Green Screen Backgrounds
Green Screen Backgrounds
Today, using high tech virtual sets and other innovations like elastic backgrounds, anyone with a fast computer, decent video camera and an inexpensive, portable green screen backdrop can produce dazzling, professional-level results. What’s more, they can do it on a inexpensive budget. As a result, intriguing solutions using green screen backgrounds and backdrops are showing up all over the place – in corporations, schools, low budget TV productions and a host of other applications.
What color is best for chromakey: blue or green?
It really doesn’t matter. Just be sure to choose a color that is not prominent on your subject. For example, if your subject is wearing blue, then choose a green backdrop, and vice versa. Many green screen software packages allow you to use a screen of almost any color.
What’s the best chromakey background – fabric, paper or paint?
There are advantages to each. Fabric is washable, easy to transport and generally easiest to shoot. Highly transportable fold-up cloth units are available. Paper is initially cheaper, although replacement of torn or dirty sections will drive up cost. Also, it is bulky and hard to transport. Paper works best in the studio, rather than on location. Paint works well if you have a studio with an area that you can designate for green screen backdrop. You can set a constant size in your green screen, and a dirty spot on the wall can quickly be repaired with a can of paint.
What is color spill?
Color spill occurs when sections of the foreground subject absorb or reflect color from the background screen. It shows up as a colored tinge around the foreground image and must be corrected after the shooting process. Color spill is particularly noticeable with semi-transparent areas such as blonde hair. It is also hardest to remove from these areas.
What about lighting?
Keep the lighting flat and even on the surface. You can do this by using two lights at 45 degree angles. Place them three to four feet in front of the screen. Use a light meter to ensure that the lighting is even. Be careful not to over-illuminate. How far away from the screen should I place my subject? Make sure that your subject is sufficiently far away (four to six feet, or even further) from the screen to prevent shadows and light spillover. Sufficient space also assures that you won’t be plagued with the green or blue halos of color spill.
What happens if my green screen background gets dirty?
If using cloth, clean it. Remove the soiled portion if using seamless paper. If you’ve got a painted background, get out the paintbrush or roller! You can’t effectively compensate for dirt or stains in the background. Beware of wrinkles, too!
Our green screen backgrounds are compatible with virtually all professional chromakeying and video editing solutions including Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects.