I. IMPORT

Importing refers to the process of getting your footage off of your tape and into the computer so that you can edit the video.

To hookup a video camera to import from MiniDV

Attach the large end of the Firewire cable to the computer and attach the other end to the video camera (see the photo included at the end of this handout).
If at all possible, use the AC adapter to provide constant power to the camera.
Turn on the video camera, placing it in "VCR" mode.
Turn on the computer.

Turn the VCR off.
Turn on the ADVC-100 (the small box on top of the VCR) using the power button on the back
Only the blue light next to "Analog In" should remain lit; if the other light is on, click the silver button on top.
Turn on the VCR.

Open iMovie by clicking on its icon in the dock at the bottom of the screen.
If iMovie prompts you with a Welcome message when it starts up, click the Create Project button. Otherwise, select File->New.
When prompted to Save the file:
- select Temp from the "Where" popup menu.
- include your network username (as in smithj) in the filename

Move the "Import/Edit" switch (the one to the left of the Rewind button) towards the camera icon (Import).
You can use the playback controls in iMovie to play the MiniDV tape in the camera; if you are importing from VHS, you will need to use the controls on the VCR.
When you get to a section you want to import, press the Import button.
To stop importing, press the Import button again.
NOTE: it is important to only import the sections of the tape that you intend to use to avoid wasting hard disk space.

Move the "Import/Edit" switchswitch (the one to the left of the Rewind button) to the scissors icon (Edit).
Create a rough cut by dragging your clips into the timeline in the order they should appear.
If you need to split a clip, scroll to the part of the clip where you want the split to occur, and select Edit->Split Video Clip at Playhead.

You rarely end up with perfect in and out points when importing your video. To make precise edits, follow these steps:
select the clip in either the timeline or the Clips shelf.
drag the two triangles underneath the blue bar to set the start and end point (your selected portion will turn the bar yellow). Use the cursor keys for precision.
select Edit->Crop.

Click the Editing button on the lower-right part of the window.
Select the Transitions tab in the upper-right part of the screen.
Select either the "Fade In" or "Fade Out" transition.
Adjust the Speed of the fade at the top of the window.
Drag the fade transition into the video timeline where the fade should occur or select the check mark in the preview window to apply the transition.

Click the Editing button on the lower-right part of the window.
Click the "Titles" button on the upper-right part of the window.
Click one of the "Centered Title" options for a standard title.
Type your desired title into the lower part of the window. Use short titles when possible.
Set the font face and size. Use as large a font size as possible since the finished video will be smaller in size.
Click the "Over Black" checkbox.
Adjust the fade in/out speed and the amount of time the title displays using the sliders at the top of the window.
A Preview will play in the preview window to show how it will look.
When it looks good, drag the "Centered Title" (or whichever title you chose) into the timeline at the spot where you want the title to occur or select the check mark in the preview window to render the title.

Once you've got your project edited, you should record it to tape for backup and archival purposes.
Hook the camera up with the Firewire cable as in the Import instructions above.
Set the camera to VCR mode.
Cue the tape to where you want to start recording (be careful not to erase something!)
Select File->Export.
Select Video Camera on the dropdown menu.
Enter "5" seconds for black at both the beginning and end.
Click Share.
iMovie is now recording your finished project back to the tape.

Follow the instructions below to generate your QuickTime Movie file for the web for use in your e-portfolio.
select File->Export from iMovie
select To QuickTime next to "Export"
select Web next to "Formats" (or follow the Expert Export directions)
click Export, name the file, and save to the Temp folder
quit iMovie
play the file to make sure it looks ok
upload the compressed video clip to your web site
if the compressed movie looks and sounds ok, delete your iMovie project from the Temp folder and empty the trash