Working with iMovie - Beginner level

1.   Equipment
   
   1.   Digital video camera - charged batteries
      
   2.   DV film cassette
      
   3.   Sound equipment? If you can get it - it helps!
      
   4.   Use your fastest computer with iMovie loaded
      
2.   Pre-filming
   
   1.   Plan
      
      1.   Start by writing a synopsis of the story
         
      2.   Create storyboard: just like a comic strip. not a lot of details. Note location, dialogue, narration.
         
      3.   Filming day:
         
         1.   1 day if possible, no last minute changes. the storyboard is the plan.
            
         2.   Coach "actors" to speak loud and clear and to the camera, not each other.
            
   2.   Finished product desired
      
      1.   Video tape, DVD, web delivered?
         
         1.   The smaller the format (i.e. web delivered) closer "head shots" are the way to go.
            
3.   Filming
   
   1.   Closer shots are best.
      
      1.   Film 3 times from different angles for multi camera effect. you can edit between them for the "back and forth" exchange.
         
   2.   When filming start early - run late. it's easy to edit out the extra footage later.
      
      1.   Give director's count down (5,4,3,2,1... start filming on 4)
         
   3.   Sound is important! Make sure the kids are loud enough. Be aware of background noise.
      
   4.   Storyboard sequence means nothing. this can be done while editing. film in the most time efficient way.
      
4.   Transferring video to computer
   
   1.   Hook up and let it run. operate the camera through iMovie.
      
      1.   Take it all. you can edit out the junk later.
         
   2.   Once finished transferring, disconnect camera
      
   3.   Do not work off server. always save on computer
      
5.   iMovie Interface
   
   1.   Camera scissors switch. set to camera for video transferring, scissors for all editing.
      
   2.   Clip view and timeline view. use clip view for cutting and cropping, timeline for audio.
      
   3.   Don't empty iMovie trash until absolutely finished unless you just don't have the HD space on your computer
      
6.   Editing
   
   1.   Work from storyboard
      
   2.   Work in menu order (clips - photos - audio - titles- etc...)
      
7.   Clips
   
   1.   Create copies of clips to work with. select the clip, Edit>Copy, Edit> Paste. drag the copy to the bottom to work on it.
      
   2.   Work with rough edits first. get your clips in order. cut or crop them close but not exact.
      
   3.   Cut vs. crop
      
   4.   Once the rough copy is in place, cut and crop precisely
      
8.   Audio
   
   1.   Use timeline view. add extra audio to track 2 or 3.
      
   2.   Voice overs are possible if you didn't get clear sound or for narration.
      
   3.   Importing from another source
      
      1.   Extract audio
         
      2.   CD's
         
9.   Titles
   
   1.   "Over Black" is easiest to use. Careful not to get too carried away.
      
10.   Tips
    
    1.   Start easy:
       
       1.   No transitions or effects
          
       2.   30 - 60 second finished movie
          
    2.   Students can do a lot of this
       

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