editing takes a process that was once stressful, time-consuming, and expensive, and turns it into something that is intuitive, simple, and above all, easily revisable. There's more freedom to be creative, to try new things, to experiment, and to play. Before Premiere Elements, most video-editing software aimed at consumers was designed with an easy-to-use interface as its priority. Adobe, however, took a different tack. Using as its base its top-of-the-line prosumer video-editing software, Premiere Pro, Adobe stripped back a few higher-end and professional features (features you will probably never miss), made many of the features more user-friendly, and produced an application that combines both a relatively simple, intuitive interface with the power and customizable features of a professional editing package. A product that's easy to learnand yet capable of going as deep as the user dares to dig. But dig a little deeper and you'll find even more. And more. In fact, every time you think you've discovered everything this program can do, you round a corner and find even more features, more things to customize, and more tricks, tweaks, and new applications. Premiere Elements can take you as far as you dare to go with your videos. And that's the good news. The bad news, though, is now that you are armed with Premiere Elements 2.0 and this book, you're never again going to have an excuse for creating a less-than-dazzling video. No more shoot-and-play home movies. No more boring family vacation videos. Such is the responsibility that comes with a master's knowledge. |
