How to Change the Colour of an Adjustment Layer in Premiere Pro?

To change the colour of an adjustment layer in Premiere Pro, you need to apply colour correction effects to the adjustment layer itself. This will then affect all layers beneath it.

Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

1. Create an Adjustment Layer:

   • Go to the Project panel (usually located at the bottom left).
   • Right-click in an empty space.
   • Select New Item > Adjustment Layer.
   • Configure the settings (usually the same as your sequence settings) and click OK.

2. Place the Adjustment Layer in the Timeline:

   • Drag the adjustment layer from the Project panel to your timeline, placing it above the video clips you want to affect. The adjustment layer will apply its effects to everything on the tracks below it.
   • Adjust the length of the adjustment layer to cover the duration of the footage you want to colour correct.

3. Apply Colour Correction Effects:

   • Select the adjustment layer in the timeline.
   • Go to the Effects panel (Window > Effects, if you don't see it).
   • Search for colour correction effects. Popular options include:
     • Lumetri Color: A comprehensive colour correction tool. Use this for primary and secondary colour grading.
     • Three-Way Color Corrector: Another powerful tool for colour adjustment.
     • Fast Color Corrector: A simpler option for quick adjustments.
     • Brightness & Contrast: For basic adjustments to brightness and contrast.
     • Tint: To apply a specific colour tint.
   • Drag your chosen effect onto the adjustment layer in the timeline.

4. Adjust the Effect Settings:

   • Go to the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls, if you don't see it).
   • You'll see the settings for the colour correction effect you applied.
   • Modify the settings (e.g., exposure, contrast, shadows, highlights, colour balance, curves) to achieve the desired colour change. Experiment to see what works best for your footage. Using Lumetri Color panel is often preferred for fine-tuning.

Important Considerations:

• Layer Order: The adjustment layer affects everything below it. Make sure it's positioned correctly in your timeline.
• Multiple Adjustment Layers: You can use multiple adjustment layers to apply different colour corrections to different sections of your footage or to stack effects.
• Scope of Effects: Changes made to the adjustment layer will affect all layers below it, making it a non-destructive way to apply the same colour grade to multiple clips.
• Rendering: Adjustment layers may require more processing power to render, especially if you are using complex effects.