Like other Dummies books, this one is designed from the ground up for easy reading. Each page features sidebars and tips, and every chapter is written with the beginner in mind. An appealing feature of this book is its deliberate avoidance of technical jargon until absolutely necessary. When technical terms are used, they're explained clearly and put into perspective.
Structured into five major parts, Movie Maker for Dummies begins with an introduction to the software and how to use it to record or import video clips, and work with still images and other basics. Sections 2 and 3 talk about production basics: recording video, recording audio, basic editing, adding separate audio and music tracks, and adding credits and titles. Section 4 wraps up production with chapters on screening your work on the Web, tips on e-mailing your movies, and recording movies to tape and CD-ROM.
One of the more valuable sections of the book isn't about Movie Maker at all. Section 5 includes 10 tips from a professional cameraman, such as how to avoid lens flares when shooting, take care of the camera, understand exposure, make the most of camera audio, and choose camera angles. This section also features a list of online resources for getting help and gathering tips on shooting, producing, editing, and screening amateur films.
Self-taught film-director wannabes who have some experience might not find much in the way of useful information, but they won't be using Movie Maker, anyway. Both Movie Maker and Movie Maker for Dummies are aimed at the low-res and home-video crowd, and both are perfectly suited to that audience. Grab your kids and camcorder, 'cause it's "lights, camera, action!" --Mike Caputo