“When Apple releases new products, they’re often hailed as breakthroughs,” Jefferson Graham reports for USA Today. “But with the recent update of its beloved iMovie software, Apple finds itself in an unusual position: defense. Longtime iMovie fans aren’t happy.”
“Apple isn’t apologizing. It says it wants a new audience for iMovie and that the redesign had to happen. ‘The consumer video-editing industry is dying,’ says Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of applications and product marketing. ‘It got crushed by digital photography,'” Graham reports.
Graham reports, “Most camcorder owners never bother with video editing. Yet they will use software programs such as Apple’s iPhoto to manage their pictures and growing collection of video clips from still cameras, Schoeben says. Apple was forced to do a ‘radical reinvention’ of iMovie to get its users to work with their video clips, he says. Schoeben believes video novices will find it easier to edit with iMovie and, thus, use the program more. ‘This may be controversial at first, but long term … we’ll be fine.’
Graham reports, “Schoeben says iMovie has more advanced features than many on the message boards realize. Apple just hasn’t done a good enough job of letting people know about them, he says. More tutorials will be posted online like the ones at http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take by SteveJack: Longtime iMovie users aren’t happy, but average consumers should be ecstatic with the new iMovie ’08; it’s actually a triumph. Just so you know where I’m coming from, in addition to my brief bio below, I am a former 15+ year professional TV producer and video editor. Chances are good that you’ve seen something I’ve edited – most likely on a Mac-based Avid system costing over $100,000.
Schoeben’s right: people weren’t using iMovie because iMovie was too daunting (believe it or not). iMovie used to be and was designed to be a baby non-linear editor (NLE). I hated the thing personally and never used it, either. It was too “consumerish” in spots and too “pro” in others; in other words, a hodgepodge. I moved to Final Cut Pro long ago. What Apple has done with the new iMovie ’08 is what Apple typically does: shift the paradigm. In this case, they’ve done so radically and, in the process, revolutionized consumer editing. When all is said and done, iMovie ’08 will go down as an important transformative milestone in digital editing history.
Apple has shown the world the future and some people whine that they can’t sepia tone it.
It’s no surprise that longtime iMovie users are up in arms – hey, back in the TV stations and production houses where I worked, we used to complain when Avid moved one button or changed an icon with a new Media Composer version! We were used to the way things were, dammit, and didn’t want to change because it slowed us down – at first. With iMovie ’08, Apple has done more than move a button, they’ve blown up and the reassembled the entire app! They weren’t kidding with Think Different.
Longtime iMovie users will have to give the new iMovie a proper chance. I hope that with time, you’ll come to love it as I do. Some won’t and to those I say, it’s your loss. You are most likely already too advanced an editor for iMovie anyway (hint, hint: Final Cut Express – you’ll love it). New users or those that can adapt more quickly will find a fast, intuitive, easy-to-use video editing application in iMovie ’08.
iMovie was meant to be an editing application for beginning editors and camcorder users who wanted to quickly edit footage into shorter, more interesting finished products. iMovie ’08 finally achieves that vision.
Apple deserves credit for recognizing the problem and totally rethinking an application that relatively few of its target audience used. iMovie ’08 will bring video editing to many more people than previous versions, which was Apple’s goal all along.
While I’m disappointed that some iMovie users aren’t embracing change as readily as I believe Mac users should, I can empathize. You used to know how iMovie worked and now you don’t. The temptation to just give up and scream is very real, but change is hard and, in this case, it’s worth it. This whole brouhaha reminds me so much of the move from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X!
iMovie ’08 does need some more effects and a fuller feature set, but the foundation Apple has now laid is very, very strong and I fully expect iMovie to evolve and get even better over time. Start working with it now for simple projects, so you’ll be ready for the next version of iMovie. I doubt future iMovie changes will ever be so radical – Apple’s on the right track now – we’ll just get more features, refinements, and capabilities, but the basic premise of editing will be what iMovie ’08 has now established.
In the meantime, iMovie ’06 HD is there for the taking (and maybe Apple can rework it, rename it, and find a place for it in their lineup between iMovie and Final Cut Express where it belongs). I recommend that longtime iMovie users take advantage and use both applications, but give iMovie ’08 a real chance. Watch the tutorials (http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie) and put in the time; I know it hurts, but “no pain, no gain!” Properly used, iMovie ’08 can create excellent quality product. With a little less knee-jerk and a little more exploration, I think you’ll find that iMovie ’08 is a revelation.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
Thanks Steve for the quality insight! I’ll give it a try.
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Sent from my iPhone
SteveJack, you almost make me want to go buy a camcorder – great argument.
Stevejack hits the nail on the head. This is pretty much what I have been saying all along as well.
No matter what Apple says (sorry MDN), iMovie ’08 still sucks!
If what Apple is stating were true there would not have been such a strong negative reaction to the less than “improved” iMovie ’08.
Things are going well at the moment, but Apple is dangerously out of touch with its base, no matter their spin.
MDN is 100% wrong. In their mind Apple can do no wrong. Whatever Apple does is a revolution and anyone else is dumb shit. I love my Macs, Apple software, and iPods (many). But I don’t love them blindly. iMovie 08 sucks ass. It went from a program you could make beautiful intriguing movies on to a watered down app you can’t make anything nice on. Throwing together 2 second clips? Common Apple.
At least we still have the real iMovie around. For now.
???,
SteveJack has criticized Apple in the past. One that springs to mind: http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/473/
For the FIRST TIME ever, I am actually editing video content. iMovie ’08 is the only video editing application I have ever felt comfortable working with! I’m sure there are others like me who never used iMovie ’06 and will NEVER use prosumer/professional video programs. Apple has their market pegged. Longtime iMovie users angry at Apple probably should have been using FCE/FCP all along.
My 11 year old son, who likes playing on computer but not working on them, picked up iMovie with no problem. I helped him import the footage, showed him how to trim and order the clips, and he did the rest. TItles, music, transitions…… I can appreciate wanting to make a more entry level editor, but what the lack of 3rd party support in the NEW iMovie. Does Apple really expect those who knew how to use iMovie to move on to Final Cut Express?
Personally, the technical side of editing with iMovie 06 is easy. It is picking what to show and what NOT to show that I find difficult.
Forget iMovie…… we need the ability to edit our own posts!
Sorry about the grammar. That’s why I draw for a living.
yes… finally a reasonable article. This software, although I haven’t used it… I have looked into it’s capabilities and am very aware of the alternatives as I work in the film industry, looks very (VERY) promising for what it was created for. Damn the whiners… everyone should be able to create… and now they can.
This article sums it all up, and SteveJack is correct. iMovie ’08 is a superior product, especially for non-geeks.
MacArch,
“Does Apple really expect those who knew how to use iMovie to move on to Final Cut Express?”
Not really. As explained above by SJ, Apple expects those who knew how to use iMovie to use iMovie ’06 HD while learning the new iMovie ’08. The more advanced users actually should move to Final Cut Express.
@Consumer Video Editor
I am 100% in the same boat! I gave iMovie a little bit of time when I switched, but gave up, and never touched again.
iMovie 08, is a snap for an idiot like me
I understand the feelings of the iMovie 06 crowd, maybe they should make two versions of iMovie, one for us (08) and another (updated 06) and give them different names, and support them both?
thanks, makes me want to say my dual 1.8 g5 is really a fossil and not capable of running consumer software.
Sorry MDN…. normally I agree. While iMovie 08 has potential, it is still not yet up to snuff. Using Themes in 06 along with more FX options etc. makes me feel like I have given up a lot to move back to the first iteration of a piece of software. I don’t doubt that given time, Themes and FX may be added. On the other hand, while more FX may be added, it is possible Themes will not be. That would be a shame as it is super impressive and very easy to use and could make amateur movies look much more professional.
I think iMovie 09 or iMovie X will win the argument about the better movie player. If Themes and more FX options had been added, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. At least from my perspective.
And simply saying “Well, you can still download and use iMovie 6” is weak as I don’t really want to use two different programs. Themes and FX are two things that really make things easier for users.
If I want to put people to sleep…
I’ll put golf on TV…
serve a pitcher of strong drink…
or show home video.
I have been editing videos on my computers for years. When I was a PC guy it was Premier Pro, but I since moved to the mac I started using Final Cut Pro. I understand FCP and use it for most of my projects (I also understand it is expensive). With iMovie I wanted to use it for simple projects that didn’t need the power of FCP, but I could never get comfortable with it. As a very stripped down version of FCP it frustrated me at every turn. I consequently never used it. I have had a look at iMovie 8 and have found it perfect to do those simple projects and I agree with SteveJack, it is fantastic for these types of projects. For those that like iMovie 06 you could simply stick with it, but I suspect that many of you would find that FCP or FCE (which I have not used) may cover all the areas that you feel iMovie 06 is missing. For me I will love using iMovie 08 for my quick and simple projects. I am also getting my daughters interested in video editing with iMovie 08. By the way none of my projects are of a commercial nature.
Well, if Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of applications and product marketing says the consumer video-editing industry is dying, that sure must be true. After all, Apple releases a new version of iMovie which has alienated most previous iMove users, why admit their mistake ? No, they will keep saying this is better. I believe Apple is now run by ex car dealers, the type that says a station wagon or a SUV suits a widowed retired man while a compact or mid-size would. Gimme a break.
MDN, are you alright ? I hope you won’t start crying because some Apple bashing is going on within your own forum. What a change from MS/Windows bashing, huh ?
It’s good to know that Apple is finally catering to the idiots among us. If you can’t figure out iMovie 6, you’re a moron. Trouble is people want everything “now”. Forget “learning” a new piece of software, even if it is superior. If they can’t figure it out in 15 seconds, they’re done!
This mentality says a lot about our society. Dumb it down to the lowest common denominator and people will flock to it.
yeah… I gotta say… no matter how “great” this version of imovie is, I would love to know why the timeline was taken away. Was it too “complex?”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Apple should have left iMovie ’06 on the iLife disc as iMovie Classic (and ceased further dev); and then put the new iMovie on there as well as a completely new product (with new name) for the YouTube crowd. This would have been much better for PR than the “oh well, you can download it for free” band-aid solution that they have now implemented.
Why would that have been so hard? What can be bad about 1) increasing the number of iLife apps, 2) not removing a very useful product that many people do put to good use (with its large number of plug-ins, etc), and 3) not apparently alienating current customers?
I like iMovie ’08, but it is quite limited in comparison to ’06 (for 90% of my editing, however, I use Final Cut Pro). I think that it’s a very steep climb both financially and intellectually for people to move from iMovie Classic to Final Cut Express or even FCP (essentially the same thing workflow and UI-wise).
Basically, iMovie ’06 needs to still be included in the iLife lineup as a value-added addition to the suite, while the new iMovie earns its colours.
That’s my point.
Steve, a good justification of your position. I don’t use iMovie, so I can’t comment on the relative attributes of the old and new. However, I’m hoping iMovie 08 will be less intimidating to my 80+ father, who hasn’t mastered iMovie to date, but would still like to edit his numerous family videos.
1: Pay for iLife upgrade to lose iMovie features
2: Buy FCE to regain lost iMovie features.
3: Apple makes DOUBLE Profit.
I think the accountants were in charge of this move and the 20 year old, perfect eyesight, never used a glare screen types were in charge when the glossy only screens were commanded.
I’m feeling like a M$ Stockholm Syndrome victim again, except it’s from the fruit company based in smoggy hot Cupertino.
Don’t get me started about the Intel switch, WIndows on a Mac and the numerous Mac OS X security issues, some still not fixed.
It’s got to be the smog in Cupertino screwing with Apple Co. brains
Yes I visted the mothership, so you know I’m not lying.
Hey SteveJack!!
It sure took you awhile to try to put a spin on this Apple disaster.
Not convincing I’m afraid.
Apple has been consistantly fscking it’s longtime user base.
Updates? We NEVER paid for updates!! For years!!!
We we rewarded for our hardware loyalty, not anymore!!
Now we have to pay for Mac OS X and iLife updates, and Appleworks is now history for the paid Pages/Numbers etc?
Now we get paid updates that take features away?
WTF is next? When will the greed end?
“If I were running Apple, I would milk the Macintosh for all it’s worth — and get busy on the next great thing. The PC wars are over. Done. Microsoft won a long time ago.”
— Steve Jobs – Fortune, Feb. 19, 1996
iMovie User (aka Stupid Fsck),
1. Pay for iLife ’08.
2. Apple has made iMovie ’06 HD available to you free-of-charge.
3. There is no step 3.
As SteveJack so eloquently stated, “With a little less knee-jerk and a little more exploration, I think you’ll find that iMovie ’08 is a revelation.”