iMovie Can't Find Movie File Location

It is not the easiest thing to do, but it is possible.

Please make a backup copy of the project file before attempting brain surgery.
An imovie project file (with extension .rcproject) is a package. Right click on your Project file in the Movies/iMovie Projects folder. Select Show Package Contents.
There should be a text file in there called Project.
It will be in hexadecimal, so you need a hex-capable text editor to read it.
I would suggest BBEdit (best but $$$) or PListEditPro (free from Apple).
In this file, you may be able to see the paths and filenames for the clips used in the project.
This is where iMovie expects to find the clips.
The least risky thing to do is to move them to where iMovie thinks they should be, with the right names. However, this may impact iPhoto if you are changing the iPhoto library without telling iPHoto.
So, alternatively, you could edit the file with the new paths and or file names.

Thanks for the info AppleMan

I downloaded PListEditPro and opened the 'Project' file, but wasn't able to figure out where iMovie expects to find the clips. Any tip as to where, or what paths or filenames I would be looking for?

Thanks again

Any one in here found out why 09 will not up date . version 8.0.6. As have been pulling my hair out trying to fix the issue of 09 constantly searching for movie files . it will not work and when it does for a short time , goes back to searching. been in two mac shops No help several times over the last year 2010 and now and also removed and installed again. by them. Some one Please sort this one out.

Thanks Piercussion

I found the iMovie, but how should I change the path, or tell iMovie where it should find the file?

Thanks again

I mean I found the word 'iMovie' in the $objects tree as you advised.

Still no fix for I movie 09 and the issue of searching for movie data in file . Some one help and sort this out . Tired of going back to mac for help and no resolve. I movie and snow leopard is full of bugs.

Sorry ....

I managed to fix what ever it was.Although I down loaded I movie 11 that cost about £8 it may work with 09, Best thing to do if its the same problem, As soon as you see a pop up asking for video file , then if you wait and it then asks to search. Type in the top the number of the file ( the number only. ) I found that there are two files present.1 a raw R2 file with the same number and a Quick time icon that right click to get info , you may find is a thumb nail. Open all videos search for these files . In the file click to arrange by kind. so you can delete them all in one go.
That should fix it. I found that some thing to do with left movie thumbnails and perhaps conflicted files of the same number.

Good luck and hope alls well. So far mine is now OK and stable.