How to Make iMovie Vertical: A Step-by-Step Guide

iMovie is a powerful video editing tool developed by Apple Inc. that allows users to create stunning videos with ease. While iMovie is primarily designed for creating horizontal videos, there are times when you may want to create a vertical video for platforms like Instagram or TikTok. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making iMovie vertical.

Step 1: Open iMovie

The first step is to open the iMovie application on your Mac computer or iOS device. If you don’t have iMovie installed, you can download it from the App Store.

Step 2: Create a New Project

Once iMovie is open, click on the “Create New” button to start a new project. Choose the Movie option if you want to edit multiple clips together or select Trailer if you want to create a short video with pre-designed templates.

Step 3: Import Your Footage

Now it’s time to import the footage that you want to edit into your project. Click on the Import Media button and select the videos or photos that you want to include in your vertical video.

Step 4: Change Project Settings

By default, iMovie creates projects in a horizontal aspect ratio. To change this, go to File > Project Properties and select the Video Format dropdown menu. Choose Custom from the list and set the resolution to match your desired vertical aspect ratio (e.g., 1080×1920 for full HD).

Step 5: Edit Your Video

Now that your project is set up for a vertical video, you can start editing your footage. Trim clips, add transitions, insert text overlays, and apply filters to enhance your video.

Step 6: Adjust Ken Burns Effect (Optional)

When working with vertical videos in iMovie, you may notice that some clips appear zoomed in due to the default Ken Burns effect settings. To adjust this, click on the clip in your timeline and disable or modify the Ken Burns effect by clicking on the Crop icon.

Step 7: Export Your Video

Once you are satisfied with your edits, it’s time to export your vertical video. Click on File > Share > File and choose your desired export settings (resolution, quality, format). Give your video a name and select a destination folder before clicking Next to start exporting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while iMovie is primarily designed for creating horizontal videos, it is possible to make vertical videos using this versatile editing tool. By following these steps outlined above, you can easily transform your footage into stunning vertical videos suitable for sharing on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Experiment with different effects and transitions to make your videos stand out and engage your audience effectively.