Movie maker

Blog Entry : Windows Movie Maker
This simple tool, bundled with all new windows operating systems, does exactly what it says on the tin; Makes movies. What it doesn’t say is that it’s a pain to use, there are relatively few features, and only outputs to .wmv .
When I say it’s a pain to use, I mean it. One simple thing, which anyone with common sense would have added, is the soundtrack. There is no option to vary sound levels per clip; its either soundtrack or filmed sound. This means if you want one clip all music and one speech, you need to make multiple projects, and cut them together at the end. This still leaves the problem of synchronisation, as this method often makes the soundtrack jump to new points.
Another problem is that there is virtually no effects available. Even with the meagre selection of poor alterations, there are no options on how much an effect should be added. For example; the watercolour effect. You either don’t have it:
Or you have an indistinguishable bunch of blobs:
There are some upsides though.
The interface is so simple even an American idiot can use it. Also the ability to chop the film at the point you are currently at is, admittedly, very handy.
My overall feelings are that Windows Movie Maker is a great tool for those who can’t be arsed making a decent looking movie. With much better commercial and freeware alternatives, I would not advise it.