Create Amazing Video Effects with Motion Array Premiere Pro Templates

Motion Array Premiere Pro 19/09/2021 5 min read

Templates are a valuable asset for any Premiere or After Effects editor. With hundreds of templates available to download, you can create beautiful compositions in just a couple of hours. When using sites like Motion Array, you can find the ideal templates, along with stock photos, footage, and music to add to your projects.

Part 1: Create Smooth Music Video Effects in Premiere Pro with Motion Array

Creating music videos requires both incredible footage of your performers and a stylistic tone to the editing. Templates can help add a look to your music video projects and reinforce the style and feel of your track. For this example, we’re going to use a fantastic Glitch Opener template from Motion Array.

You can also sign up for Motion Array’s basic Free account and use these Premiere Pro free templates, free presets, or free royalty-free music and sound effects to create cool video effects today!

Step 1: Add Your Media

It’s always a good idea to add your media to the template first, as this will ensure you have the duration of the piece covered. Before you begin adding your media, think about the order of the clips you want to use. We’re going to be using a selection of incredible dancer shots at Motion Array.

  1. Download the template file and double-click the Premiere project to open it.
  2. In the project browser, look for the Edit folder, and drop down to reveal its contents.
  3. There will be several folders: Audio, Logo, Text, and Shots. The folder names may differ between templates but will always be labeled to indicate which media goes where.
  4. Drop down the Shots folder and double-click the sequence labeled Shot 1
  5. Drag your media from the project browser to the timeline, and adjust the Size and Position if needed.
  6. Close the sequence, and repeat the process with everything shot sequence in the Shots folder.

Step 2: Adjust Your Titles

The next step is to add your messaging and title design; fortunately, this is similar to adding your shots. If you don’t want to use the titles in the template, follow these steps and simply remove the text for each layer.

  1. In the project browser, open the Titles folder.
  2. Double click on the first title composition to open it in the timeline.
  3. Select the layer and in the media viewer, double click on the text to edit it.
  4. Once you’ve added your text, select the layer in the timeline.
  5. Go to the Essential Graphics panel to adjust the font, color, weight, and size of your title.
  6. When you are happy with the title’s look, close the sequence and repeat these steps with each title comps in the Titles folder.

Step 3: Add Your Logo and Music

By this stage, you should hopefully see just how easy it is to use Premiere Pro templates and can probably guess the next steps. We’re going to add a retro funk-style track, Brooklyn Cab from Motion Array.

  1. In the project browser, open the Audio folder, double click on the audio sequence to open it in the timeline.
  2. Drag your music track to the timeline and position at the start; close the sequence.
  3. Go to the Logo folder in the project browser and open the logo sequence.
  4. Drag your logo to the timeline and adjust the Scale and Position if needed.
  5. Close the sequence and return to the final comp timeline.
  6. Watch through your project. If you need to make adjustments, just find the relevant sequence, open it and adjust the asset.

Part 2: Create Inspiring Cinematic Video Effects in Premiere Pro with Motion Array

Creating cinematic trailers and video effects in Premiere Pro is super easy with Motion Array templates. For this example, we will use the atmospheric Cinematic Movie Opener which comes with some additional color controls.

Step 1: Add Your Photos

Templates can use photos, video clips, or a mix of both. Images can be a little static, even when added to an animate template, so we’re going to show you how to keyframe a little movement into your still images. We’re going to be using a great selection of safari photos from Motion Array.

  1. Once the template file has been downloaded, double click the Premiere project to open it.
  2. Open up the Edit folder in the project browser. You will find subfolders for each asset type: Music, Titles, Media, etc.
  3. Drop down the Images folder and double-click the sequence labeled Image 1
  4. Drag your photo to the timeline from the project browser.
  5. Select the photo layer and in the Edit Controls panel, adjust the Scale and Position to your desired start point.
  6. Ensuring your playhead is at the start of the timeline, create a keyframe of Position and Scale.
  7. Shift your playhead to the end of the timeline and create the second set of keyframes.
  8. Adjust the photo to your final position and scale.
  9. Close the sequence, and follow the same steps with each image sequence.

Step 2: Add Titles and Music

There are two ways to edit the titles in Premiere Pro; the first is using the Text Edit tool, as we’ve discussed in Part 1. The second way to edit the text is using the Legacy Title Editor, and this particular template uses this neat Premiere function. For music, we’re going to complement our image choices with the fantastic Safari track by Motion Array.

  1. In the project browser, open the Titles folder.
  2. Double click on the first title to open it in the Legacy Title Editor.
  3. The Title Editor will contain all the tools you need to design your text; start by double-clicking the title and changing the text.
  4. You can use the predesigned styles by clicking the in the panel or use the font, weight, size, and color settings to design your look.
  5. Once you’ve edited your text, close the Legacy Text Editor.
  6. Go through each of the title elements following these steps.
  7. Not all templates will have a dedicated audio sequence; in this instance, we drag our music track to the bottom track in the timeline.
  8. Drag the end of the track to trim to the correct length.

Step 3: Adjust the Colors

Most templates provide color customization through the title editor, but some templates will have additional color options for you to play with. You’ll often find color controllers used in templates that include color backgrounds or animated flourishes.

  1. Drop down the Color folder in the project browser.
  2. Double click the Color 1 option; select a new color, and hit OK.
  3. Do this with each color controller included in the template.
  4. Remember to watch through your video and ensure the colors you choose to compliment your brand and the media in your template.

Bonus: Create Vintage Retro Video Effects in After Effects with Motion Array

After Effect templates are incredibly similar to Premiere Pro templates, using the same customization structure. After Effects can look a little complicated, but we’re going to show you how you can create a complete video project in under an hour, even if you’re a beginner.

As with Premiere templates, you can use photos and videos in your projects. We will use the 

Ultra Quick Opener from Motion Array with a selection of cyberpunk footage, ideal for YouTube openers, intro sequences, and promos.

  1. Download and open the After Effects template project.
  2. In the project browser, open the Edit Comps folder, followed by the Images folder.
  3. Double click the first Image Comp to open it; drag your photo to the Timeline.
  4. Select the photo in the timeline and press S on your keyboard to access the Scale settings. Adjust as needed.
  5. To reposition your image, select the layer in the timeline and drag the image in the media viewer. You can also press P on your keyboard and adjust the Position settings in the layer controls.
  6. Once you are satisfied with your image, close the sequence and continue to the next image comp.
  7. Next, open the Text folder and double-click on the first text comp.
  8. In the timeline, select the title layer and double-click the text in the media viewer to edit it.
  9. Adjust the Size, Font, and Title design in the Character panel; if you can’t find the panel, go to Window > Character.
  10. Once you’re happy with your title, close the sequence and move on to the next.
  11. To adjust the template colors, open the Color folder followed by the color comp.
  12. Select the Color Controller layer in the timeline and adjust the color settings in the Effects Control panel.
  13. Add music in the final comp timeline by dragging it to the timeline from the project browser.

Premiere Pro and After Effects templates are fantastic tools for editors of all skillsets. For beginners, there is no better way to get to know Adobe editing tools than to practice with templates. For professional editors, templates can save you time and allow you to create a library of quick and easy video styles. However you use templates, you’re sure to find the ideal download at Motion Array.