How do you add text to a BACKGROUND in iMovie?

[ideal.dreams]

Never thought using iMovie would be this annoying. I've made an instructional video for work and I'm trying to add frames in between the video to explain each step, with the video corresponding to the step showing right after it.

I've added a black background in between each split clip but there doesn't seem to be an option to add text? WTF? The only form of text I can find is in the form of a TITLE, but I already HAVE a title at the beginning of my video, where it belongs.

Anyone have any insight? Searching Google brought back results suggesting I use a title instead, but that's not happening.

Pulling my hair out.

 

[Dave Braine]

I've added a black background in between each split clip but there doesn't seem to be an option to add text?

There isn't. iMovie is a movie editor and movies don't normally have large areas of text.

You could make your instructional video in Keynote, inserting as much text as you like, and then export it as a Quicktime movie. Or you make your text inserts individually in Keynote, export them as either Quicktime movies or JPEGS, and then import into your iMovie Project. I've used that method many times.

 

[Ingot]

Never thought using iMovie would be this annoying. I've made an instructional video for work and I'm trying to add frames in between the video to explain each step, with the video corresponding to the step showing right after it.

I've added a black background in between each split clip but there doesn't seem to be an option to add text? WTF? The only form of text I can find is in the form of a TITLE, but I already HAVE a title at the beginning of my video, where it belongs.

Anyone have any insight? Searching Google brought back results suggesting I use a title instead, but that's not happening.

Pulling my hair out.

Easy to do. Works for me. Split the clip where you want to insert the text. Insert basic titles. it is usually 4 seconds by default. Just lengthen for as long as you need the text to stay up. Type text in as normally would for titles. If text can't fit in one frame, repeat the process and insert basic title to the right of the first text. I have been doing git that way for years. Of course I am on an iMac and MBA (works for both). I do not use iMovie on iPhone or iPad so I could not advise on that.


Good luck.

 

[imaccooper]

Both suggestions above are sound and I have done both. I say it depends on the amount of text you want and if you want any effects to go with it. I have done a large amount of text as a title and it works just fine as long as you don't need it to scroll or move around etc. in that case you can build a power point/keynote and as was suggested to export that as a movie file which works just fine. Although it doesn't seem very direct and practical, it really does work effectively in both ways.