using the imovie app create a movie...
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Using the iMovie App
Create a movie project –from apple.com
With iMovie, it’s easy to create an exciting, professional-looking movie right on your iOS
device.
First, choose a movie theme with titles and graphics.
Next, add video clips, photos, or audio, and adjust your project’s settings (such as turning
theme music on or off). Finally, edit your movie to give it a professional look and feel.
Create a movie
1. From the Projects browser or Theater, tap the Create button , then tap Movie.
If you’re editing a project, tap the back button until you return to the Projects
browser.
2. Tap to select a movie theme (in landscape mode, scroll to see more themes).
3. To preview a selected theme, tap the Play button in the viewer.
4. To create a movie using the selected theme, tap Create Movie in the upper-right
corner.
5. To add video and photos to your project, do any of the following:
o To add existing video: Tap Video in the media library, tap the clip you want to
add, then tap the arrow to add the clip to your project.
If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner to see the media library.
o To add an existing photo: Tap Photos in the media library. Find the photo you
want to add, then tap to add it.
If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Photos at the bottom of the media library.
o To record video or take a photo directly into the project: Tap the Camera
button .
6. To change project settings, tap the Project Settings button , then do any of the
following:
o To change the theme: Tap to select a different one.
o To add theme music to your movie: Tap to turn on Theme Music. The music
automatically loops, if necessary, to play for the duration of your project.
o To have your movie fade in from a black screen at the beginning: Tap to turn
on “Fade in from black.”
o To have your movie fade out to a black screen at the end: Tap to turn on
“Fade out to black.”
o To allow pitch changes in audio when speeding up or slowing down video
clips: Tap to turn on “Speed changes pitch.”
7. Tap outside the project settings to close them.
Undo or redo an action
You can undo actions up until the last time you opened iMovie.
Do one of the following:
Tap the Undo button .
To redo the action, touch and hold the Undo button, then tap Redo Project Edit in the
pop-up menu. Tap outside the menu to close it.
Shake your device and tap Undo Project Edit or Redo Project Edit.
Tip: If you’re creating a music video, you can add the music to your project first so that you
can align video clips to it.
Add video clips and photos from the
Camera Roll or Photos app
Add video clips
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears where you want to add a video clip.
The new clip is added either before or after the existing clip, whichever is closest to
the playhead.
2. Tap Video on the right above the timeline.
All your video clips appear in the media library above.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap the Video button at the bottom of the media library.
3. In the media library, do any of the following:
o To preview a clip before adding it to your project: Tap to select a clip, then
tap the Play button .
You can also swipe your finger left and right over a clip to manually preview
it, which can help you identify exactly which part of the clip you want to use.
o To sort clips by date: Tap the disclosure triangle at the top of the media
library, then tap Oldest First or Newest First.
o To show only unused or favorite clips: Tap the disclosure triangle at the top of
the media library, then tap Favorites or Unused.
If you want to mark a clip as favorite, tap “Find more favorites” and follow
the instructions in Review and share video clips.
4. To add a clip, do one of the following:
o To add an entire clip to your movie project: Tap the clip, then tap the arrow .
o To trim the clip before you add it: Tap the clip, drag the yellow trim handles
to select just the portion of the clip you want to add, and tap the arrow .
You can also trim a video clip after you add it to a project.
o To add the clip’s audio only: Tap the clip, tap the More Options button ,
then tap the Audio Only button .
o To add the clip as an overlay: Tap the clip, tap the More Options button ,
then tap one of the following options:
Cutaway: Adds the clip so that during playback, the movie “cuts
away” from the main clip in the timeline and shows the cutaway clip
instead.
Picture-in-picture: Adds the clip so that during playback, the clip
appears inside the main clip in the timeline.
Split-screen: Adds the clip so that during playback, the clip
appears next to the main clip in the timeline.
To learn more about video overlays, see Adjust video and photo effects.
The added portion of the clip appears in the media library with an orange line at the bottom
to indicate that it’s already being used in the project. You can use any portion of video as
many times as you want in a project.
Add photos
You can add photos—those in your Camera Roll or synced to your device from your
computer—to any iMovie project.
To learn how to take photos directly into iMovie, see Record video and take photos.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears over the location where you want to add the photo.
You can move the photo later if you want.
If the playhead is over a video clip, the photo is added either before or after the clip,
whichever is closest to the playhead.
2. Tap Photos on the right above the timeline.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, tap the Media Library button in the
upper-right corner, then tap Photos at the bottom of the media library.
3. Tap Camera Roll, Photo Library, My Photo Stream, or an album, then tap the photo
you want to add.
To preview a photo before adding it, make sure the iPad is in landscape orientation,
then touch and hold the photo in the media library until it appears in the pop-up
viewer.
The added photo appears for a duration of 3 to 6 seconds, depending on the length of
the transitions that appear before and after the photo, but you can shorten or extend
the duration using trim handles. A Ken Burns effect is also applied to the photo,
which means the camera appears to sweep across and zoom in on the image. To
adjust this effect, see Adjust video and photo effects.
Record video and take photos
You can record video or take photos directly into your movie project.
Record video
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears where you want to add the new video.
2. Tap the Camera button , and swipe toward Video to put the camera in video mode.
Note: iMovie automatically rotates your camera to landscape orientation before
recording.
3. Tap the Record button to begin recording video; tap it again to stop recording.
4. To preview the video, tap the Play button ; tap it again to stop.
5. Tap Use to add the video to your project, or tap Retake to discard the previous take
and record new video.
Recorded videos are stored in your media library (in Video > iMovie Media). To make them
available for use in other projects, see “Send recorded video to the Camera Roll,” below.
Take photos
You can take photos directly into an iMovie project, for use in that project only.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears where you want to add the new photo.
2. Tap the Camera button , and swipe toward Photo to put the camera in photo mode.
Note: For best results, rotate your device to landscape orientation before taking
photos for use in a video project.
3. Tap the Shutter button to take a photo.
4. Tap Use to add the photo to your project, or tap Retake to delete the existing photo
and take a new one.
Send recorded video to the Camera Roll
You can send video that you recorded directly into an iMovie project to the Camera Roll,
which allows you to use the video in other movies and trailers.
1. Open the project that contains the video you want to send to the Camera Roll.
2. If your videos don’t appear in the media library, tap Video.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Video at the bottom of the media library.
3. Tap the disclosure triangle at the top of the media library, then tap “Manage local
media.”
4. Tap the Move button next to each video clip you want to move.
5. When you’re finished, tap Done.
After you send recorded video to the Camera Roll, the video still appears in the iMovie
Video browser.
Work with themes
Each iMovie theme includes coordinated screen titles, transitions, and music that make your
project look professional. You can change your project’s theme at any time.
Change a theme
1. With the project open, tap the Project Settings button .
2. Tap a different theme to select it.
3. Tap outside the project settings to close them.
When you change the theme, any visual theme elements (such as titles and transitions) in the
project are changed to match the new theme.
Turn theme music on or off
When you turn on theme music in project settings, the music is set to loop, playing for the
duration of your project.
1. With the project open, tap the Project Settings button .
2. Tap to turn Theme Music on or off, then tap outside the project settings to close them.
To learn how to use background music in your movie, see Add audio.
Change theme music
Each iMovie theme comes with its own theme music, which you can turn on or off in project
settings. You can choose other theme music without affecting the visual elements of your
current theme.
1. With your project open, tap Audio in the media library.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Audio at the bottom of the media library.
2. Tap Theme Music, then do either of the following:
o To preview theme music: Tap a theme, then tap the Play button .
o To add theme music to your project: Tap a theme, then tap the arrow .
Arrange video clips and photos
The iMovie timeline is where you edit your movie by adding, arranging, and trimming your
video clips.
You can zoom in or out and trim, move, or rotate video clips using simple gestures.
Zoom in or out
Pinch closed in the center of the timeline to zoom out, or pinch open to zoom in.
Zooming in lets you see more detail in each clip in the timeline and may make it
easier to trim clips. Zooming out lets you see more clips in the timeline at once,
without scrolling.
Zooming in and out doesn’t affect the duration of your clips or your movie.
Scrub video
“Scrubbing” a clip is another way to preview it. When you scrub, you manually move
backward and forward through the clip so that you can view it in detail.
In the Video pane of the media library, touch and hold the clip you want to preview
until the playhead appears, then drag your finger back and forth along the clip.
The video plays in the viewer, or in a pop-up viewer, as you drag your finger.
Quickly navigate to the beginning or end of your project
To move the playhead to the beginning of your project: Touch and hold the left side
of the timeline, where the video meets the edge of your screen.
To move the playhead to the end of your project: Touch and hold the right side of the
timeline, where the video meets the edge of your screen.
Move video clips or photos
1. With your project open, touch and hold the video clip or photo in the timeline until it
pops off the timeline.
2. Drag the video clip or photo to a new location in the timeline, and release.
Trim a video clip or photo
You can trim a video clip or photo in the timeline to shorten or lengthen its duration.
Note: By default, a photo appears in the timeline as a clip that remains onscreen for 6 to 12
seconds. When you trim a photo, you change its duration.
To learn more about how to manipulate photos in your movie, see Adjust video and photo
effects.
1. With your project open in the timeline, tap the video clip or photo you want to trim.
2. Drag either yellow trim handle to shorten or lengthen the clip or photo.
If you try to increase the clip’s length but the trim handle won’t move, it means there
are no additional frames of video on that end of the clip.
Rotate a clip
You can rotate a video clip in 90-degree increments, clockwise or counterclockwise.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline until the clip you want to rotate appears in
the viewer.
2. In the viewer, move your finger and thumb in a clockwise or counterclockwise
twisting motion over the video image.
When the white arrow appears, the video clip has been rotated 90 degrees. It may take
a moment for the clip to appear rotated in the viewer.
Repeat this gesture as many times as necessary to achieve the orientation you want.
Delete a video clip or photo from a project
When you remove a video clip or photo that you added from the media library, it’s removed
from the project but is still available if you want to use it again.
Media that was either recorded into the project or embedded as part of an imported project
remains in your media library (in Video > iMovie Media) unless you send it to the Camera
Roll. Photos taken into a project can’t be moved to the Camera Roll.
With your project open, do one of the following:
Touch and hold the video clip or photo in the timeline until it pops off the timeline,
then drag it out of the timeline; when you see the puff of smoke in the corner of the
clip, release it.
Tap the video clip or photo in the timeline, then tap the Trash button .
Adjust video and photo effects
The viewer in iMovie includes controls for adjusting effects, including how big or small
video clips appear during playback, how photos move using the Ken Burns effect, and how
video overlay effects such as picture-in-picture appear.
Adjust the movement of photos with the Ken Burns effect
iMovie applies the Ken Burns effect to the photos you add to your project. With this effect,
the camera appears to sweep across and zoom in on the photo. If there are people in the
photo, iMovie uses face detection to keep faces within the viewing area.
You can adjust the Ken Burns effect so that the motion starts and ends on the parts of the
image you specify.
1. In the timeline, tap the photo you want to adjust.
The Ken Burns effect controls appear in the lower-right corner of the image in the
viewer.
2. To set the way the photo is framed at the beginning, tap the Start button .
3. Pinch to zoom in or out, then drag the image in the viewer to frame it the way you
want.
4. To set the way the photo is framed at the end, tap the End button .
5. Pinch to zoom in or out, then drag the image in the viewer to frame it the way you
want.
6. To close the controls, tap the Ken Burns Effect button , or tap outside of the clip.
If you don’t want the Ken Burns effect applied to a photo, set the image position and zoom
level to be the same for the start and end points.
Adjust a video clip’s zoom level
1. With your project open, tap to select a video clip in the timeline.
2. To set the viewing area within the clip, tap the Zoom Control button in the viewer.
3. Pinch to zoom in or out, then drag the image in the viewer to frame it the way you
want.
4. To preview your adjustments, tap the Play button .
Adjust video overlay effects
iMovie lets you add video clips as overlays, which appear on top of the main clip in the
timeline. Video overlays can be arranged in the same way as any other video clip. There are
three overlay options:
Cutaway: Adds the clip so that during playback, the movie “cuts away” from the
main clip in the timeline and shows the cutaway clip instead. The audio of the main
clip is still heard.
Picture-in-picture: Adds the clip so that during playback, the clip appears inside the
main clip in the timeline.
Split-screen: Adds the clip so that during playback, the clip appears next to the main
clip in the timeline.
Use the viewer controls to adjust how your cutaway, picture-in-picture, or split-screen video
clips appear during playback.
1. With your project open, tap to select the overlay clip in the timeline.
The overlay clip becomes outlined in yellow, and additional controls appear in the
viewer.
2. Do any of the following:
o To reposition or resize a picture-in-picture clip in the viewer: Tap the Position
Control button , then drag to reposition the overlay clip or pinch to resize it.
o To set the viewing area within the clip: Tap the Zoom Control button , then
pinch to zoom and position the viewing area within the overlay clip.
o To reset all adjustments: Double-tap the Zoom Control button .
3. To preview your adjustments, tap the Play button .
Make advanced adjustments
To make more advanced adjustments to your video clips, tap a clip to reveal the inspector,
which shows more options for adjusting clip speed, splitting clips, or creating freeze frames.
Create a copy of a clip
You can create a copy of any video clip in the timeline for use in another place in your
project.
Duplicating a clip doesn’t create another copy of it in the media library, in the Video
browser, or in your device’s Camera Roll, nor does it take up additional storage space on
your device.
1. With your project open, tap a video clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Duplicate.
A duplicate clip is added to the timeline after the original clip. You can then move or
edit the duplicate clip separately from the original.
Split a clip
When you split a clip, you can adjust the duration of each section, remove unwanted sections,
or add different titles to each section.
To split a clip in iMovie, you can either use the Video inspector or use a simple gesture in the
timeline.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline to position the playhead where you want
to split a video clip.
Tip: Make sure the playhead isn’t positioned at the very beginning of the clip.
2. Do one of the following:
o Tap a clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector at the bottom of the
screen, then tap Split.
o Tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe down over the
playhead to split the clip, as if you were using your finger to slice through it.
iMovie inserts a None transition (also known as a cut and shown by this icon ), between the
two newly created clips. You can change this transition to a cross-dissolve or other transition.
To learn how, see Modify transitions.
Add a freeze frame
You can create a freeze frame (a still image taken from video) from any frame of a video clip
in a project. You might want to do this, for example, to draw attention to a specific frame of
video for comic or dramatic effect.
You can use a freeze frame only in the project where you created it.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline to position the playhead (the white vertical
line) over the frame of video that you want to appear in the freeze frame.
Tip: Make sure the playhead isn’t positioned at the very beginning of the clip.
2. Tap the clip to reveal the Video inspector at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Freeze.
The freeze frame is inserted at the playhead position, effectively splitting the clip.
iMovie automatically inserts None transitions (shown by the icon) before and after
the freeze frame.
By default, the freeze frame is set to appear for 2 seconds. To change the duration, tap
the freeze frame, then drag either of the yellow trim handles right or left.
Alternatively, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe up over the
playhead to create a freeze frame, as if you were using your finger to slice through it.
You can change the style of the cut transitions to cross-dissolve or themed transitions.
You can work with freeze frames in the same way you work with photos, moving them to
another location in the project, trimming them, or deleting them.
Adjust speed
You can adjust the speed of video clips in iMovie.
1. With your project open, tap a video clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Speed, then drag the slider right to increase the speed, or left to decrease it.
Note: The range of speed adjustments may vary by device.
As you drag, the relative speed is displayed to the right of the slider (2x means twice
the normal speed, 1/2x means half the normal speed, and so on).
3. Tap the back button to return to the inspector, or tap outside the speed controls to
dismiss them.
By default, iMovie automatically adjusts the speed of slow-motion video clips that are added
to iMovie. To turn this setting off on your device, go to Settings > iMovie, and tap to turn off
“Automatic slow-motion effect.”
iMovie also preserves the pitch of audio in video clips that are sped up or slowed down. To
change this, tap the Project Settings button , then tap to turn on “Speed changes pitch.”
This allows a recorded voice to be higher when sped up or lower when slowed down.
Fine-tune the transition point
iMovie automatically adds a transition between video clips in your project. You can use an
editing tool called the precision editor to control precisely where the video clips before and
after a transition end and begin.
1. In the timeline, tap the icon for the transition you want to change, then tap the yellow
double arrows to open the precision editor (or pinch open vertically over the
transition icon).
As shown below, the transition overlaps the beginning frames of the second video
clip and the ending frames of the first video clip.
The dimmed portions of the video clips outside the transition represent unused video
and aren’t viewable during playback.
2. Do any of the following:
o To change the point at which the first video clip ends and the transition
begins: Drag the yellow handle on the top clip to the right or left.
As you drag, the viewer displays the frame of video beneath the playhead (the
white vertical line). This is the last frame of video that plays before the
transition begins.
As you move the top handle, the bottom handle and bottom video clip follow
it to preserve where the transition ends.
o To change the point at which the transition ends and the second video clip
begins: Drag the yellow handle on the bottom clip to the right or left.
As you drag, the viewer displays the frame of video beneath the playhead (the
white vertical line). This is the first frame of video that will play after the
transition ends.
As you move the bottom handle, the top handle and top video clip move with
it to preserve where the transition begins.
o To change where the transition starts and ends between the video clips: Drag
the transition icon located between the clips to the right or left.
The total duration of the transition, and of the entire project, stays the same.
3. To close the precision editor, tap Done, or tap the yellow double arrows.
You can also pinch closed vertically over the precision editor.
To learn how to use the precision editor to make advanced edits to the audio in your project,
see Extend audio from one video clip over another.
Add audio
You can add background music, special effects, or your own recorded audio to iMovie.
Add background music
You can add any of the following types of background music to a movie project:
Theme: Music that comes with each Apple-designed iMovie theme
iTunes: Songs from iTunes that have been synced to your device using iTunes on
your computer
Imported: Songs that you created in GarageBand, Logic Pro X, or another application
and imported into iMovie using iTunes on your computer
Note: Songs that appear dimmed or are marked Unavailable need to be downloaded to your
device for use in iMovie. Use the Music app to download songs from iTunes in the Cloud, or
use iTunes on your computer to sync songs from your iTunes library. If a song on your
device still appears unavailable, it may be of a type that can’t be used in iMovie. For
example, songs protected by digital rights management can’t be used in iMovie.
Background music clips are colored green in the timeline. If you add a song that’s less than 1
minute long, it behaves the same as a sound effect in the project and is colored blue in the
timeline.
1. With your project open, tap Audio at the top of the screen.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Audio at the bottom of the media library.
2. To find music previously synced to your device from your computer, tap Theme
Music or any one of the listed categories.
3. To listen to the music before adding it, tap the item, then tap the Play button .
4. To add the music to your movie project, tap the item, then tap the arrow .
Tip: If you’re creating a music video and want to align video clips to specific points in the
music, add background music to your project first. (If the music is shorter than 1 minute, you
must add video to the project before you add the music.)
By default, iMovie automatically loops background music to fit the length of your movie.
You can add multiple songs as background music, but iMovie automatically arranges them to
play one song at a time. You can also manually adjust the length if you want.
Add just the audio from a video clip
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears where you want to add the audio clip.
If the playhead is resting over an existing clip, the new clip is added either before or
after the existing clip, whichever is closest to the playhead.
2. Tap Video on the right above the timeline.
All your video clips appear in the media library above.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Video at the bottom of the media library.
3. In the media library, do any of the following:
o To preview a clip before adding it to your project: Tap to select a clip, then
tap the Play button .
You can also swipe your finger left and right over a clip to manually preview
it, which can help you identify exactly which part of the clip you want to use.
o To sort clips by date: Tap the disclosure triangle at the top of the media
library, then tap Oldest First or Newest First.
o To show only unused or favorite clips: Tap the disclosure triangle at the top of
the media library, then tap Favorites or Unused.
If you want to mark a clip as a favorite, tap “Find more favorites” and follow
the instructions in Review and share video clips.
4. In the media library, tap the video clip, then tap the More Options button .
5. Tap the Audio Only button .
Add sound effects
iMovie comes with dozens of free sound effects that you can add to your movie.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears over the location where you want the sound effect to begin.
2. Tap Audio at the top of the screen.
Note: If your iPad is in portrait orientation, first tap the Media Library button in
the upper-right corner, then tap Audio at the bottom of the media library.
3. To listen to the effect before adding it, tap the effect, then tap the Play button .
4. To add the effect to your movie project, tap the effect, then tap the arrow .
Sound effect clips are colored blue in the timeline. If you add an imported sound effect that’s
1 minute or longer, it behaves the same as background music in the project and is colored
green in the timeline.
Record audio
You can record audio, such as voiceovers, directly into your iMovie project.
Recorded audio clips are colored purple in the timeline and can be edited in the same way as
any other audio clip.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical
line) appears over the place where you want the recording to begin.
2. Tap the Record Audio button in the lower-right corner, and when you’re ready, tap
Record. After a 3-second countdown, begin recording.
3. When you’re done, tap Stop.
4. Do one of the following:
o To delete the recording and dismiss the recording controls: Tap Cancel.
o To start the countdown again and record a new audio clip: Tap Retake.
o To listen to the recording: Tap Review.
o To keep the recording and add it to your project: Tap Accept.
After you record audio, it becomes available in the media library (in Audio > Recordings) so
that you can use it in another project.
Arrange audio clips
The timeline in iMovie is where you arrange all of your audio clips, such as background
music and special effects. Audio clips always appear beneath video clips in the timeline.
Move an audio clip
You can move an entire audio clip, except the background music, to a different place in your
project.
1. With your project open, touch and hold the blue or purple audio clip in the timeline
until it pops off the timeline.
2. Drag the clip to a new location in the timeline, and release.
Adjust the duration of an audio clip
1. With your project open in the timeline, tap the audio clip (in blue or purple) or the
background music clip (in green) you want to adjust.
Yellow trim handles appear.
2. Drag the trim handles at either end of the clip to the points where you want the audio
to begin and end.
If a trim handle won’t move right or left, it means there is no additional audio to work
with on that end of the clip.
3. Tap outside the audio clip to make the trim handles disappear.
Split an audio clip
There are two ways to split an audio clip in iMovie. When you split a clip, you can remove
unwanted sections, or adjust the duration, volume, or speed of each section.
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline to position the playhead where you want
to split an audio clip.
2. Tap the audio clip in the timeline to reveal the Audio inspector at the bottom of the
screen.
3. Tap the More Options button , then tap Split.
Alternatively, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe down over the
playhead to split the clip, as if you were using your finger to slice through it.
Detach the audio from a video clip
You can detach the audio from a video clip so that you can remove the audio or edit it as a
separate clip.
1. With your project open, tap a video clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Audio, then tap Detach.
A new blue-colored audio clip appears beneath the video clip. You can now move,
delete, or edit the audio clip separately from its parent video clip.
If you want to add only the audio from a video clip to your movie project, see Add
audio.
Remove an audio clip from a project
When you remove an audio clip that you added from the media library or recorded with your
device, it’s removed from the project but is still available in the media library (in Audio >
Recordings) so that you can use it in another project.
With your project open, do one of the following:
Touch and hold the audio clip in the timeline until it pops off the timeline, then drag it
out of the timeline; when you see the puff of smoke in the corner of the clip, release
it.
Tap the audio clip in the timeline, then tap the Trash button .
Move audio to the background or foreground
To make sure that the sound in your video clips can be heard over the background music,
iMovie applies audio “ducking” to background music. Ducking lowers the volume of
background music clips whenever there is a video clip whose sound is playing at the same
time.
You can choose which audio clips are in the background or foreground (you can have three
foreground audio clips and one background audio clip playing at any given time).
1. Tap an audio clip in the timeline to reveal the Audio inspector at the bottom of the
screen.
2. Tap the More Options button , then tap Move to Background or Move to
Foreground.
The color of the clip changes to indicate whether it’s background music (green) or
foreground audio (blue or purple).
Adjust audio
After you’ve arranged your audio clips in the timeline, you can fine-tune volume levels, fade
the audio in or out, and even change the speed of your clips.
Show or hide audio waveforms
Audio waveforms are visual representations of the actual sound. You can show audio
waveforms to adjust and compare volume levels between clips or to help align audio clips
with your video.
Note: Because photos don’t contain audio, they don’t have waveforms.
With your project open, tap the Waveform button .
Waveforms change as you adjust clip volume and are color-coded with yellow and
red peaks, so you can see whether your audio is loud or distorted. In this example, the
recorded audio clip (in purple) contains some of these peaks.
Yellow indicates that the audio is just above the ideal volume range. Red indicates
that the audio is too loud and potentially distorted; you should lower the clip’s
volume until there is little to no red.
If you mute a clip, the waveform appears dimmed but is still visible.
Adjust volume
1. With your project open, tap a clip in the timeline to reveal the inspector at the bottom
of the screen.
2. Do either of the following (if the Audio inspector isn’t showing, tap Audio):
o To turn sound off or on for a clip: Tap the Mute button next to the volume
slider. When the clip is muted, tap the Mute button again to turn sound on.
When you turn off the sound for a video clip, a mute icon also appears in the
upper-left corner of the clip in the timeline.
o To adjust volume: Drag the volume slider left or right.
To make sure that the sound in your video clips can be heard over the
background music, iMovie applies audio “ducking” to background music.
Ducking lowers the volume of background music clips whenever there is a
video clip whose sound is playing at the same time. When a video clip’s
sound is off, ducking isn’t applied.
3. Tap outside the inspector to close it.
Fade audio in or out
You can quickly add fade-ins and fade-outs to audio clips in the timeline using fade handles.
Fades appear as shaded areas in the clip to represent where the volume increases or
decreases.
If you have a video clip with audio, you must first detach the audio as a separate clip in order
to create fade-ins or fade-outs. To learn how, see Arrange audio clips.
1. With your project open, tap an audio clip in the timeline to reveal the Audio inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Fade to reveal fade handles at the beginning and end of your clip.
3. Drag the fade handles to set the duration of the fade-in and fade-out.
Adjust speed
You can adjust the speed of audio clips in iMovie.
By default, iMovie preserves the pitch of audio clips that are sped up or slowed down. To
change this, tap the Project Settings button , then tap to turn on “Speed changes pitch.”
This allows a recorded voice to be higher when sped up or lower when slowed down.
1. With your project open, tap an audio clip in the timeline to reveal the Audio inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Speed, then drag the slider right to increase the speed, or left to decrease it.
As you drag, the relative speed is displayed to the right of the slider (2x means twice
the normal speed, 1/2x means half the normal speed, and so on).
3. Do one of the following:
o To return to the inspector: Tap the back button .
o To close the inspector: Tap anywhere outside of the inspector.
Extend audio from one video clip over
another
You can use the precision editor, an advanced editing tool, to create a split edit in iMovie.
In a split edit, the audio from a video clip begins before the video appears, or the audio of
one video clip continues after the video from the next clip begins. For example, video of
someone talking about a birthday cuts to video of the birthday party, but the sound from the
birthday party video starts before the person has finished talking.
Editing audio in this way doesn’t change the duration of your project, nor does it cause the
audio and video to get out of sync.
To learn more about the precision editor, see Make advanced adjustments.
Create a split edit
1. In the timeline, tap the transition icon between the clips whose audio you want to
change.
2. Tap the yellow double arrows to open the precision editor, or pinch open vertically
over the transition icon.
3. If audio waveforms aren’t showing, tap the Waveform button  .
The example below shows a transition outlined by yellow video handles and blue
audio handles.
4. Do any of the following:
o To extend the audio from the first clip over the second clip: Drag the blue
handle in the top waveform right, to the point where you want the audio to
end.
o To stop the audio in the first clip before the clip’s video ends: Drag the blue
handle in the top waveform left, to the point where you want the audio to end.
o To introduce the audio from the second clip while the first clip is playing:
Drag the blue handle in the bottom waveform left, to the point where you
want the audio to begin.
o To introduce the audio from the second clip after the clip’s video starts
playing: Drag the blue handle in the bottom waveform right, to the point
where you want the audio to begin.
A combination of these actions may be necessary to achieve the audio transition you
want. In the example below, the audio from the second clip starts before the second
clip’s video, while the first clip is playing.
5. To preview the edit, drag in the timeline so that the playhead (the white vertical line)
is before the transition, then tap the Play button .
6. Tap the yellow double arrows, or pinch closed vertically, to close the precision editor.
Split edits appear in the timeline with indicators in the audio portion of the transition, as
shown.
Add a title to a video clip or photo
You can add a title to any video clip or photo in your project. Each title style animates onto
the screen and remains onscreen for the entire duration of the video clip or photo to which
it’s added.
Add a title
1. With your project open, tap a video clip or photo in the timeline to reveal the
inspector at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Title.
3. Do either of the following:
o To change where the title appears onscreen: Tap None, Opening, Middle, or
Closing.
o To change the title style: Tap the Title button , then tap to select a title style.
4. In the viewer, tap the sample title text (Title Text Here), then type a title.
Note: Depending on which theme you apply to your project, the location of the photo
or the video clip (for example, “Golden Gate Bridge” or “San Francisco”) may appear
below the title. You can change this location information. To learn how, see Change
location information.
5. Tap Done on the keyboard.
A photo or video clip with a title appears in the timeline with a T icon in the upper-left
corner.
Edit title text
1. With your project open, scroll the timeline until the title you want to edit appears in
the viewer.
2. Tap the title in the viewer.
3. Do one of the following:
o To erase the entire title: Tap the Clear button , then type a new title.
o To edit part of a title: Type new text in the text field.
4. Tap Done on the keyboard.
Change the title style
1. With your project open, tap a video clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Title.
3. Tap the Title button , then tap a different title style to preview it in the viewer.
4. Tap outside the title styles to dismiss them, or tap the Title button .
Remove a title from a video clip or photo
1. With your project open, tap a video clip in the timeline to reveal the Video inspector
at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Title.
3. Tap None.
4. Tap outside the inspector to close it, or tap the back button .
Change location information
iMovie uses information about where your video clips and photos were recorded to fill in
titles that appear onscreen in a project. For example, if you add a title to a video clip that was
recorded in San Francisco, that title includes the name “San Francisco” for certain themes
(such as Travel or News).
You can change the location information associated with a photo or video clip after you add
it to a project. For example, instead of having the title show “San Francisco,” you might want
it to show “Golden Gate Bridge.”
Change location information for video clips and photos
1. With your project open, tap a video clip or photo in the timeline to reveal the
inspector at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Title.
3. Tap the Location button .
4. Do one of the following:
o To set the location of the video clip or photo as your current location (where
you are in the world now): Tap the crosshairs (to the left of Other).
o To set a different location: Tap Other, then type a location name in the search
field. Tap one of the possible matches that appear below.
o To provide a custom, nonstandard location name, such as “Mom’s House” or
“Cara’s Cool Cafe”: Tap the name of the location (above Other). You can use
the Delete key to erase the existing location name and type a new one. Tap
Done on the keyboard.
5. Tap outside of the location screen to close it.
Modify transitions
A transition affects how clips look when one clip changes to the next. By default, iMovie
inserts a transition between every video clip and photo in your project.
You can change individual transitions so that they have different visual effects, and you can
also adjust the duration of a transition, so that it’s up to 2 seconds long (provided that the
surrounding clips are longer than 2 seconds).
Modify a transition
1. With your project open, tap the icon in the timeline for the transition you want to
change.
2. In the inspector at the bottom of the screen, tap to select one of the following
transitions:
None Cuts from one clip to another with no effects.
Theme Uses custom effects from the movie theme you’re using.
Cross-dissolve
One clip dissolves into another. If this option isn’t available,
it means the clips on either side of the transition aren’t long
enough to create a cross-dissolve.
Slide One clip slides into another in the direction you pick. Choose
left-to-right, right-to-left, bottom-to-top, or top-to-bottom.
Wipe
A line wipes one clip into another in the direction you pick.
Choose left-to-right, right-to-left, bottom-to-top, or top-to-
bottom.
Fade through black
or fade through
white
Choose a black or white fade from one clip to another.
3. The icon changes to indicate the type of transition you selected.
4. To change how long the transition lasts, tap the duration shown.
The available durations are determined by the lengths of the clips on either side of the
transition, up to a maximum of 2 seconds. The cut transition ( ) has no duration.
5. Tap outside the inspector to close it.
Add a sound effect to a transition
Each transition style in iMovie comes with a Hollywood-style sound effect to enhance what
you see. You can turn the sound effect on or off for each individual transition.
1. With your project open, tap the icon in the timeline for the transition you want to
change.
2. In the inspector at the bottom of the screen, tap the Mute button to turn the sound
effect on or off (by default, it’s off).
3. To preview the sound effect, scroll the playhead before the transition in the timeline,
and tap the Play button in the viewer.
4. Tap outside the inspector to close it.
Remove a transition
To remove a transition from your project, you simply change it to None, so that one clip
“cuts” directly to the next without additional visual effects.
1. With your project open, tap the icon in the timeline for the transition you want to
remove.
2. In the inspector at the bottom of the screen, tap the None button .
3. Tap outside the inspector to close it.
Start your movie with a fade-in or end it with a fade-out
You can give your project professional polish by setting it to fade in from black at the
beginning or fade out to black at the end.
1. With your project open, tap the Project Settings button .
2. Tap to turn on “Fade in from black” or “Fade out to black.”
When you add a fade-in or fade-out effect, a fade-in icon (shown below, on the left)
or fade-out icon (shown below, on the right) appears in the first or last clip in your
project in the timeline.
3. Tap outside the project settings to close them.
To learn more about fine-tuning the point where a transition occurs, see Make advanced
adjustments.
To learn how to make advanced audio edits using the precision editor, see Extend audio from
one video clip over another.
Moving a project from iMovie to Dropbox
Once you’ve completed your iMovie project, you will want to save it to your Dropbox. To do this, you must first save it to the Camera Roll. Then move it to Dropbox. This is a necessary step because the next person using the iPad might delete your project!
You can always edit your project further at a later date.
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