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Editing in Windows Movie Maker

If you are using a Windows computer, you already have Windows Movie Maker installed on your computer. Here's how to use it to edit your videos.

For this tutorial, we will be relying on a few key sources. We recommend that you look over them now and decide which one is best for you.

For step-by-step guides with screenshots, we will be linking to Microsoft's Movie Maker page, and a more detailed version at About.com (although it also has irritating advertisements).

For videos we will be using simple About.com videos and more detailed step-by-step videos from Atomic Learning (and with better accents) . 

There is no need to look at all of these, just click through what is most useful to you. This lesson will take you through the basics you need to get your project video online.

First...get to know Windows Movie Maker!

Important Note: Windows Move Maker looks a bit different if you are using Windows Vista. All of the commands are the same, but the layout can look different. Explore around and you'll find your way.

What if you don't have Movie Maker? If for some reason you can't find movie maker in your Programs, you can download it here:

Let's Get Started.

1. Importing Videos into Movie Maker

Now that your videos are on your computer (if not, see the earlier step on Copying from Camera to Computer), you are ready to edit them using Windows Movie Maker. You will need to import your videos to be able to view them.

2.  Starting and Saving Your Project

This is the most important step to save you the frustration of losing your project. Save at the beginning and save often.

Mega Super Important Note: If you are using Windows XP (not Vista), you will need to set up Windows Movie Maker to show your movies in widescreen format. Otherwise your film will look out of proportion. To make your movies widescreen, follow these steps:

  • Movie Maker, click Tools and then select Options from the drop down menu.
  • Select the Advanced Tab
  • Under Video Properties, you will see a row called Aspect Ratio. Make sure it is set to 16:9.
  • Click on OK.
  • Instructions not clear enough? The video above on Starting and Saving Your Project shows how to make this adjustment toward the end of the video.
     

3. Editing Your Video Clips

You should now be able to see your video clips and other pictures you have imported. Now start to edit your movie by trimming out those bits you don't want.

4. Adding Titles and Credits

You can add text slides in your video to introduce (titles) and close (credits) your movie.

5. Transitions and Effects

This step takes you from clips to a movie. Transitions are essential to have, effects are more optional, but do play around with them as they can be a lot of fun.

6. Adding Music and Sound

A great way to tie your movie together is through adding a soundtrack, whether it's your favourite tune or a certain sound effect you think will add to your video.

Want to do more? You can be the narrator of your video. See this simple guide and the video.

And again we remind you: Save your project and save your frustration!

7. Save Your Video for the Web

When your project is ready to go, you will need to save it in a format that will be easy to upload on video sites. This step is really important because it will determine the quality of your final video.

Reminder of that Mega Super Important Note: If you are using Windows XP (not Vista), you will need to set up Windows Movie Maker to show your movies in widescreen format. Otherwise your film will look out of proportion. To make your movies widescreen, follow these steps:

  • In Movie Maker, click Tools and then select Options from the drop down menu.
  • Select the Advanced Tab
  • Under Video Properties, you will see a row called Aspect Ratio. Make sure it is set to 16:9.
  • Click on OK.
  • Instructions not clear enough? The video above on Starting and Saving Your Project shows how to make this adjustment toward the end of the video.

If you've made it this far, well done! You have successfully edited and produced your own movie.

Last Tip: Save your final videos in a separate folder so they are easier to find when you want to upload them in the next tutorial.

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