# Well, crap. I've been volunteered to edit a video. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909 "2016-07-26T02:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/1 "2016-07-26T02:08:45Z")
I can use a camera. I can load 16 mm film into a magazine inside of a changing bag by feel. I can light a set. What I can’t do is edit. I tried to explain to Mrs. L.A. that cinematography and video editing are two different things. The only video editing I’ve done was butting together three clips in iMovie, and I had to come here to ask how to do _that!_ But she won’t take ‘No’ for an answer. I said I’d try. The video is for a memorial. I gather there are photos of the deceased, and they want a montage with music. So I’ll need to know how to do titles, how to do dissolves, how to put the music on, and… whatever else video editors do. A little help? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/2 "2016-07-26T02:11:23Z")
Well… do you still have iMovie? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/3 "2016-07-26T02:12:28Z")
iMovie can do everything you need. I can give you some help if you require it. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/4 "2016-07-26T02:25:07Z")
[iMovie tutorials](http://help.apple.com/imovie/mac) ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/5 "2016-07-26T03:12:16Z")
On a side note is there a Windows equivalent to iMovie that is relatively cheap or free? Something like Audacity for videos? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/6 "2016-07-26T03:53:54Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > [iMovie tutorials](http://help.apple.com/imovie/mac) Thanks. I actually did find [one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U63GULMOTcc). It looks pretty straightforward. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/7 "2016-07-26T03:56:14Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > On a side note is there a Windows equivalent to iMovie that is relatively cheap or free? Something like Audacity for videos? Windows Movie Maker. Not sure if it is pre installed or you have to go find it. You can do a lot with it. Yes on Windows 10 too. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/8 "2016-07-26T13:08:44Z")
[Of course, if all you’re doing is basically a montage slideshow of still pictures, you could probably just use PowerPoint…] ---
**Author:** ![The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Evil_Prince_Zorte)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/9 "2016-07-26T15:46:00Z")
Have a look at [Animoto](https://animoto.com/) It’s a web-based slideshow generator. There are probably others as well. For a memorial slideshow, you shouldn’t have to do much actual editing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/10 "2016-07-26T15:51:51Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > [Of course, if all you’re doing is basically a montage slideshow of still pictures, you could probably just use PowerPoint…] Or iPhoto. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/11 "2016-07-26T16:31:55Z")
I hate PowerPoint. I worked in the Corporate world too long. (Watching them, not making them.) I didn’t know iPhoto made videos. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-ive-been-volunteered-to-edit-a-video/760909/12 "2016-07-26T17:20:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I hate PowerPoint. I worked in the Corporate world too long. (Watching them, not making them.) I didn’t know iPhoto made videos. Yep - select the photos you want to include, choose Slideshow (at the bottom of the window), and then choose themes, music and options. When you are happy with it, “share” it to a video file. Not as flexible as iMovie, but very, very fast.