How to Use iMovie
iMovie steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using an Apple computer or
cellular device. Be sure to look at the steps that correspond with the device that you are using!
STEP ONE: Download the application if you do not have it.
If you are using it on an Apple computer, there is a charge. Prior to downloading iMovie on a
computer, you must ensure that you have OS X 10.10 updated on your computer. There is also a
FREE version of iMovie available in the app store if you are downloading it onto an iPod, iPad or
iPhone. However, to download the free version, you must have iOS 8 or later.
STEP TWO: Open the app and choose to create a Movie. Then select your desired template.
While you are creating a trailer for this project, I ​do not​ recommend using the trailer template for
the purposes of this project because it provides limited frames for text and as such you will not be
able to include the text you need to fully explain your book and hook your viewer. Instead, you
should select to create a new “Movie.” The screen will then prompt you to choose a theme. You
may decide whether or not you want to use a theme.
iPhone
Computer
STEP THREE: Plan your pictures/videos and text. Then, upload them.
You should download all images and/or videos you need to your device in order to be prepared
to assemble your book trailer.
iPhone
Choose the
icon to upload your videos and image clips to your Movie. A screen will appear
that lists the options “All,” “Favorites,” “iMovie Media,” and “iCloud Drive.” Select where your
photo is saved. If it is saved on your phone, select “All.”At the bottom of the screen, you will see
tabs that list “Video,” “Photos,” and “Audio.” Select the tab that lists what you are looking for. You
can then click the photo/video/audio clip you want and it will be added to your Movie.
iPhone (cont.)
Computer
Click import media and then select the files that you wish to upload. Once you have selected all
files, click “Import Selected.” All imported images will be stored in your iMovie library, ready to
be inserted into your timeline. You will need to drag each image to the timeline so that they are
in the order that you want.
STEP FOUR: Add text to your trailer.
Make sure you plan out what text will appear with what clip. Think about if you want text to
appear over an image or on its own screen. ​If you think it will be difficult for your viewer to
read the text over pictures, you may want to consider adding a picture of a solid color ​(ie.
Google the color red and include a color that you can easily write over) to your trailer so that
your words are legible.
iPhone
To add text to your iMovie, you must select an image to add text to. When you select the image, it
will become highlighted in yellow, like the clip below, and a toolbar will appear at the bottom of
your screen. Select the “T” icon and then select the text style that you would like. To edit the text,
click where it states “Title Text Here.” You will then be able to modify the text so that you desired
words appear.
Computer
To add text to your iMovie, you must select an image to add text to. When you select the image, it
will become highlighted in yellow. You should then click the link that says “Titles,” which will
appear in the lower left hand corner of your screen. In the picture below, it is highlighted in grey.
After clicking titles, select the text that you would like. Once you have selected a text, it will
appear with a yellow rectangle around it. You should then click the purple box that appears above
the clip that states “Title Text Here.” Upon clicking this, a text box will appear on your image.
Double click the textbox and update the text accordingly.
STEP FIVE: Add music to your trailer. See instructions on adding voiceovers below.
To add music to your trailer, you must have the song saved as a file on your phone or computer.
Preferably, it should be saved in iTunes.
iPhone
Choose the
icon to upload your music clip(s) to your Movie. A screen will appear that lists the options
“All,” “Favorites,” “iMovie Media,” and “iCloud Drive.” Select where your music is saved. If it is saved on your
phone, select “All.”At the bottom of the screen, you will see tabs that list “Video,” “Photos,” and “Audio.” Select
“Audio” and then click “Songs.” When a new screen appears, you will select “Purchased.” All purchased songs
will appear on screen. Click the song that you want and then click the down arrow that appears. Upon clicking
the arrow, your song will be added to your movie and will appear under your images as a green bar. If you click
the green bar, a yellow box will appear and you can then modify the length and sound of the clip (to make it
louder, softer, or to make it fade out).
Computer
On the lower left hand side, click the tab that says “iTunes.” When you click it, all songs saved in
your iTunes library will appear at the top of your screen. After you select the song that you wish
to add to your clip, a green box will appear above your song list. Click the green box and drag it
underneath your trailer. Once you unclick and it will appear beneath your photos in a small, dark
green strip. If you click this green strip, a yellow box will appear and you can then modify the
length and sound of the clip (to make it louder, softer, or to make it fade out).
Adding Voiceovers
If you would like to include a voiceover in your book trailer, follow the steps below to learn how.
A voice over is when words are spoken throughout the trailer. You can either speak yourself or
have a friend or family member speak for you if you so wish.
iPhone
To record a voiceover on an iPhone, click the microphone button in the lower right hand corner of iMovie. A
screen will then appear that says “Ready to Record.” Click the red word that says “Record.” A new screen will
then pop up will a three second countdown. Do not start speaking until the 3-2-1 countdown has finished. When
you are finished speaking, press the white word that says “Stop.” A new screen will then pop up that will allow
you to review your recording. If you like it, click “Accept.” Your voice over will then appear underneath the
images for your trailer. Edit it as needed.
Computers
You can record your own narration to add to your movie. To do so, position the white line where
you want to start recording a voiceover for your movie. Once you have done this, click the tab
that says “Window” at the top of your screen and then select “Record Voiceover.” To start
recording, click the microphone button. To stop recording, press the microphone button again.
The voiceover will then appear underneath your background music and will be played over your
music.
STEP SIX: Adding transitions
It is important that you have smooth transitions between each clip in your book trailer. To find
out how to adjust transitions, follow the instructions below.
iPhone
To change transitions between slides, click on the arrow icon that appears between each set of
images (highlighted in yellow below). You can then select the new transition you want. To adjust
the time of transitions, click the numbers in the lower left hand corner of your screen.
Computer
To change the transitions between slides, click the link on the lower left hand corner of your
screen that says “Transitions.” A box will then appear with various transition options such as
cross dissolve, cross blur, etc. Click your desired transition and drag it to the arrow icon between
the two images. Your new transition will then replace the original transition.