Create A Slideshow With Microsoft Movie Maker - A Tutorial

I'm addicted to the camera. Nothing thrills me more than the moments I capture through my lens. These days, I've developed a new love for slideshows. Hundreds of images twisting and twirling accompanied by the perfect song, just like icing on the cake. Clich, but that's exactly how I feel.

Check out my slideshow , "In my daughter's eyes."

Looks interesting? You could create one too using Microsoft Moviemaker.

Before you think of giving up, it isn't some software you have to spend extra money on. It comes free with the newer versions of Windows.

If you don't have Windows, you can download this free video editor here.

Locating Microsoft Moviemaker

Check this route to start your Movie Maker

Let's move on.

Importing Images

(Here, my assumption is that all the pictures you want in your slideshow are already in your computer.)

On the left side, find Capture Video.

Click on Import Pictures.

Locate the images you want in your slideshow and then click Import.

Once imported, all the images appear in the Collection area.

We're now ready with the images, but what about the icing? The perfect song, remember? You can create one without it, but the song adds a new dimension to the slideshow and makes it priceless.

Importing Song

You can always download mp3s from Amazon.com for $0.99 each.

Next click on Import Music from the Movie Tasks.

Once you click import, the song would show up in the collection area.

Now we have the images and the song.

The Movie

Bottom of the Collections area, you'll see Story Board.

Holding on to the Ctrl key, highlight all the images and drag it to the story board, dropping it to the video section.

Follow the same step for the song; drop it to the music section.

Preview the movie with the song on the screen on the right side.

The basic part of the movie is over. You could leave it here or step it up a notch!

Effects and Transitions

The fun part begins when you add the effects and the transitions.

In Edit Movie, find view video effects.

Choose from the effects you like; drag and drop it down to the images in the Story Board.

(Recently I made one for my daughter's 12th birthday where I gathered images of her with the friends through the years. The old ones were given the film age, film grain, grayscale effect; making them look really antique!)

Video Transitions are how you want the slide to change. It's like animations!

Keep previewing on the blank screen.

Song too long?

Sometimes we don't have enough images for a 5 minute song. You don't want your audience to watch an empty screen with just the music playing.

What do you do then?

In the Story Board, click where the song ends. A red arrow appears. Drag it and trim the song.

Adding Title

Finish your video with a title. It's right on the Edit Movie section. Personalize it with the right font, color and the effects.

Saving the file

You can save it to your computer or burn a CD. Make sure that the Best format recommended for my computer is selected.

Use these basic steps and your imagination. The mixing of the song and the images takes time. Give it some thought. What message you want to convey? Are the images and the songs in sync? Keep editing it till it's just right.

Believe me; the end result is always worth it.

Happy Creating!