Create linked iMovie projects for longer DV films

Jan 30, '03 10:03:33AM

Contributed by: igstudio

Recently I encountered a problem: I needed to make a movie longer than 60 minutes (which is the MiniDV standard). In order to utilize iMovie's "export to camera" feature I am so used to by now, I would have to create two projects for two parts of the movie (each under 60 minutes total), and export them separately to different tapes. This would create all kinds of little cosmetic issues, like the titles, transitions, etc. will be a bit different in each project, I would have to re-import DV clips (and I already have the complete movie edited and ready), and so on. Frankly, I just hoped to squeeze it into one hour, but there was nothing I could do about the good footage.

Here is the solution I came up with...

After your movie is complete (with "to be continued..." and "part two" titles in the middle), quit iMovie. Open the project folder, and simply duplicate the project file, then rename both files ("My Movie Part I", "My Movie Part II") and double-click Part I. When iMovie loads, select second part of the movie in the timeline window, and drag it back to the shelf, then save and close the project. Repeat the operation with the second file, moving the first part to the shelf.

You will end up with two exportable project, sharing one media folder and identical styling. Be careful, if you edit something after the split, NOT to empty the iMovie Trash - that could delete media clips used by the "twin" project.

[Editor's note: In order to drag clips back to the shelf, you need to have the timeline viewed in "clip" mode, not "timeline" mode. This is a great little trick if you create longer iMovie projects ... wish I would have known about it about six months ago, when I ran into the same problem!]

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