iMovie is a digital video editing software program for the Mac and some iOS systems. With iMovie, you can import video from several sources (such as a miniDV tape, VHS recording or DVD) or record directly in iMovie using a Web cam. Once you have imported your video you can trim content, combine clips, insert images, add audio tracks, special effects, and transitions to create a finished movie.
What can it do?
- Perform basic video edits with a library of special effects and transitions
- Connect a digital video camera or a Web camera to import video
- Link with iTunes and iPhoto for easy import of audio tracks and still images
- Export video in QuickTime files or share directly on websites including Facebook and YouTube
Uses in a Course
- Preparation of short clips for streaming or download
- Editing platform for original student films
- Digitizing classroom video footage
- Digital storytelling projects
Access
- iMovie is available to use on CoRE and Digital Studio Mac desktops.
- iMovie comes pre-installed in every Mac.
- iMovie is available in iOS App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users.
Things to Consider Before Using iMovie
- iMovie is designed for educational and home users, it doesn’t have advanced features found in professional video editing software like Adobe Premiere
- An iMovie project file is not suitable for uploading or streaming, it must be exported as a MP4 or WAV file.
- Even short films take several gigabytes of storage in the editing process, make sure your computer has enough space.
- Editing short films is a multi-day process.
- Additional hardware may be needed for digitizing VHS or DVDs.
Additional Help
- Student Technology Assistants are available to help at the Digital Media Bar in Andrews Library in the CoRE
- CoRE Consultants are available to help in the Digital Studio in Andrews Library
- Educational Technology offers support and training for iMovie
- Apple offers official iMovie support
