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Editing Your Home Movies: A Simple Guide for Beginners

 

This guide will help you edit your home movies on both Windows and Mac computers using free and easy-to-use software: Clipchamp for Windows and iMovie for Mac. No prior experience is needed!

 

For Windows Users: Using Clipchamp 

It's a good idea to transfer the videos from your memory stick or cloud onto your local computer. This way, you still have the originals backed up. 

 

Step 1: Copying Files from a Memory Stick 

  1. Insert Memory Stick: Plug your memory stick into a USB port on your computer. 

  1. Open File Explorer: Click on the folder icon in the taskbar or press Windows + E. 

  1. Find Your Memory Stick: In the left panel, click on the name of your memory stick (it might be labelled "USB Drive" or similar). 

  1. Copy Files: Select the videos you want to edit, right-click, and choose "Copy." 

  1. Paste Files to Your Computer: Navigate to the folder where you want to save your videos (e.g., "Videos" folder), right-click in the folder, and choose "Paste." 

Step 2: Copying Files from the Cloud 

  1. Open Cloud Backup: Open the link we have emailed you. 

  1. Download Files: Click the download button in the top right corner. 

  1. Unzip Files (if needed): If multiple files were downloaded in a zip folder, right-click the zip file, select "Extract All," choose a destination folder, and click "Extract." 

Step 3: Installing Clipchamp (Windows 10) 

Note: Clipchamp comes pre-installed on Windows 11. 

  1. Open Microsoft Store: Click on the Start menu, type "Microsoft Store," and press Enter. 

  1. Search for Clipchamp: In the search bar, type "Clipchamp" and press Enter. 

  1. Install Clipchamp: Click on the Clipchamp app, then click "Get" to download and install it. 

Step 4: Importing Videos into Clipchamp 

  1. Open Clipchamp: Click on the Start menu, type "Clipchamp," and press Enter. 

  1. Start a New Project: Click "Create a new video." 

  1. Import Your Videos: Click on the "Import media" button, navigate to the folder where you saved your videos, select them, and click "Open." 

Step 5: Adding a Title 

  1. Add a Title: Click on the "Text" tab, choose a title style, and drag it to the timeline. 

  1. Edit the Title: Double-click on the title in the timeline to edit the text, font, and size. 

Step 6: Adding Videos to the Timeline 

  1. Drag Videos to Timeline: After importing, drag your video files from the media library to the timeline at the bottom of the screen. 

Step 7: Trimming 

  1. Select the Video: Click on the video in the timeline. 

  1. Trim the Video: Drag the edges of the video clip in the timeline to trim the beginning or end. 

Step 8: Splitting 

  1. Position the Playhead: Move the playhead (the vertical line) to where you want to split the video. 

  1. Split the Video: Click the "Split" button (scissors icon) above the timeline.

Step 9: Rearranging Clips 

  1. Move Clips: Click and drag clips in the timeline to rearrange their order. 

Step 10: Colour Correction 

  1. Select the Video: Click on the video in the timeline. 

  1. Adjust Colours: Click the "Adjust colours" button to the right of the preview window and use the sliders to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation. 

Step 11: Exporting Your Video 

  1. Export: Click the "Export" button in the top right corner. 

  1. Choose Quality: For old home movies, select 480p. If the movie was originally on cine film, select 1080p. 

  1. Save Your Video: Click "Export" and choose where to save the file on your computer. 

 

For Mac Users: Using iMovie 

It's a good idea to transfer the videos from your memory stick or cloud onto your local computer. This way, you still have the originals backed up. 

Step 1: Copying Files from a Memory Stick 

  1. Insert Memory Stick: Plug your memory stick into a USB port on your Mac. 

  1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in the Dock. 

  1. Find Your Memory Stick: In the left panel, click on the name of your memory stick. 

  1. Copy Files: Select the videos you want to edit, right-click, and choose "Copy." 

  1. Paste Files to Your Computer: Navigate to the folder where you want to save your videos (e.g., "Movies" folder), right-click, and choose "Paste." 

Step 2: Copying Files from the Cloud 

  1. Open Cloud Backup: Open the link we have emailed you. 

  1. Download Files: Click the download button in the top right corner. 

  1. Unzip Files (if needed): If multiple files were downloaded in a zip folder, right-click the zip file, select "Extract All," choose a destination folder, and click "Extract." 

Step 3: Importing Videos into iMovie 

  1. Open iMovie: Click on the iMovie icon in the Dock or find it in the Applications folder. 

  1. Create a New Project: Click "Create New" and choose "Movie." 

  1. Import Your Videos: Click the "Import Media" button, navigate to the folder where you saved your videos, select them, and click "Import Selected." 

Step 4: Adding Videos to the Timeline 

  1. Drag Videos to Timeline: After importing, drag your video files from the media library to the timeline at the bottom of the screen. 
     

Step 5: Adding a Title 

  1. Add a Title: Click on the "Titles" tab, choose a title style, and drag it to the timeline. 

  1. Edit the Title: Click on the title in the timeline to edit the text, font, and size. 

Step 6: Trimming 

  1. Select the Video: Click on the video in the timeline. 

  1. Trim the Video: Drag the edges of the video clip in the timeline to trim the beginning or end. 

Step 7: Splitting 

  1. Position the Playhead: Move the playhead (the vertical line) to where you want to split the video. 

  1. Split the Video: Press Command + B to split the clip. 

Step 8: Rearranging Clips 

  1. Move Clips: Click and drag clips in the timeline to rearrange their order. 

Step 9: Colour Correction 

  1. Select the Video: Click on the video in the timeline. 

  1. Adjust Colours: Click the "Colour Correction" button above the preview window and use the sliders to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation. 

Step 10: Exporting Your Video 

  1. Export: Click the "Share" button in the top right corner. 

  1. Choose Quality: Select "File" to save the video to your computer, then choose 480p for old home movies or 1080p for cine film. 

  1. Save Your Video: Click "Next," choose a location to save your file, and click "Save." 

With these simple steps, you can edit your home movies and create wonderful memories to share with your family and friends. Happy editing! 

 


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