can't afford (green,blue screen) another alternative? help needed

nocturnal_f wrote on 3/9/2005, 6:40 PM
i'm wanting to do some green screen work. u know some fun things with different background or vid work. gonna make a movie.

i don't have the cash to buy a green screen. i tried red screen but it doesn't work very well. i used myself against a red wall but the lighting sucked.

i have some white wall area in my house but that didn't work.

what is a good way to do this. i need help bad

Comments

Nat wrote on 3/9/2005, 6:44 PM
Well, if you want to invest a small amount of cash, you can buy a paper backdrop (mostly used by photographers) that will cost around 50$. We use that and with some good lightning we get perfect keys.
epirb wrote on 3/9/2005, 6:48 PM
Or go to a fabric store and pick up some green material. I got some stretchy polyester sort of stuff that works good, cuz I can strech it taught, no wrinkles. 4ft x 15ft piece cost me 20 bucks.
Fleshpainter wrote on 3/10/2005, 1:23 AM
Polyester knit is what you're looking for. (sounds like what's described above) Felt is another choice but dirt sticks to it really bad. Also consider fuzzy blanket fabric.
busterkeaton wrote on 3/10/2005, 3:43 AM
Get the brightest non natural color you can find.

Essentially you want

Red 0
Green 255
Blue 0
Bob Greaves wrote on 3/10/2005, 3:47 AM
Do not forget that even lighting is as important as even surface color.
Grazie wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:05 AM
I've even used a bright blue pillow case on my latest! Clkient wanted a rubber stamp coming down over London onto a moving Mobile Facilty! It worked . .and scared the 'ell outta the audience .. . kooolll!

Grazie

CK-ing aint just for Superman movies yah know!
chaboud wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:16 AM
You could spring for a can of matte-finish green paint at your hardware store ($20), or you could try differencing for mask creation:

Described here.


Coursedesign wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:25 AM
The reason a matte finish is important is that if you get specular highlights (shiny areas), you can't key those at all.

Avoid shiny polyester for this reason.
MyST wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:28 AM
Good thread!
I can see the green fabric being a useful alternative in my apartment. Fold it up after you're done.
Time to go shopping.

Mario
JohnnyRoy wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:33 AM
I picked up a 5ft x 5ft green screen on eBay for $29.95.

~jr
Jimmy_W wrote on 3/10/2005, 9:54 AM
Thats a great find John for foam core. You can also get it custom sizes.
Thanks for that tip.

Jimmy
skibumm101 wrote on 3/10/2005, 10:01 AM
For those do it your selfers, here is a link to Great qulaity Foam core and other materials.
http://chroma-key.com/chroma_key_special.html
bigcreek wrote on 3/13/2005, 6:13 PM
I picked up a set of bed sheets from the local walmart that appear to be the right color of green. Haven't tried them yet, though