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In iMovie how to replace clips.

We are making a music video in iMovie. We are happy with the whole thing but we want to replace a section in the middle. How do we delete a clip and replace with a new clip, without the subsequent clips being shunted around and going out of sync with the music?

iMac 27″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Jun 2, 2023 5:11 AM

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4 replies

Jun 4, 2023 10:54 AM in response to denise CLARK

What Rich has described here should be easily achieved in iMovie and would be very similar if FCP is used.

If you would want to try FCP for Mac free for 90 days then you can get it here if you are running macOS 12.6 or later.

No payment required ,no card details required. It just expires 90 days after you launch the programme for the first time.

https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/trial/

Jun 3, 2023 8:57 AM in response to denise CLARK

Hi,


You might have to do a little fiddling. First thing, make a duplicate of your project and work with the duplicate. That way you can move things around and experiment while still preserving your original project. To duplicate your project go to the project browser screen (where your projects are displayed as icons) and move your cursor over the title of your project. A little circle with dots in it will appear to the right of the title. Click on the circle and, from the pop up menu, click on Duplicate Project. A duplicate of your project will then appear in the projects browser view. Your original project will be preserved.


In the duplicate project, Instead of replacing the clip, you might try putting the new clip in the timeline above the old clip. Then the timeline would cutaway to, and play, the new clip in the place of the old clip. You wouldn't have to touch anything else in the timeline. The new clip would need to be adjusted to the same duration as the clip that it overlays. You could trim it or maybe vary its speed slightly, if that's possible without disturbing the flow.

You could also insert background clips or still images as spacers.


-- Rich

Jun 4, 2023 9:34 AM in response to denise CLARK

I've not used Final Cut Pro, that I understand is an excellent app. iMovie is a more elementary consumer app so I would think that it would be no harder than Final Cut Pro.


Your described issue involves preserving audio sync when replacing video clips. Unless the replacement clip is the same duration as the one being replaced, there's always going to be some consternation trying to preserve the sync. It can be accomplished in several ways, such as described above, or changing speeds, adjusting the duration of the replacement clip, trimming here and there, inserting a background spacer into the timeline, etc. All just part of the editing process.


-- Rich



In iMovie how to replace clips.

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