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Windows Movie Maker - Sometimes the BEST is FREE

By David W. Bolick

Real Estate Agent with Network Real Estate, Inc. PB00001682

October 28, 2009 05:43 AM

I started doing real Home Video Tours about 6 years ago and the biggest problem, and still to a degree, was finding a web host to upload the video to. The next biggest problem was finding a Video Program to edit the raw video shot to add some flair. After using a complicated program for about 2 years I finally went to CompUSA and asked the advise of the "experts" and they suggested a program that costs about $230 that was so damn complicated to use that I had to make notes on how I did things because the next time I tried to duplicate an edit I couldn't figure out how I did it. I fought this program for years until one day my 14 year old daughter (should have been the first one to ask) was making Home Movies from video clips and still pics on her computer with her friends and she had all kinds of fancy twists from one scene to the next, blending music and voice overlay, adding cool distortions to pics with zoom in and out features and when I saw her first one I was like WOW...how in the world did you accomplish that. She said she was using Microsoft Windows Movie Maker...a FREE program on her computer.

Folks...I'm here to tell you that I now use Windows Movie Maker and couldn't be happier. It is sooooo simple to use and has more features, whistles and bells than I care to use. It's amazing at just how easy it is to use and the learning curve wasn't but a couple of days. I highly recommend it. I'm still looking for a good quality video host though.

Here's my latest home video movie made with Movie Maker:

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Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I've used that also with great success. I also taught others in the past to do their own VT's by using Photo Story 3 and then hosting the tour. I've been doing that for years now and haven't paid dime one for VT's other than for Host Monster. Hope others see this and apply it!

Oct 28, 2009 05:48 AM

David W. Bolick

Network Real Estate, Inc. - Little Rock, AR

Now Lyn...what is Host Monster? Is that a video host?

Oct 28, 2009 05:54 AM

Gene Allen

Fathom Realty - Cary, NC

Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

I use a program called Power Director that I have had for a long time. Don't think the Windows product was good back then. As a suggestion you might want to look at getting a wider lens for the camera.

Oct 29, 2009 08:23 AM

Nancy Bain

Supernova Media - Bridgewater, NS

Supernova Media | Real Estate Marketing

Thank you! Very timely for me. I completed my first youtube video last night. I had been struggling with another program, read your post - and in 15 minutes in Windows Movie Maker had completed my project. There is free software out there also to convert .wmv files to mp4.

Oct 30, 2009 05:18 AM

Nancy...glad to have helped some. Yeah...there are some good conversion programs out there too. I bought one for about $39 that converts from any format to any other in a jiffy that I love.

Oct 30, 2009 06:51 AM

Thanks again Dave, can I ask which program you are using to convert the files. I downloaded a free program but am having trouble uploading my mp4 file to youtube. Also, have you ever had trouble uploading to youtube? Thanks in advance.

Oct 31, 2009 03:22 AM

Hey Nancy...here is the url of the convertor I use. In fact, I take the DVD from my camcorder and put it in the computer and use this program to open and convert it so Movie Maker can read it. I've had some problems uploading to youtube before..yes.

http://www.movavi.com/videoconverter/buynow.html Called Movavi Converter. I think I bought the Personal Version

Oct 31, 2009 03:46 AM

Thanks once again, you're very kind.

Nov 02, 2009 10:25 AM

Steven Nickens

Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI

R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the info, I am just getting my feet wet. David how do you post your properties, do you need a hosting site?

Jan 26, 2010 06:41 AM

Mark Gridley

eXp Realty, Reinventing the National Real Estate Office! - Fountain Hills, AZ

TecKnow Real Estate Agent, Fountain Hills, AZ

I used Movie Maker and it's great for entry level Video production. I switched to Adobe Premiere Elements 8 for my Higher end videos. Movie Maker just didn't have enough features. Premiere I can edit the contrast, color and add animated titles and text. I particularly like being able to narrate and mix sound loops.

A couple of tips if you decide to jump to the next level:

Make sure you've got a computer that can handle it.
Save often. I've had some crash problems.
Close all your programs that you don't need running. (msconfig)
Turn Off perifreals, Printer, Scanner etc.
Unplug any USB not in use. This helps with processing power and will reduce chop and lag.

These tips will apply to Movie Maker as well if you're experiencing chop, lag and a lack of syncronization.

Adobe Premier Elements bundled with Adobe Photoshop elements is around $120 after rebate. They have a free 30 trail. I found it pretty user friendly and you can get a lot of How To Videos on YouTube and from Adobe.

This is a photo I edited quickly in Photoshop Elements using a green screen.

Behind the Scenes, Adobe Premiere Elements

edited

Aug 18, 2010 04:41 AM

Kerry Lucasse

eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA

Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

This is fantastic, especially for those who are just starting out!

I see that you posted this about a year ago -- are you still using Movie Maker or did you find another one you would recommend?

Dec 21, 2010 05:15 AM

Thanks Kerry...no, I still use Movie Maker and have used it a lot more since that posting. It has all the whistles and bells needed and is wonderful !!

Dec 21, 2010 08:42 AM

Peter den Boer

Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA

MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

David - I too use Movie Maker and couldn't be happier. I own a high end NLE called AVID, but I pull my hair out everytime I try to use it. Happy New Year and I hope you are still doing well.

Dec 31, 2010 12:43 AM

Peter...LOL...I had the same thing...a real expensive high dollar program that took me a year to learn to use and then if I didn't use it for a couple of months I completely forgot how I did things I did. LOL...crazy!

Dec 31, 2010 10:55 AM

Mark...that really is amazing! I look forward to moving up to that next level...as soon as I get some more time.

Happy New Year's everyone!

Dec 31, 2010 10:57 AM

Windows Movie Maker - Sometimes the BEST is FREE

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