iMovie for Mac Greenscreen Workflow

Question

Level 1

4 points

iMovie for Mac Greenscreen Workflow

I need a way to move clips VERTICALLY along the timeline. When working with a green screen, I now have to do all my transitions and edits, export an enormous file at as full quality as possible, then re-import it so I can place it on top of the background. If I put the background on first, any transition like circle open or close, cross dissolve, etc only applies to the bottom image on the timeline, which is the background.

I wouldn't mind doing the edits first if I didn't have to export then re-import. One suggestion was putting the background behind the clip then stacking them, but I cannot get the background to go underneath which is the only place it works.

Is there a workaround? Did I miss something?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Jan 8, 2025 12:42 AM

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Answer 1

Rich839

Level 8

47,850 points

Jan 8, 2025 8:53 AM in response to tyroneshuz

Hi,

You haven't missed anything. As you have found, the full array of transitions is not available for clips (including green screen clips) that are placed in the upper timeline. The only available transition is a fade, that can be added by sliding the fade handles located in the upper right and left corners of the clip.

It appears that you have found the workaround, which is to add your green screen transitions in the lower timeline of a separate project created for the purpose. Then export to your desktop and from there import into the master project in iMovie.

-- Rich

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Answer 2

Jan 9, 2025 1:32 AM in response to tyroneshuz

Apple does make a better solution . . . it"s called Final Cut Pro and costs £299 !

However, fear not because you can get it completely free and use it for 90 days after which it will stop working unless you decide to buy it.

Use this link and then click the Download button to get it.

Final Cut Pro for Mac - Free Trial - Apple (UK)

Alternatively you can download the FREE version of DaVinci Resolve which is just as good and you can keep forever.

DaVinci Resolve

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2025 8:32 AM in response to tyroneshuz

If you have accidentally put the green screen clip on the main story line just drag the background onto the storyline/timeline and the green screen clip should move out of the way making room for the background.

Then drag the green screen on top of the background.

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Answer 4

tyroneshuz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2025 1:37 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

This works but the transitions don't convey--they stay on the main story line, so now any transition like a circle open applies to the background and not the subject. There should be a way to bind the transitions inside of iMovie (with option to un-bind later) so you don't have to spit it out and back in again.

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Answer 5

tyroneshuz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2025 1:42 PM in response to Rich839

Rich, Apple should make a better solution to this. If I export it, it has to be as large as possible so when I import it it's close in quality so that when it gets compressed again for Youtube or other social media it won't look like total crap. I have to crop as it is, and that takes away quality, I sure wish I didn't have to export then re-import it.

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