would this book be any good?
 

hi all im pretty new to all of this and im trying to get as much info as possible on all elements of production and was wondering if this book would help me learn all i need to know about premiere? or is there anything else that you would recommend?

http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/...915&source=J69

i will be using premiere for all of my editing so i need as much help as i can get and also just learning about all pixel aspect ratio's and all that stuff.

Thanks!!!

I would recommend Total Training video for Adobe Premiere, this is really excellent resource.

www.totaltraining.com

Liam,

If you're like me at all, you will have a difficult time learning computer software out of a book. Couldn't learn it myself without the training DVDs and CDs. Total Training is expensive , but well worth it. How To Gurus have training CDs too, and they are not too bad. Check out Ebay for various auctions.

If you don't find what you need in a few weeks, drop me a line. I may be selling my Total Training DVDs for Premiere 1.5 soon, as I just bought the Studio Premium package. I'm still debating keeping them to help train others locally.

Good luck,

Mike

I highly recommend that you look into the Total Training DVDs. In lieu of that, the book you reference was written by the same guy who does that training, and the included DVD had some very good material on it. By the way, there is a version 2.0 of that book as well.

(Using the same site as originally referenced)

http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/...asp?ref=771464

You might want to start off with a step-by-step book like the one Jeff Schell did and then get Jacob's book ...

http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/...asp?ref=766199

PP Studio Techniques is probably the best PP book. Highly recommended. I assume the DVD has the samples.

The TT videos are nice. However, I find it much harder to learn from a video.

I'm going through the Premiere Pro 2.0 version of this book, same author, and so far I think its an excellent text. I think learning from video presentations is great, as it often shows you exactly what they are doing on the computer screen, and then the result.
However, you can't go wrong with having a text handy, and when you're learning the basics, it may be more efficient to look things up in a text while you're working with the program rather than trying to fire up a video and find the spot that talks about what you're after.
The Total Training stuff might be better when you're already familar with the program a bit, and want to get deeper into some of its features. On the other hand, some videos really help you get up and running with a program fast. I haven't used the Total Training videos for Premiere, so I don't know. But the book is going to be a lot cheaper, and mine came with a DVD that has videos on it too.
I'd say go for the book and then see how you feel after that.

I can attest to both the 1.5 and 2.0 versions of PPro Studio Techniques. I had used Premiere, as well as Avid, for a number of years and had very picaresque and misguided methods and workflows while operating NLEs. The 1.5 book did an amazing job of straightening me out and helping me get disciplined and structured while working PPro 1.5, which is the most important element of editing you need to learn. Jacob has a very informed and conversational tone and does not fluctuate between painfully simplistic and overwhelmingly technical (like Blain Brown's "Motion Picture and Video Lighting", for example).

I will E-mail you, as I have no need for my 1.5 book.

Adobe Classroom In A Book
 

Personally, the book I buy for any new Adobe product is the Adobe Classroom in a Book for the product. The books are put together well, full color, and include a CD or DVD with tutorial assets. That's where I'd recommend starting.

I am currently working through the Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 book myself, I have in the past used the Photoshop and the Illustrator Classroom in a Book books with great success.

The current price for the Premiere Pro 1.5 Total Training videos is pretty darn cheap. Under $60

It won't cover the new stuff, but it would sure give you a head start. Take a look for it on the Total Training site.

Not only that, its done by the same guy who authored the book, so it really comes down to what your personal preference is, read it or watch it. From my experience, its rare that a video tutorial doesn't accelerate the learning curve.