iMovie 7 Editing
a step-by-step guide prepared by Jeff Achen, Consultant www.mnvideopro.com
iMovie Editing Basics (iMovie version 7)
Materials: Laptops with iMovie, Video Cameras, 1394 cable Topic 1: Downloading • Connect the camera with the computer using the 1394 cable, making sure the camera is on playback or VCR mode. • Open iMovie program and create a new project. To capture or download the movie footage click on the camera icon.
A new screen will open, a shot of your camera footage. Click play, then “import”. • When all the video you need is captured, press done.
Topic 2: iMovie basics • Now that you have the clips, you are ready to begin moving them into the timeline area where they can be edited together. The timeline is the area at the bottom of the screen. You should see your imported clips listed in the library and the selected clips in the imported clips section on top. • To move the clips to the timeline, simply click and grab the clip you wish to use.
To grab only a portion of the clip (called cropping it down), click and drag from a start point. This yellow highlighted section can then be clicked and dragged into the timeline. This is how you build your video.
Topic 3: Editing basics • As you build your video, your aim should be to create a sequence of 3-5 second clips that transition from wide to medium to tight shots of the subject. • Once you have the clips cropped and in the order you desire, you can begin working on sound and transitions. Topic 4: Transitions • To add transitions, simply click on the transition icon in the tools section under the video. You can add fade ins or outs at the beginning and end of your video. If you need cross dissolve transitions, simply click and drag the cross dissolve transition between the two clips you wish to transition from/ to.
• Lastly, you’ll want to add a subtitles for interviews. Click on the “T” icon in the tools area. Selecct the style of subtitle you like and drag it to the clip on the timeline. You can then shorten or lengthen the time the subtitle stays up on the screen. In the video section, type in the information for the subtitle.
Topic 5: Downloading for the Web • To share or export your video as a file for use on the Internet, you’ll need to save the project, then select “export using Quicktime.”
This will prompt another menu. Select “Quicktime” from the menu and “Broadband - high”. This allows you to select the bandwidth and achieve the right size file for upload to video hosting sites like YouTube or Blip.tv.
Next you’ll want to fine tune the file export settings. Click “options”. This will bring up the “Movie settings” tab.
Next, click “size”. Then select 1280 x 720 HD from the “Dimensions” drop down menu (if you filmed in widescreen mode. If you filmed in standard 4:3 mode, then use NTSC 720 x 480 4:3) Click ok.
Next, click on the settings button. Under “Data rate” select automatic. Then make sure the “Quality” slider is set to “high”. You can set it to “medium” for longer videos to ensure they playback on the web reasonably. Click ok.
Now you’re done. Just give your movie a name and select a destination for the file to be created and in a few minutes you’ll have your movie ready to upload to the web!