How do I make precise frame range deletions in the middle of project clip?

Question

I need to make a precise deletion of frames 8:55:15 to 8:56:12 in the middle of my project video clip.
Problem: The trimmer won't do it because it keeps the very selection which I want to delete, while deleting the frames before and after my selection range.
Problem: When in my project, while the red pointer tells me exactly where I am in my clip (when I select Playhead Information in View), the problem is that I have no information to tell me the exact location of the right and left selection handles so I can precisely select 8:55:15 and 8:56:12 of my clip for deletion. I press the Option key and the pointer moves to the beginning or end of the clip, not to one end handles of the selection.
In iMovie 3 when the selection handles are moved I get information as to exactly where each handle rests in terms of time or frames for easy deletion of the exact selection I want to remove.
Can iMovie 08 make precise frame range deletions somewhere in the middle of a project clip?
Thank you.

Answer 1

Problem: The trimmer won't do it because it keeps the very selection which I want to delete, while deleting the frames before and after my selection range.
Don't use it. It is for trimming the ends from the clip selection.
Can iMovie 08 make precise frame range deletions somewhere in the middle of a project clip?
Yes. The basic strategy is to expand the project to its maximum scale (0.5 sec) and to then select the range of frames you wish to to edit. Start by slowly dragging the playhead across the clip in the area you wish to access. The time in white below the window will display the exact (minute:) second: and frame across which you are skimming, as well as display the frame itself in both the thumbnail and the preview screens. (NOTE: I prefer visual selection of the frames rather than using a time reference since such references may change as transitions and titles are added.) When you locate the first frame you wish to delete, press the mouse to select it. While holding down the mouse, continue to scrub the clip to locate the last frame you wish to delete. When you locate it, release the mouse. At this point you can either split the clip and keep/delet the sub-segments as needed or delete the selected range using the "Delete Selection" or "Cut" Edit menu options.
Another method would be to select the approximate range you wish to edit in the middle of the clip and then grab and drag the beginning and ending "handles" to adjust the exact start and stop frames for the "Selected" range. In this case, the times ate the bottom of the "Project" window represent the "in" and "out" points for the range of frames currently selected. Once again, I prefer to select the in and out points visually as I scrub. Also, for me, this two-stage adjustment approach seems quicker and easier for my approach to editing.
The problem is that the playhead refers to the red pointer, thus I can get an exact location of the pointer in terms of time and frame, but NOT a location of the selection handles.
Okay, I see what you mean. However, if you use the two-stange method described above, the point where you press the mouse to mark the begin handle of the selected range is the "begin handle". Same holds true for the release point (playhead time time) for the stop handle.
Is there some way I can line up the pointer exactly with the location of the right or left handle then use Option key and Left/Right arrow keys to move the handles to my exact range frame by frame?
Not really at the same time. iMovie does allow you to set the exact start point and will tell you when you have reached the exact number of seconds and frames for the range you wish to delete. Adding the two together does give you the exact time of the end of the range in seconds and frames.