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Lynda Premiere Pro 2020 — Essential Training Better

Most “better” alternatives are chaotic. A YouTube playlist might have 50 videos in random order. By contrast, this Lynda course is organized into chapters:

This scaffolded approach ensures you don’t learn how to color correct before you understand timeline resolution. That is the definition of “better” for a beginner or intermediate editor.


This sounds counterintuitive, but here is a pro tip: Do not obsess over codecs and bitrates during your first pass.

In the Essential Training, the Export chapter is often dense and filled with technical jargon (H.264 vs. ProRes, VBR 1 pass vs. 2 pass). This information is crucial, but it kills motivation for beginners who just want to see their video on YouTube. lynda premiere pro 2020 essential training better

The Better Approach: Learn the "Match Source" button. That’s it. Get your video out of the software and onto the web. You can circle back to the technical details of bitrate optimization once you are actually comfortable editing. A slightly imperfect export of a great edit is better than a perfect export of a project you never finished.

Some users argue that newer courses are “better” because they cover 2024 features like text-based editing or AI scene detection. Let’s address that.

| Criticism | Reality Check | |-----------|----------------| | “It doesn’t cover the latest beta features.” | Correct. But those features are unfinished. Mastering fundamentals on a stable 2020 build makes learning new features trivial later. | | “The interface looks slightly different.” | Minimal. Premiere Pro’s core layout (Project panel, Source Monitor, Timeline) hasn’t changed radically. You can adapt in one day. | | “It’s not free like YouTube.” | LinkedIn Learning is often free through public libraries (more on that below). And your time is valuable—no ads, no “smash that like button.” | Most “better” alternatives are chaotic

The course is not outdated. In fact, many professional studios stick to 2020 LTS (Long Term Support) versions for reliability. Learning on the version they actually use is a strategic advantage.


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Let’s be honest: In the video editing world, four years might as well be a decade. If you open a tutorial from 2020, you risk staring at a purple timeline (before the 2022 color overhaul) or hearing about "new" features like Auto Reframe that are now standard. This scaffolded approach ensures you don’t learn how

So, when I decided to revisit Ashley Kennedy’s Premiere Pro 2020 Essential Training on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), I had low expectations. I assumed it would feel like a museum piece.

I was wrong. Mostly.

Here is my honest, proper look at whether this 2020 course is a classic or a fossil.


| You should take this course if... | You should skip it if... | | :--- | :--- | | You are a complete beginner who feels overwhelmed. | You want to learn the 2026 interface specifically. | | You value theory, organization, and narrative editing. | You need to learn how to use AI tools (Text-Based editing). | | You are using an older computer or an older version of CC. | You primarily edit social media shorts/reels (workflow is different). | | You want to work professionally in TV/Film (where 2020 workflows are still standard). | You get bored by explanations longer than 4 minutes. |