The Interview: Creating a Multicam Sequence in Premiere Pro

Topics Covered in This Premiere Pro Tutorial:

Creating a Multicam Clip, Editing a Multicam Sequence, Using a Rolling Edit

Exercise Preview

Exercise Overview

In this comprehensive three-part exercise series, you'll master the art of multicam editing by creating a professional interview video using footage from multiple cameras and angles. This workflow is essential for modern video production, whether you're editing corporate interviews, documentaries, or live events. You'll learn to synchronize footage from different sources and create a seamless multicam sequence that allows you to switch between camera angles effortlessly during the editing process—a skill that separates amateur editors from professionals.

Previewing the Final Video

Before diving into the technical aspects, let's examine the finished product to understand your creative objective.

1. First, preview what you'll be creating. Ensure your speakers are active or headphones are connected, as audio quality is crucial to this exercise.

2. Navigate to Class Files > Premiere Pro Class > Multicam Interview > Final Video on your Desktop and double–click Shanarra Interview.mp4.

3. As you watch, analyze these key production elements:

   • Notice how the edit cuts strategically to different camera angles at pivotal moments in the conversation, maintaining viewer engagement and visual interest.
   • Observe the three distinct camera perspectives: a wide establishing shot capturing both participants and the full couch environment (shot with Nikon D7500), an intimate close-up of the interviewer (Sony Cybershot), and a focused close-up of the interviewee (Canon T3i).

4. Review the video multiple times to internalize the pacing and cut points—you'll be recreating this exact sequence in the upcoming exercises.

Getting Started

Now we'll establish the project foundation with proper settings and import our source material.

1. Launch Premiere Pro and navigate to File > New > Project.

2. In the New Project dialog, enter yourname-TheInterview next to Name.

3. Click the Browse button adjacent to Location.

4. Navigate to Desktop > Class Files > Premiere Pro Class > Multicam Interview and select Choose (Mac) or Select Folder (Windows).

5. Under the Video section, confirm Display Format is set to Timecode.

6. Click OK to create your project.

7. Standardize your workspace by selecting Window > Workspaces > Editing, then Window > Workspaces > Reset to Saved Layout.

8. Import the required footage by selecting File > Import.
9. If not already there, navigate to Desktop > Class Files > Premiere Pro Class > Multicam Interview.
10. Enter the Capture > footage directory.
11. Select all three files using the standard method: click the first file, hold Shift, and click the final file.

12. With all three files highlighted, click Import (Mac) or Open (Windows).

Creating the Multicam Sequence

The multicam sequence is the cornerstone of professional multi-camera editing. This feature automatically synchronizes your source footage and creates a unified timeline that maintains perfect sync across all camera angles. This workflow has revolutionized interview and event editing, eliminating the tedious manual synchronization process that once plagued editors.

1. In the Project panel, select WS_couch7.mov first.

   Selection order matters critically here—we're choosing this clip first because it contains the highest quality audio track. Premiere Pro will use this selection hierarchy to determine camera numbering and audio preferences.

2. Hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and add CU1_Shanarra7.mov to your selection.

3. Continue holding Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and add CU2_Laune7.mp4.

4. Ctrl–click (Mac) or Right–click (Windows) on any selected clip and choose Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence.

5. Configure the multicam settings with precision:

   • Change the sequence name to Interview-Multicam.
   • Set the dropdown menu to Custom to prevent automatic prefixes.
   • Under Synchronize Point, select Audio. This leverages Premiere Pro's sophisticated audio analysis algorithms to automatically sync your footage—a game-changing feature that requires each camera to have recorded audio (quality is less important than presence for sync purposes).
   • Keep Sequence Preset at Automatic for optimal compatibility.
   • Ensure Move source clips to Processed Clips bin remains checked for organized project management.
   • Under Audio settings, set Sequence Settings to Camera 1 to utilize our highest-quality audio source.
   • Keep Audio Channels Preset at Automatic.
   • Under Camera Names, select Use Clip Names for clear identification.

6. Click OK to generate your multicam sequence.

7. Double-click Interview-Multicam in the Project panel to load it in the Source Monitor.

8. Play through the synchronized footage in the Source Monitor and observe:

   • All three camera angles display simultaneously in perfect synchronization—black sections at the beginning or end indicate cameras that started or stopped recording at different times.
   • Camera positioning follows your original selection order, providing predictable and logical switching behavior.
9. Right-click on Interview-Multicam in the Project panel and select Sequence Settings.

10. Modify the Timebase from 59.94 frames/second to 29.97 frames/second.

    This adjustment corrects a common field issue—59.94 fps was mistakenly set on the first camera during recording, while the other cameras used the standard 29.97 fps. For interview content with minimal motion, the lower frame rate is perfectly adequate and reduces processing overhead.

11. Click OK to apply the changes.

12. Create an editable sequence by right-clicking Interview-Multicam and selecting New Sequence From Clip.

13. In the Project panel, you now have two Interview-Multicam items with distinct icons:

    • The sequence icon represents your editable timeline (currently selected).
    • The multicam icon represents the synchronized source footage.

14. Rename the sequence to Interview-Multicam-edit for clear project organization.

15. Select the Interview-Multicam clip in the Timeline—this should be the only clip present.

16. Advance the playhead beyond the 30-second mark to access content from all cameras.

17. Press the 2 key (top row, not numpad) to switch to the interviewee camera.

    Remember: Use only the number row keys for camera switching—the numpad serves timecode entry functions.

18. Press 3 to switch to the interviewer's perspective.

19. Press 1 to return to the establishing wide shot. Experience the seamless switching that makes multicam editing so efficient!

Removing Unwanted Sections

Professional editing begins with content curation. In longer interviews, this stage would involve removing extraneous conversation, awkward pauses, and technical interruptions. Here we'll isolate the specific dialogue segment for our final edit.

1. Position the playhead just before the interviewer (Laune) asks, "Have you ever had any life-changing experiences…" (approximately 58;16). This marks the beginning of our target content.

2. Verify these Timeline settings are active:

   • Confirm Snap is enabled (blue icon) for precise editing.
   • Ensure Linked Selection is active (blue icon) to maintain audio-video synchronization.

3. Activate the Razor tool by pressing C.

4. Make a precise cut at the playhead position.

5. Move the playhead to just after "rapid pace" (around 01;19;07), when the interviewer looks down at her notes—a natural conclusion point.

6. Create another cut at this position.

7. Return to the Selection tool by pressing V.

8. Select the final section (starting around 01;20;00) and press Delete to remove both video and audio.

9. Select the initial unwanted section.

10. Right-click the selection and choose Ripple Delete to close the gap automatically.
11. Press the backslash (\) key to fit the remaining content to the Timeline window.

12. Review the edited conversation flow by playing through the sequence.

13. Save your progress with Cmd–S (Mac) or Ctrl–S (Windows).

Editing the Multicam

Now comes the creative heart of multicam editing: strategically switching between camera angles to enhance storytelling, maintain visual interest, and guide the viewer's attention. Professional editors use angle changes to hide unflattering moments, emphasize reactions, control pacing, and create visual metaphors that support the narrative.

1. Understand your camera switching system based on the original selection order:

   • 1 = Wide shot establishing both participants
   • 2 = Interviewee close-up (Shanarra)
   • 3 = Interviewer close-up (Laune)

   Test the switching by pressing 2, then 3, then 1 to confirm functionality.

2. Disable Linked Selection by clicking the icon until it turns white.

   This prevents audio cuts when changing video angles—essential for maintaining seamless dialogue flow.

3. Navigate to 4;16, just before Shanarra's "Oh wow" response.

4. Select the Razor tool (press C) and make a cut at the playhead.

5. Switch to the Selection tool (press V) and select the second video clip.

6. Press 2 to switch to Shanarra's close-up—perfect for capturing her emotional reaction.

7. Play through and pause after Shanarra completes "I feel like this moment is life changing," identifying the optimal cut point for returning to the interviewer's reaction.

8. Position the playhead at 10;00, near the end of "life changing."

9. Use the Razor tool (press C) to make another cut.

10. Select the third clip with the Selection tool (press V).

11. Press 3 to reveal Laune's reaction—this interviewer response adds credibility and engagement to the conversation.

12. Move to 11;11, just before Shanarra begins "Our cells are changing…"

13. Cut at this position using the Razor tool .

14. Select the fourth clip and press 1 to return to the wide shot, providing visual context for the ongoing dialogue.

15. For Shanarra's "at a rapid pace" statement, navigate to 15;15 and make another cut.

16. Select the fifth clip and press 2 to focus on Shanarra during this key phrase.

17. Cut after she completes "pace" at 17;00 using the Razor tool .

18. Select the sixth clip and return to the wide shot (press 1) for a strong concluding perspective.

19. Review your complete multicam edit to evaluate pacing and visual flow.

Using a Rolling Edit

The Rolling Edit tool represents one of Premiere Pro's most sophisticated trimming features. Unlike basic cuts that affect clip duration, rolling edits adjust the boundary between adjacent clips without changing the overall timeline length or affecting synchronization—perfect for fine-tuning reaction timing and emotional beats.

1. Navigate to approximately 8;26 and play through Shanarra's "I feel like this moment" line to identify the area needing adjustment. We want to capture more of Laune's authentic reaction to the "life changing" statement.

2. Access the Rolling Edit tool by clicking and holding the Ripple Edit tool in the Tools panel, or simply press N.

3. With the playhead positioned at 8:26, hover over the edit point between clips 2 and 3, then drag left until the edit snaps precisely to the playhead position.

   Critical: The Rolling Edit tool only functions when positioned directly over edit points, not over clip bodies.

4. Play back from around 8 seconds to evaluate the change. The Rolling Edit has successfully shortened Shanarra's close-up while extending Laune's reaction shot without breaking synchronization.

   However, you may notice Laune's lip-lick at the beginning of her extended close-up—an unflattering moment that demonstrates why precise edit timing matters in professional work.

5. Use the Rolling Edit tool to fine-tune the edit point, eliminating the distracting lip-lick while preserving Laune's genuine reaction.

6. Preview the refined edit to confirm the improved timing and visual appeal.

7. Save your work with Cmd–S (Mac) or Ctrl–S (Windows) and keep the project open for subsequent exercises.