When selecting to edit an imported video, the lower part of the screen is
completely empty. No bar with mode icons, no scene/Object info, no lower
toolbar. Why?
First of all, I advice you to read and study your Handbook. If you have a download version, I guess you need to download the Manual as a PDF-document as well.
Then, change to Timeline mode and right-click in the Video-track and choose Scene Detection. Follow the instructions, and the film is cut into scenes. Continue to work in Timeline mode.
I hope this helps you starting !