How to Use iMovie: A Beginner's Guide to Editing Videos on Mac

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 9 min read

Do you want to create Hollywood-Style Movie trailers? An indie movie project? Films that look like they were made by your favorite movie makers? Editing videos with friends for fun? iMovie is a user-friendly video editing software, perfect for beginners looking to create professional-looking videos. With its intuitive interface, you can easily import, organize, and edit your video footage, bringing your vision to life. iMovie offers a range of special effects, such as transitions, titles, and animated backgrounds, that add flair and creativity to your video project. Fine-tuning your audio tracks and incorporating voiceovers further enhances the overall quality of your video.

In addition, iMovie allows you to customize your project settings, ensuring your entire video is cohesive and visually appealing. To make the editing process even more convenient, iMovie provides built-in templates and step guides, which serve as powerful tools for streamlining your workflow. When your editing journey is complete, iMovie enables seamless exporting in various formats, giving you the flexibility to share your impressive, polished videos with the world. Take your first steps into video editing with iMovie and discover the boundless possibilities this powerful tool has to offer.

1. Getting Familiar with iMovie

Before diving into the world of video and the editing process, it's important to understand the iMovie interface and how to navigate it. This section will cover the iMovie interface, importing videos, and using the library and browser.

1.1 iMovie Interface

The iMovie interface consists of three main sections:

Library:This is where all your projects and media files (videos, photos, and audio) are stored.
Browser:Located at the top of the screen, it displays the media files in your library, allowing you to select and preview them.
Timeline:This is where you'll assemble your video clips, apply transitions, and edit audio. It's a visual representation of your project's sequence.

Now that you know the main components of the iMovie interface, let's move on to importing videos.

1.2 Importing Videos

To start editing in iMovie, you'll need to import your video files. Here's how to use iMovie to import videos:

Open iMovie and create a new project by clicking on "Create New" and then "Movie".
In the library section, click on the "+" button to create a new event and give it a name.
Click on the "Import Media" button in the browser section, then navigate to the folder where your video files are stored. Select the files you want to import and click "Import Selected".

After importing your videos, you can organize them in the library and browser.

1.3 Using Library and Browser

The library and browser are essential for managing your video clips and other media files. Here's how to use iMovie's library and browser:

Organizing events:In the library, create events to categorize your media files. You can rename events by double-clicking on their titles, or you can merge events by dragging one event onto another.
Previewing clips:In the browser, click on a clip to preview it in the viewer. You can also skim through a clip by moving your cursor over it.
Sorting and filtering:Use the search bar, sort button, and filter button in the browser to find specific clips, sort them by date or duration, or filter them by type (video, photos, or audio).

Now that you know how to use iMovie's library and browser, you're ready to start editing your videos.

2. Basic Video Editing

With your videos imported and organized, it's time to learn how to use iMovie for basic video editing. Welcome to the editing stage! In this section, we'll cover editing tips, trimming and splitting clips, adding transitions, and adjusting the speed of your clips to get you ready to enter editing mode.

2.1 Trimming and Splitting

Trimming and splitting video clips are essential skills for creating a polished final product. Here's how to use iMovie to trim and split your clips:

Trimming:To trim a clip, click and drag the edges of the clip in the timeline. This will remove the unwanted parts of the clip.
Splitting:To split a clip, move the playhead (the vertical line in the timeline) to the point where you want to split the clip. Then, right-click on the clip and select "Split Clip" or use the keyboard shortcut Command + B.

By trimming and splitting your clips, you can create a more engaging and concise video.

2.2 Adding Transitions

Transitions can help your video flow smoothly from one clip to the next. Here's how to use iMovie to add transitions between your clips:

Select the "Transitions" tab above the browser.
Choose a transition style by clicking on it. You can preview the transition by hovering your cursor over it.
Drag the transition between two clips in the timeline. The transition will automatically be applied to both clips.
To adjust the duration of the transition, double-click on it in the timeline and enter the desired length in the "Duration" field.

Experiment with different transition styles to find the best fit for your video.

2.3 Adjusting Speed

Changing the speed of your clips can add excitement or emphasize specific moments in your video. Here's how to use iMovie to adjust the speed of your clips:

Slow motion:Click on the clip you want to slow down in the timeline. Then, click on the "Speed" button (a turtle icon) above the viewer and choose a slow-motion speed from the dropdown menu.
Fast motion:Click on the clip you want to speed up in the timeline. Click on the "Speed" button and choose a fast-motion speed from the dropdown menu.
Custom speed:To set a custom speed, click on the "Speed" button and choose "Custom". Then, enter the desired speed percentage in the "Speed %" field.

Adjusting the speed of your clips can create a dynamic and engaging video that keeps your audience's attention.

3. Working with Audio

Audio is an important aspect of any video, and learning how to use iMovie to work with audio can greatly enhance your final result. In this section, we'll explore adding background music, audio effects, adjusting audio levels, and adding voiceovers to your video.

3.1 Adding Background Music

Adding background music can set the mood and tone of your video. Here's how to use iMovie to add background music to your video:

Click on the "Audio" tab above the browser to access your music library.
Browse or search for a song or sound effect that fits your video.
Drag the audio file onto the timeline, placing it below your video clips.
Adjust the length of the audio clip by trimming its edges, just like you would with a video clip.

Remember to choose music that complements your video's content and doesn't distract from the visuals.

3.2 Adjusting Audio Levels

Ensuring that your audio levels are balanced is crucial for a professional-sounding video. Here's how to use iMovie to adjust the audio levels of your clips:

Adjusting individual clip levels:Click on the audio or video clip in the timeline. Then, drag the horizontal volume line up or down to increase or decrease the volume.
Applying fade-in and fade-out effects:Click on the audio or video clip in the timeline. In the audio inspector (a speaker icon), click and drag the fade-in and fade-out handles to create smooth transitions between audio clips.

By adjusting your audio levels, you can ensure that your audience can clearly hear all the important elements of your video.

3.3 Adding Voiceovers

Voiceovers can provide narration, commentary, or additional information to your video. Here's how to use iMovie to add a voiceover to your video:

Position the playhead in the timeline where you want your voiceover to begin.
Click on the microphone icon below the viewer to open the voiceover recording window.
Choose your input device and adjust the recording settings as needed.
Press the red record button to begin recording your voiceover. When you're finished, click the stop button.
Your recorded voiceover will appear as a new audio clip in the timeline. Trim and adjust the volume as needed.

Adding voiceovers can help you tell a more complete and engaging story with your video.

4. Adding Visual Effects

Visual effects can enhance your video by adding a touch of creativity and polish. In this section, we'll explore applying video filters, adding text and titles, and using the picture-in-picture feature in iMovie to create professional-looking videos.

4.1 Applying Video Filters

Video filters can give your footage a unique look and feel. Here's how to use iMovie to apply a video filter to your clips:

Select the video clip in the timeline you want to apply a filter to.
Click on the "Filters" tab above the browser (it looks like three overlapping circles).
Preview the available filters by hovering over them with your cursor.
Click on the desired filter to apply it to your selected clip.

Experiment with different filters to find the one that best complements the mood and style of your video.

4.2 Adding Text and Titles

Text and titles can provide context, introduce new sections, or display important information in your video. Here's how to use iMovie to add text and titles to your video:

Click on the "Titles" tab above the browser (it looks like a "T").
Choose a title style that fits your video and drag it onto the timeline, placing it above your video clips.
Double-click on the title clip in the timeline to edit the text, font, size, and color.
Adjust the duration of the title clip by trimming its edges, just like you would with a video clip.

Be mindful of your text and title choices — they should enhance your video without being too distracting.

4.3 Using Picture-in-Picture

The picture-in-picture feature allows you to display two videos or images simultaneously, which can be useful for tutorials, interviews, or side-by-side comparisons. Here's how to use iMovie's picture-in-picture feature:

Drag the video or image you want to display as the smaller picture onto the timeline, placing it above the main video clip.
Click on the smaller video or image clip in the timeline to select it.
In the video inspector (a video camera icon), choose "Picture in Picture" from the dropdown menu.
Adjust the size and position of the smaller video or image using the viewer's preview window.
Customize the border and drop shadow options, if desired.

With the picture-in-picture feature, you can create more dynamic and engaging videos for your audience.

Once you've finished editing your video masterpiece, it's time to export and share it with the world. In this section, we'll cover exporting options, sharing to social media, and burning your video to a DVD using iMovie.

5.1 Exporting Options

iMovie offers a variety of export options to suit your needs. Here's how to export your video in iMovie:

Click on the "File" menu in the top-left corner of iMovie and select "Share" > "File…"
In the "Export File" window, choose the desired resolution, quality, and compression settings.
Click "Next" to choose a destination for your exported video file.
Finally, click "Save" to start the export process.

Keep in mind that higher resolution and quality settings will result in larger file sizes, which may take longer to upload or download.

Sharing your video on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo is a great way to reach a larger audience. Here's how to use iMovie to share your video directly to social media:

Click on the "File" menu in the top-left corner of iMovie and select "Share."
Choose the desired social media platform (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo).
Sign in to your social media account and customize the video settings (e.g., title, description, privacy).
Click "Next" and then "Publish" to upload your video to the chosen platform.

Remember that each platform may have different video format requirements, so be sure to review their guidelines before uploading your video.

5.3 Burning to DVD

While DVDs may not be as popular as they once were, they can still be a useful way to share your videos with friends and family who may not have access to the internet. Here's how to burn your iMovie project to a DVD:

First, export your video from iMovie using the steps outlined in section 5.1.
Insert a blank DVD into your Mac's optical drive.
Open a DVD burning application, such as Burn or DVDStyler (both are free).
Follow the application's instructions to create a new DVD project, add your exported video file, and customize the DVD menu, if desired.
Click "Burn" to start the DVD burning process.

Once the process is complete, you'll have a physical copy of your video project to share or archive for future use.

Now that you've learned how to use iMovie to edit, enhance, and share your videos, it's time to start creating your own cinematic masterpieces. Have fun experimenting with different editing techniques and effects to discover your unique style and tell your story. With enough practice you will be able to produce gorgeous videos and adopt advanced editing techniques.

If you're looking to further enhance your film editing skills, we highly recommend checking out Jessy Moussallem's workshop, 'How To Edit A Movie: Guide To Film & Video Editing'. This comprehensive workshop will provide you with in-depth knowledge and techniques to master the art of film and video editing, taking your projects to new heights.