One highlight of Apple’s new iLife software suite is the tool to make personal movie trailers in iMovie. They can look fantastic, but be warned: You’ll need great clips to pull this off, and hours of spare time.
You can upgrade to the new iMovie only if you have Apple’s latest operating system, Snow Leopard.
Here’s how to make the trailer:
*Start by creating a new project. Choices for “project themes” (logos for your videos) and “movie trailers” will pop up. Some 15 trailer templates are available, including action, adventure, blockbuster and romantic comedy. All have titles, a suggested script, credit tools and background music supplied by the London Symphony Orchestra.
*Find your clips. This is what will take the most time. Any good trailer distills the best two minutes of a movie, using highlights that include action, movement, running, jumping, emotion, etc. Do you know where those moments are in your clips? Do you know where your clips are stored on your computer?
Once you find them, import them into iMovie — and be patient. The program creates thumbnails of your videos, so you can find specific moments in them more easily. The process is meant to be helpful but can take hours if your clip is long.
*Once your clips are in place, iMovie puts them in a storyboard. Text slides are provided as suggestions; you retitle them to fit your film. (“Alone in the wild … a family against the elements,” begins one.) IMovie suggests what kinds of clips to use, such as a close-up, medium and group shot, and solo action shot. The tips are pretty right on. You also get the opportunity to fill in the blanks on star, writer, director, etc.
*Want to add photos to the project? This would seem like a natural thing to do, since iLife is all…