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1) What is Windows Movie Maker?
Windows Movie Maker is a fun and easy to use video editing program that allows you to make home movies,
automated photo albums and business presentations. It is included as part of the Windows XP operating
system.
Version Version 2.1 of Windows Movie Maker can be downloaded for free, to upgrade your existing version.

2) Common Terms Used in Windows Movie Maker

There are terms that are specific to video editing software types of programs. The nice part is that once you
learn terms used in Windows Movie Maker, those same terms are used in many other similar software
programs, so they are easily transferable.

a. Storyboard

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In Windows Movie Maker or other movie making software, the storyboard is an editing area located at the
bottom of the window. It is a panel of pictures or other movie clips, laid out in the sequence that will be
shown in the movie.
The picture on the left shows the storyboard view in Windows Movie Maker.
See also ~
Storyboard View in Windows Movie Maker

b. Timeline

Screen shot Wendy Russell

The Timeline view of Windows Movie Maker or other movie making software shows the components of the
movie such as photos, video and audio clips in the order and timing that they will appear in movie.
The picture on the left illustrates the timeline view in Windows Movie Maker.
See also ~
Timeline View in Windows Movie Maker

c. Video Capture

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A video capture is the process of transferring the video you recorded from a video camera or other video
recording device (such as a cell phone), to your computer. This process is done by attaching the video camera
to your computer, with a special USB cable (which usually comes with the camera on purchase).

Video can be captured and/or sent to a variety of sources/output devices as shown in the picture on the left.

d. Video Clip

Screen shot Wendy Russell

A video clip is a small section of a larger video presentation. A series of video frames are run in succession to
produce a short, animated video. This compilation of video frames results in a video clip.
The picture on the left shows a video clip in the Windows Movie Maker timeline.
See also ~
Import Video Clips into Windows Movie Maker
Edit Video Clips in Windows Movie Maker

e. Video Frame

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A video or movie frame is a single picture or still shot, that is shown as part of a larger video or movie. Many
single pictures are run in succession to produce what appears to be a seamless piece of film or videotape. Each
frame can be selected on its own to print out a single photograph.
The picture on the left shows many frames in a reel of movie film.

f. Video Transition

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Video transitions are the visual movements as one picture or video clip changes to another.
The picture on the left shows a video transition in progress across a single image in the video clip.
See also ~
Add Video Transitions in Windows Movie Maker

g. Video Effects

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Windows Movie Maker video effects differ from video transitions. The motion applies to the individual
picture itself rather than to the change from one picture to another.
The picture on the left shows a sepia video effect applied to the video clip.

3) First Steps in Windows Movie Maker

A first look at the Windows Movie Maker screen. Get to know the Storyboard view and the Timeline view of
Windows Movie Maker. This Windows Movie Maker tutorial will also show you how to import pictures to
begin your movie.
Overview of the Windows Movie Maker Screen

Overview of the Movie Maker screen

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Before we can start making a movie, lets look at the parts of the Windows Movie Maker window.
1. Movie Task View
o Links to the various tasks to create your movie.
2. Collections View
o A list of all imported components for your movie - photos, videos or sounds.
3. The Preview Screen
4. The Timeline or Storyboard
o All parts of your movie, whether photos, videos or sounds are dragged to this area.
5. Timeline View of Windows Movie Maker

6.

7. Timeline view of Movie Maker

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9. Note - Clicking the Show Storyboard link returns you to the Storyboard view. This link will then read
Show Timeline. Clicking on the link Show Timeline returns this area to the Timeline view. You will use
both views during the creation of your movie.
Import Pictures into Windows Movie Maker

Import pictures into Windows Movie Maker

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Steps to Import Pictures
1. Click on the Capture Video link to open the list of options. In this example we will be using still
pictures and music to create our movie.
2. Click on Import pictures and locate the folder containing your pictures.
3. Select the picture files you wish to import.
Tip - To select several picture files which are listed consecutively, click the first filename in the list, and then
while holding the Shift key, click on the last filename in the list. This will select all the files at once to import.
Similarly, to select several files that are not in consecutive order, hold the Ctrl key rather than the Shift key
and then click on the different filenames you wish to import.
Collections View of Windows Movie Maker

Your pictures imported into the Collections in Windows Movie Maker

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Your pictures should now appear in the Collections view. Click on the different pictures to see them in the
preview window.
Drag Pictures to Storyboard

Drag pictures to the storyboard in Windows Movie Maker

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Drag your pictures to the Storyboard area of the window. The Storyboard is where you will build your
movie.
Notice that after you drag your picture to the Storyboard, it still remains in the Collections view. You can use
the same object many times in your movie if you wish.
Save Your Windows Movie Maker Project

Save the project for further editing

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Before you proceed any further, you should save your project. It is a good idea to do this frequently
throughout the movie making process.
From the main menu, choose File > Save Project.
Windows Movie Maker saves the project in the file format .MSWMM which allows for editing at a later time.
When your movie is complete, you have additional options for saving the file, so that it may be played in a
webpage or emailed, for example. These other options do not allow editing, so it is important to save your
working file in the Movie Maker project format.

4) Import Video Clips into Windows Movie Maker

Import an existing video clip that you have saved previously on your computer. This video clip will have a file
extension of one of the many compatible video file types, such as AVI,MPG, ASF or WMV, to name a few.
This imported video clip can be added to existing still pictures already in your movie project.

Import a Video Clip into Windows Movie Maker

Import Video clips into Windows Movie Maker

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Note - This tutorial is Part 2 of a series of 7 tutorials in Windows Movie Maker. Back to Part 1 of this
Tutorial Series.
Import a Video Clip into Windows Movie Maker
You can import a video clip into a brand new Windows Movie Maker project or add a video clip to an existing
movie in the works.
1. Important - Make sure that all components of this project are saved in the same folder.
2. In the Tasks pane on the left side of the screen, click on Import video under the Capture Video
section.
Locate the Video Clip to Import into Windows Movie Maker

Locate the video clip to import into Windows Movie Maker

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Locate the Video Clip to Import
Once you have chosen to import a video clip in the previous step, you now need to locate the video clip saved
on your computer.
1. Navigate to the folder that contains all the components of your movie.

2. Click on the video file you wish to import. Such file extensions as AVI, ASF, WMV OR MPG are the
most commonly selected video types for Windows Movie Maker projects, although other file types can
also be used.

3. Check the box to Create clips for video files. Videos are often comprised of many small clips, which
are marked by the creating program when the file is saved. These smaller clips are created when the
video process is paused or there is a very obvious change in the filming. This is helpful to you, as the
video editor, so that the project is broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Not all video files will be broken into smaller clips. This depends on which file format the original
video clip was saved as. Checking this box to create clips for video files, will separate the imported
video clip into smaller clips, if there are obvious pauses or changes in the original video clip. If you
choose not to select this option, the file will be imported in as a single video clip.
Preview the Video Clip in Windows Movie Maker

Preview the video clip in Windows Movie Maker

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Preview the Video Clip in Windows Movie Maker
1. Click on the new video clip icon in the Collections window.
2. Preview the imported video clip in the preview window.
Drag Imported Video Clip to Windows Movie Maker Storyboard

Drag video clip to Windows Movie Maker storyboard

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Drag Imported Video Clip to Storyboard
Now you are ready to add this imported video clip to the movie in progress.

Drag the video clip icon from the Collections window to the desired location in the storyboard.

Note - If you wish to place the video clip in a location that already contains another object, such as a
still picture, simply drag the imported video clip just before the other object on the storyboard. This
will insert the video clip before that object.

Save the Windows Movie Maker Project

Save the Windows Movie Maker project containing the video clip
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Save the Windows Movie Maker Project
Once the video clip has been added to the storyboard, you should save your new movie as a project. Saving as
a project allows for further editing at a later time.
1. Choose File > Save Project or Save Project As... if this is a new movie project.
2. Navigate to the folder that contains all of the components for your movie.
3. In the File name text box, type a name for this movie project. Windows Movie Maker will save the file
with a file extension of MSWMM to indicate that this is a project file and not a completed movie.

5) Edit Video Clips in Windows Movie Maker

Once you have imported a video clip you may wish to edit it by trimming or deleting extraneous parts. It is a
simple matter to edit the video clip by splitting it into smaller parts.

6) Adding Music and Sounds

These two audio file types and can be imported into Windows Movie Maker to enhance your movie. Audio
files reside in their own specific location on the Timeline of the project window. This Windows Movie Maker
tutorial will show you how to add music, sound or narration to your movie.

7) Add Narration to Your Movie

This Windows Movie Maker tutorial shows you how to create a narration audio file and place it in your
movie. You may choose to narrate portions of the movie, placing the audio file between other sound files, or
you may narrate the whole movie.

8) Video Transitions and Video Effects Enhance Your Movie

Video Transitions and Video Effects add additional visual interest to your movie presentation. This Windows
Movie Maker tutorial will show you all the steps to add transitions and video effects to your movie.

9) Titles and Credits Complete Your Movie

Titles and credits are the final touches to apply to your Windows Movie Maker project. These can be animated
and colorful on their own, or can be placed as overlays on top of photos or video clips in your movie. This
Windows Movie Maker tutorial will show you how to add titles