Video editing doesn't have to be difficult or complicated, but it does require the right equipment. Get started video editing the right way with beginners' guide to video editing.
Video Editing Computer
1. Before you start your first Windows Movie Maker video editing project you should make sure that your computer and software are set up correctly. This checklist outlines everything necessary to successfully begin editing video on your computer.
2.
Upon opening the Movie Maker application you should name and save your new project. Do this by clicking CTRL + S or by using the File -> Save menu. This will open a window prompting you to name and save your new project.
If you're saving the project to an external drive it's helpful to first create a Movies folder. Saving all of your video projects here makes them easy to find and keeps the drive more organized.
3. Import Video from a Camera
If the video footage that you want to edit is on a tape you'll need to hook your camera or tape player into your computer. Plug in your camera's AC adapter so it stays powered while importing. Turn on the camera and put it in VTR or VCR mode (so that it plays video, instead of recording it). Now, connect the camera to the computer using a USB or FireWire cable.
From the Capture Video menu, select Capture from video device. This opens the Video Capture Wizard which you use to import video clips.
Using the controls on the camera, advance or rewind the tape to just a few seconds before the scene you wish to save. Play the tape, and press Start Capture when you want to begin saving to the computer. Hit Stop Capture when the scene is finished.
The video is saved as clips, in the proprietary Windows Media Format. The Capture Wizard lets you know how much video you have imported, in terms of time and file size. It also tells you how much space is left on the drive.
4. Import Video From Your Computer
If the video files you want to edit are already saved on your computer it's easy to import them into Movie Maker. Movie Maker accepts most video formats for import and then converts everything to Windows Media Format.
Select Import video from the Capture Video menu. This opens a window that lets you browse for your files.5. Import Pictures and Audio
You can import photos and music into your Movie Maker project in the same manner that you imported video files. Select Import pictures or Import audio or music from the Capture Video menu. From there browse for the files you need. The photos and songs that you import will show up as separate clip files within Movie Maker.
6. Now that you've imported the media you will use it's time to begin editing your project.
Start Your AutoMovie
1.
The AutoMovie function in Windows Movie Maker puts your computer to work to edit video and audio clips, making a finished movie with very little work by you.
From the “Edit Movie” panel, select “Make an AutoMovie.”
2. Select Editing Properties for Your AutoMovie
In the window that opens you can select the editing style that you want to use for your footage. The style you choose will be determined by the video footage that you are using, and what you want your final movie to look like.
After choosing your style, click “Enter a title for the movie.”
3. Give Your AutoMovie a Title
Now you can choose a title for the movie. This will appear on the screen before the video begins to play.
If you want music in the background of your video, click “Select audio or background music.” If you don’t want to add music, skip to step 6.
4. Select Background Music for Your AutoMovie
You can now browse for the music that you want to use in your video. Most likely the files should be saved in your “My Music” folder.
5. Adjust Audio Levels for Your AutoMovie
After selecting your music you need to decide how loud you want it to play. Use the audio levels slider bar to adjust the balance between audio from your video and audio from your background music.
If you want to only hear the background music slide the bar all the way to the right. If you want the music to play softly underneath the recorded audio footage slide the bar most of the way to the left.
After adjusting the audio levels click “Done, edit movie.”
6. Let Movie Maker Create Your AutoMovie
Now Movie Maker will analyze your footage and assemble your movie. This may take a while depending on how much footage you are using.
When the analyzing and editing is done the finished movie will show up in the storyboard of the Movie Maker program.
7. Add Finishing Touches to Your AutoMovie
Unlike iMovie’s Magic Movie, which creates a movie using all of your footage, the Movie Maker AutoMovie selects and uses only certain clips. So, when you watch the finished movie you may find that some of your favorite scenes are not included.
If you want to change anything in the finished AutoMovie it’s easy to go in and add the omitted scenes, or adjust clips and transitions.
8. Share Your AutoMovie
When your movie is finished you’ll want to share it with family and friends. The “Finish Movie” panel will help you easily export the final movie to DVD, your camera or computer, or the web.
Sources cited from :
1. http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/desktopediting/ss/startmm.htm