PE1_iMovie

For these next blog posts, I chose iMovie. I wanted to see exactly what this application can do. I wanted to know if this program was going to be just another cheesy program with limited features and capabilities, or is it going to be something that you can actually create nice looking videos with and then output them to various types and qualities and then share them on various platforms. Because I had done all of my film - editing using Adobe Premiere, and I was used to all the "bells and whistles," I wanted to see what this program was all about.

One of the nice things about iMovie that you can use either a memory or tape - based camcorder. I use both types of cameras for my productions, so it is nice to have the capability to use video off the memory card from one camera or use the film from another.

The command controls for using a film - based camera are easy to control. These commands resemble that on the VCR functions of a regular, inexpensive camcorder so you can quickly establish a connection.

But you can import video from other sources such as: a still photo camera with video capabilities, a video enabled phone, or the iSight on your Mac computer.

One of the nice features about iMovie is the work area. As opposed to the somewhat frightening appearance of the work area of Premiere, iMovie is laid out in such a way that the user can quickly and easily make his way within iMovie. Here are a few key areas that a new user might want to locate and become become familiar with:

• Project Library
• Project Editor
• Event Library
• Program Monitor
• Media Browser

These areas will serve as important areas for important areas for importing, editing, and polishing your video.

Once you have imported all the media you choose to work with, you can easily begin editing process. One of the fastest ways to view your imported video or stills it called "skimming." Skimming is a process where you drag your mouse of a selected area video or photo to view it. If you would like to view a clip, press the space bar to toggle play / pause. You can also browse or skim through video clips in full screen.

Well, I finished my iMovie training from Lynda.com. It took me two days, but I got it done. I must admit, I was skeptical of iMovie at first, for several reasons. First, I have had extensive experience using Adobe Premiere. So I was accustomed to the user interface, the functionality, the features, and the raw power of Premiere. Also, because I had used Premiere CS3 for so long, and then upgraded to CS5 through Fullsail, my standard only went higher. And so I approached using iMovie with apprehension. I thought, "This will be one of those cheap programs that you can't do anything with. This will only let you throw your video footage in there and put in some cheesy transition and that's it." Boy, was I wrong!!

Once I began to dive into iMovie a little more, I soon realized that iMovie was more than just a video - editing app for the average user, but it was a program that allowed the average videographer to import his footage, edit the clips using precision tools, add professional looking transitions, add custom sound effects and jingles, insert titles, graphics, and still photos, then export the project to a myriad of different qualities and platforms. I began to realize that there were many functions that make iMovie a very user - friendly program. Just take the workspace for example. Just by looking at the work flow area, it is easy to understand the layout of this program. From the project time line, to the edit workspace, to the media and effects browser, it makes it very east for the average user to quickly grasp how to navigate through work flow.

Then, something that I was really surprised to find, was that you can actually edited video using a chroma key. Now that really took my by surprise! I have always know of the "green screen" to be a professional tool to use. But if the person running the camera understands how to film using proper lighting and chroma key, then that opens up another level in iMovie. And with the advanced controls, the user has the option to insert key words for tagging video, select either favorite or rejected video, and record a voice over. Then, with the inspector, the fine tuning becomes even more minute. You can change the duration of transitions, reposition audio, trip audio and video clips, edit video effects, and many more. The potential of this program for the average to advanced user is huge and the learning cure is VERY low which is why iMovie is a great program with a lot of nice features for both the amature and the novice.