If you recorded a vertical video on TikTok, you might’ve found it challenging to export it on iMovie after making edits. This can be a frustrating experience, but don’t throw in the towel just yet.
iMovie helps content creators to edit and export vertical videos at a specific ratio. Learning how to do so will save you time and help improve video quality.
This article shares pro tips on how to export vertical videos in iMovie.
Why Editing Vertical Videos in iMovie Is Crucial
Most people prefer watching videos on smartphones compared to PCs. This has increased the need for editing vertical videos in iMovie. The app enables you to optimize your videos in a manner that attracts the attention of your target market.
iMovie is mostly used by those with iOS devices. It comes with multiple inbuilt features that content creators use to make edits on their vertical videos.
Editing Vertical Videos in iMovie Without the Black Bars
iMovie leaves black bars on the sides of vertical videos. Fortunately, you can remove the black bars on your videos and come up with a clear output. This tends to happen since iMovie has a restricted mode of resolution and aspect ratio for exporting videos.
When you want to remove the black bars on your vertical videos, the simplest approach is to use trimming features. Also, you can get rid of the black bars by simply rotating the video. This option allows you to adjust and export the video without black bars.
Using Mac in Editing and Exporting Vertical Videos on iMovie
Even though editing and exporting vertical videos isn’t challenging, a Mac is the most common device used. Let’s look at how this can be done.
1. Import the Video into iMovie
To start the process, open iMovie on Mac and click on “New Movie Project.” Use the “Import” icon or the “+” sign to browse the videos on your device and import your preferred option.
In addition, you can choose to drag your video and drop it in iMovie using Finder. Regardless of the method you use, the goal is to ensure that the video gets to iMovie.
2. Rotate the Vertical Video Before Editing
After importing the video to iMovie, you can simply drag it to the timeline on the bottom end to begin editing. However, before you start the editing process, go to the preview window at the top-right corner and click the crop icon.
This will help you to adjust the overall frame of the video. In addition, you can use the rotate feature by either clicking on the rotate left or rotate right to rotate the video to your preferred angles during editing.
3. Start Editing
Once you have rotated the video, iMovie gives you access to its inbuilt features that you can use to edit the video without the black bars. Also, it gives you multiple types of transitions, captions, and filters, among other editing effects. iMovie also allows you to shorten the video or adjust it accordingly.
Exporting Your Vertical Videos from iMovie
After editing your vertical video on iMovie, you need to export it and save it as a new file on your device. Since most people find it difficult to export vertical videos on iMovie, follow these steps to make the process simple
- Click on the Export/Share icon from the top right corner
- Click on the “File” option
- Save the video on your local storage
Before exporting the video, check to see if it’s still rotated. Exporting a rotated video makes it difficult for you to watch it correctly. Here’s how to fix a rotated video:
- Open the edited video within the QuickTime Player
- Select “Menu” and click on “Edit.”
- Rotate the video in a left/right direction
Tips on Editing and Exporting Vertical Videos in iMovie
It’s relatively simple to edit and export your vertical video on iMovie. The procedure is the same regardless of the type of video you want to edit.
The pro tips shared below can sharpen your expertise and make the whole process much smoother.
Consider Your Target Audience During Editing
Most content creators using iMovie to edit videos mainly target social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. However, the general dimension of one social media platform, maybe completely different from the other.
When editing your vertical videos on iMovie, always make your target audience an immediate priority.
Use the iMovie App to Edit the Video
When you want to make simple edits to your video, consider using the iMovie application. All you need to do is launch it on your iPhone and import the video. The application gives you access to more features, such as the rotate option, that will help you to edit your videos with ease.
Make It Simple
If you want to edit and export high-quality videos on iMovie, make the whole thing simple. A high-quality video Is usually simple and doesn’t have lots of technical features. Make your videos simple and direct to hook your audience.
FAQs
How do I change the aspect ratio in iMovie?
Click on the “Crop and zoom” options to bring a new pop-up on the screen. Here you’ll have a couple of options to consider: you can either choose from the presented aspect ratio or opt for the custom settings.
Why is iMovie cropping my vertical video?
iMovie automatically crops your vertical video to a ratio of 4:3 or 9:16 to resonate with the 16.9 video ratio. Note that the default iMovie aspect ratio is 16:9 or automatically presented in landscape mode.
How do I change the screen format on iMovie?
Choose a video from your local storage, then click on “Create Movie.” Tap on the magnifier icon in the top right corner of the screen and enable the pinch to zoom option. Use your two fingers to adjust your video and make it fit in the 16:9 aspect ratio. Click ‘Done” to save the changes.
Can I make an iMovie in portrait?
Regardless of the video you’re making, use the two-finger rotation gesture on the video preview at the top of your screen. Once the arrow symbol appears, iMovie will rotate the video exactly 90 degrees. This will present your video in portrait format.
Export Your Vertical Videos on iMovie with Ease
Gone are the days when people struggled to edit and export their vertical videos on iMovie. You can easily do so with just a few clicks. Even though many people strongly believe that importing vertical videos on iMovie is complex, the steps shared above puts an end to this belief.
Have you ever exported a vertical video on iMovie? If so, did you use any of the tips or tricks outlined in this article? Let’s know in the comments section below.
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