Textbook- Chapter 4

Chapter Four:
Post-Production

NOTE: Diagram Missing. Click on the IMOVIE DIAGRAM link on the sidebar.

To understand iMovie, you must understand this diagram. This is EXACTLY what iMovie looks like. Use the below list for reference:

SCREEN This is the large blue area, where you will view your footage, and footage that you are importing.

SHELF This is the area to the side of the screen where your movie will be broken into “clips” and arranged neatly.

CLIP VIEWER This is where you will organize the clips into your movie. You can also view “TimeLine Viewer” which will allow you to view audio.


MORE BUTTONS!

VIDEO OPTIONS These buttons are the same as your VCR. You can play, rewind, fast-forward and pause your movie.

EDIT/IMPORT TOGGLE This button will allow you to switch between importing footage and editing existing footage.

SPECIAL BUTTONS Using these buttons you can do the following things:


AUDIO Insert audio effects from iMovie’s library, iTune’s library and an audio cd (or other music media device).

TITLES Insert a variety of special title effects, including credits.

TRANS Insert a variety of transition effects or effects that connect two clips.

EFFECTS Insert a variety of special effects or effects that take place in one clip.

THAT’S NICE. HOW DO I USE IT?

Okay first you will need to import footage:

1. Use the Edit/Import toggle switch, and switch to the camera(import).
2. Use the Video Options to get to the right place on your tape.
3. When you are ready, press the import button and then the play button (sometimes it will do it for you).
4. Note: Importing occurs in real time, so the computer will have to “watch” your entire movie while importing. No fast-forwarding.


Depending on your Preferences the clips will either go to your shelf or directly to your clip viewer. If you are copying an already finished movie (chronologically speaking) then it’s better just to import the movie into your clip viewer. If you are still putting it together, then you should put them in the shelf.






You can drag-and-drop clips in any order that you want. But you will want to cut out some parts (for instance the Action and Cut calls). Here is how you do that:

1. Play the clip and stop it before or after the part where you want to cut.
2. Go to Edit and select Split Video Clip at playhead.
3. Highlight the undesired clip and delete it.
4. Note: If you aren’t sure, you can put it back in your shelf for future reference.

That being done, you’ll want some title effects, no doubt?

1. Click on Titles in the Special Options Panel.
2. Choose the font, color and size of your text and place it in the text box.
3. Choose an effect.
4. When you have an effect that you like, highlight the effect name and drag-and-drop it down into the clip viewer.


Now you’ll want some audio effects, this is a little trickier.

1. Click on Audio in the Special Options Panel.
2. If you want to use sound effects that are in iMovie, then they will appear here automatically.
3. If you want to use music effects from a CD or other media, you will have to select it.
4. Note: If you are using music from an audio CD, you will not be able to eject the CD until you close out iMovie for some reason.
5. Place the audio effect in the clip viewer by doing one of the following.
a. Get your “playhead” over the place where you want to insert the music and then click Insert at Playhead.
b. Drag-and-drop it into the timeline viewer.
6. Note: You MUST be in timeline viewer to drag-and-drop, and after an audio effect goes into your movie it will automatically shift to timeline viewer.

Transition effects are kinda tricky too.

1. Click on Trans in the Special Options Panel.
2. Select an effect and it’s length of time (This must be shorter than the bridge between your two clips. Usually 1 to 2 seconds will suffice)
3. Drag it down between two clips.







Special effects are fun, but difficult.

1. Click on Effects in the Special Options Panel.
2. Choose an effect that you want (you can position some, and change the direction of others. Try experimenting with them to create totally new effects).
3. Highlight the clip you want to add the effect onto and select Apply
4. Note: Special effects are cool, but they take a LOOONG time to render.


Well, that’s about it for post-production. Now just sit back, and enjoy your movie. Your hard work has finally paid off.