iMovie '09, Version 8.0.6 with OS El Capitan 10.11.6--Black Screen with Photos

G'day,

I've read a few 'remedies' on line and in MacForum, but still get the black screen when I try to view photos in an iMovie project. I can import to the Project directly from a folder and it will show in that timeline (is that what is on top? to the left of the preview pane?) but will not show when I go to play and review the movie. in addition, on the bottom right corner, where we can select transitions, text boxes, music, etc...when I click the 'camera', the only option I am shown is 'Photo Booth'. "Photos" is not an option. Has anyone found a work around to the black screen?

While I'm at it, I haven't been able to figure out how to import vertical video footage. It imported once, vertical, as shot, without any distortion...Great. no problem...except, it hasn't been a repeatable option. All other imports have been 'stretched' to horizontal, thus distorting the original footage. SO, does anyone know how to either:

1) import vertical footage 'as is'?
2) import it to a distorted horizontal format, but then reformat it to 'normal'? The crop tool does not do this, is merely rotates the distorted image in the crop box.

Help with either issue would be truly appreciated!
thanks!
dj

Do you still have iPhoto installed? It may work better for what you want to do?

Not iPhoto...the new 'photos'...not so impressed, but that's what I have...

I understand you are using Photos, but, since you have iMovie '09, you should also have iPhoto '09, as they came on the same iLife '09 disc.

iMovie09 was optimised to work with iPhoto. It doesn't know that Photos exists.

1) import vertical footage 'as is'?
2) import it to a distorted horizontal format, but then reformat it to 'normal'? The crop tool does not do this, is merely rotates the distorted image in the crop box.

Click to expand...

I bypassed iMovie 09 because it wasn't much better than iMovie 08 and waited until iMovie 11(v9). With iMovie11, when you select the Crop tool, as well as the rotate buttons you get the choice of Fit, Crop and Ken Burns. If you get that with yours, try the Fit button.

The black screen instead of still photos was a bug with El Capitan and iMovie11. It looks like it's the same with iMovie08. There was no fix as far as I know.

So do you think reloading iPhoto ‘09 would alleviate the black screen issue? I’ll try when I get home in a week and keep you posted..

So do you think reloading iPhoto ‘09 would alleviate the black screen issue?

Click to expand...

No. It's a problem between iMovie and El Capitan. It's there even if you drag in a photo from Finder.