By Brady Betzel

With its June update for Premiere Pro, Adobe has begun to lay the groundwork for a complete interface overhaul, starting with a new way to import media into a new project and ending with an updated and streamlined export workflow. These updates will initially appear only in the Premiere Pro beta (available for download through the Creative Cloud desktop app), but they will eventually roll out once they’re refined.

I admit to initially being skeptical of these updates because on the surface, they are simply interface updates. But after giving it some thought, I realized that Adobe is easing everyone into a paradigm shift — a modular overhaul of the almost-30-year-old Premiere interface. Up first: the project creation (or import workflow), updated header and export workflow.

Import Workflow
The new Premiere Pro beta will begin its interface overhaul with a simplified project creation workflow. If you aren’t interested in all the nuts and bolts of project creation, this update is for you. Premiere will now allow you to start a project based off the first clip imported. So if the first clip you import has a resolution of 1920×1080 and frame rate of 23.98fps with stereo audio, then guess what?! That is what your project will be. I say “first clip” because the new import workflow will allow you to essentially build a string-out (rough cut) from the import dialogue. What if you want to work the old way? No problem. That option is still available.

This update is essentially Adobe’s very basic answer to the Resolve Cut Page, and basic does not mean bad; it just means simplified. One of the hard parts when recommending software for new editors is how hard it is to create a new project. Not everyone understands frame size, frame rate, stereo versus mono audio, etc. This new import workflow might help new users who could initially be thrown off by a cumbersome “professional” project-creation interface.

Unified Header
The updated unified header inside of the new Premiere Pro beta release is Adobe’s way of saying, “We got rid of unnecessary crap.” If you are like me and enjoy a more spacious and less convoluted interface, then this update is for you. Adobe has essentially removed the multiple workspace options.

Export Workflow
As I’ve mentioned, I always felt that the Premiere Pro project-creation interface (and even Resolve’s and Avid’s) was intimidating for new users. But it’s also cumbersome for advanced users who don’t want or need to scroll through a hundred different project types. It’s actually insane. The same goes for the export workflow inside of Premiere Pro. The newly updated Premiere Pro beta export workflow has a much more appealing and seemingly efficient layout. If nothing else, it makes me feel less nervous. This is something you should test out for yourself, but I think it looks better with switches and the left-to-right workflow as opposed to the top-to-bottom layout.

I hope Adobe Media Encoder begins to take this step, or maybe Adobe can build a better a version of Media Encoder into a tab of Premiere. Adobe, if you’re listening, please keep Media Encoder as a separate app as well. Currently, Media Encoder is one of the few stand-alone encoding apps that can take in and spit out almost any deliverable for a relatively cheap price. With a slight overhaul of the interface, I think it can stay in the limelight.

The Future
I asked Adobe if the entire interface will be updated, and if so, does that mean the timeline will be updated as well. Their short answer seemed to be “yes.” The long answer is that they are intentionally moving slowly so they don’t alienate their longtime users. (Smart move.) Adobe is not removing any features right now; instead, the company is trying to find that sweet spot in its interfaces that will keep current users happy while also attracting new ones.

I also asked if they are working on a Lumetri update (maybe a Lumetri Pro?). I got the same answer I’ve been getting for two years, which is that they are looking into it. In my opinion, with interface overhauls on the horizon, now might be the time for Adobe to begin introducing a Lumetri Pro (aka SpeedGrade?!).

Adobe is relying heavily on the beta testers for this Premiere Pro beta interface update, and you can share your opinions on the Premiere Pro (beta) forum.

You can also find out more and watch more detailed videos on the Adobe YouTube page about the new Adobe Premiere Pro Beta Import Workflow and the new Adobe Premiere Pro Export Workflow.

Brady Betzel is an Emmy-nominated online editor at Margarita Mix in Hollywood, working on shows like Life Below Zero and Uninterrupted: The Shop . He is also a member of the Producers Guild of America. You can email Brady at bradybetzel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @allbetzroff.