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What is Green-Screen?
Green-screen, sometimes referred to as blue-screen or chromakey, is the process of filming a person or object against a solid coloured background for the purpose of then removing that coloured background to replace it with something else.
Used in everything from movie special effects to your local weather forecast, green-screen makes it easy to add, or 'composite' elements together to achieve an effect that would be otherwise impossible to create. The act of removing that coloured background is called 'pulling a key'.
Traditionally, blue was the colour used for chromakeying when working with analogue cameras.
However, newer digital video cameras are much more sensitive to information captured in the green channel.
Green or blue are used because they are the two colours that are least similar to human skin tones, greatly simplifying the keying process when working with on-screen talent.
How Can I Use Green-Screen in My Video?
Basetwo Media has worked with a number of clients on a variety of green-screen projects.
Some uses of green-screen include: Placing your interview subject over a series of images, logos and text, having a 'virtual host' on your website, or simply creating a little extra 'wow factor' to your project.
Tips When Working With Green Screen
- Because we are going to be removing all the green information from the filmed footage, it is very important that the on-screen talent not wear anything green as it will become transparent in the final composited shot. Other, solid colours work best.
- Highly reflective surfaces such as chrome, polished wood and glass tend to pick up some green reflection, so avoid shiny jewelry, highly polished shoes or reflective props.
- When filming it is important that the green-screen be evenly lit. For this reason we have to use a large number of lights, making filming in small spaces a challenge.
It also helps to have the talent as far away from the screen as possible to minimize green 'spill'. We prefer to film in a professional production studio like ours. - Very fine details can get lost when the final key is pulled. For this reason we ask that you try to minimize frizzy or fine strands of hair, loose clothing, rapid movements and excessive numbers of people or objects in the frame at the same time. As with most things, simpler is better in this case.
Conclusion
Although there is an added cost to utilizing a green-screen element in your next video production, it is a great way to add production value, and can be just the thing to make your video stand out.
About Basetwo Media
Basetwo Media is a Vancouver video production company specializing in promotional, educational & training videos and event videography. We help businesses communicate using the power of video.
