The Complete Idiot's Guide to iMovie 2 [Paperback]

Brad Miser (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: October 26, 2000

The Complete Idiot¿s Guide to iMovie 2 provides beginning to intermediate users everything they need to know to download, edit, polish, and view or send their home video productions, including background for understanding the tools and steps to create Digital Video; how to create video tracks; how to use transitions, sound effects, and other special elements; and how to prepare movies for distribution and viewing on the Web, on TV and in emails. A must-have for all digital video enthusiasts!

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

From the moment I saw iMovie, I knew that Apple had done it again; iMovie provides an ideal balance of power and ease-of-use. It empowers all of us to create interesting and fun video projects. However, as great as it is, iMovie requires a different way of working and involves concepts and tools that many people may not understand immediately. And iMovie is so compelling that people want to start creating with it right away. Thus, I saw an opportunity to help people learn to make the most of iMovie as quickly and as simply as possible, the result being The Complete Idiots Guide to iMovie 2.

In addition to a solid iMovie foundation, I believe that making really interesting movies requires "outside" influences, those being primarily the fundamentals of good movie-making techniques. I also wanted to help people understand and use other elements of their digital movie studio such as QuickTime, a digital camcorder, and so on. Since iMovie is such a fun application to use, I knew that any book on the topic should be as fun as the application is. Thus, I designed The Complete Idiots Guide to iMovie 2 to live up to its title; it is a complete guide for creating great movies with iMovie 2 that's written for people who want to unleash their creativity and have fun while doing it!

From the Back Cover

The Complete Idiot's Guide to iMovie 2 provides beginning to intermediate users everything they need to know to download, edit, polish, and view or send their home video productions, including background for understanding the tools and steps to create Digital Video; how to create video tracks; how to use transitions, sound effects, and other special elements; and how to prepare movies for distribution and viewing on the Web, on TV and in emails. A must-have for all digital video enthusiasts!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (October 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789724774
• ISBN-13: 978-0789724779
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,635,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple > iMovie + iDVD

More About the Author

Brad Miser has written extensively about computers and related technology, with his favorite topics being anything related to Macintosh computers. Brad's most recent book is the Mac User's Guide to Living Wirelessly, Brad has written Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPod and iTunes, 2nd Edition; Special Edition Using Mac OS X Tiger, Special Edition Using Mac OS X, v10.3 Panther; Absolute Beginner's Guide to Homeschooling; Mac OS X and iLife: Using iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD; and Using Mac OS 8.5. He has been an author, development editor, or technical editor on more than 50 other titles. He has also published articles in MacAddict magazine along with other publications. He has been a featured speaker on various topics at Macworld Expo, at user group meetings, and in other venues.
Brad is the manager of education and support services for a software development company. Previously, he was the lead proposal specialist for an aircraft engine manufacturer, a development editor for a computer book publisher, and a civilian aviation test officer/engineer for the U.S. Army. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and has received advanced education in maintainability engineering, business, and other topics.
In addition to his passion for technology, Brad likes to ride his motorcycle, run, and play racquetball; playing with home theater technology is also a favorite pastime.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One idiot's review of The Complete Idiot's Guide to iMovie2, November 29, 2000

By 

Gary P. Cohen (Avenel, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to iMovie 2 (Paperback)

iMovie2 does not come with an instruction book, and the iMac booklet helps precious little, so I was pleased to find Brad Miser's Idiot Guide (which is a series I like anyway). The book is both imformative and insightful, plus a lot of fun to read. It got me going with iMovie in very short order, and when I emailed Mr. Miser to clarify a point, I got a prompt and effective answer. Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Fumble When You Can Read It in Detail?, April 8, 2001

By 

Arthur S. Ross (East Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to iMovie 2 (Paperback)

There are few things as satisfying and fun to the videographer as making professional movies - videos that you actually want to watch a second time or more - and Apple's iMovie software is THE tool to do just that. You get superb results from an inexpensive piece of software - IF you can use it. While the program is exceptionally simple, there is only an on screen "Help Menu," and we all know how those work: everything but the question you need answered, it seems. Into the void has rushed Brad Miser with wit and wisdom, and with all the answers and instruction you need and then some. His Idiot's Guide is a marvelous introduction to video/movie making, and he walks you through composition, editing, mixing, enhancing, titling, effects, and stuff you never thought possible when you bought that video camera (or even thought about buying it). Miser is one of those very few authors that are effectively "high tech" and "high touch," he writes with clarity, and with an obvious love of his subject. If Amazon would allow it, I'd give this six stars.