Getting green/blue screento work???

a video editor wrote on 1/15/2006, 1:24 AM

I am using Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 6.0
Hey everybody, I am thinking of buying a green/blue screen and i was wondering how do they work? and what steps do i need to take to make it work. And if i need to buy any other equipment or programs apart from the green/blue screen????....

Thanks...

Comments

discdude wrote on 1/15/2006, 12:53 PM

There are probably guides somewhere on the Internet that describe this in more depth but basically blue/green screen (aka chroma keying) is a process where certain colors, typically blue or green, are treated as transparent by VMS. This has the effect of cutting out, or keying, whatever/whomever is in front of the blue/green screen. You can then combine that footage with an entirely different backgound (perhaps something computer generated).

To make the blue/green screening effective, you have to evenly light the background so there are no dark/ight spots. Also, you have to avoid any of the blue/green from reflecting on to whatever you are shooting. In other words, lighting is key.

Good Luck.

a video editor wrote on 1/15/2006, 4:17 PM

Thanks dude,
so basically i just get even lighting over the green screen then i just get an actor or whoever to stand in front of the green screen and record that with my video camera then i just drag the video file into vegas movie studio platinium and in video effects i just drag the green screen chroma keyer onto the video file and it will automatically make the green screen transparent?

ScottW wrote on 1/15/2006, 4:35 PM

Getting even lighting is much harder than it looks; the screen not only needs to be evenly lit, but your talen will need to be properly lit as well (with a key, fill and back).

Also you should plan on having your talent stand at least their height away from the screen. It may also help to drop the chroma blur effect onto the track as well (if VMS provides a chroma blur, I'm not near my PC with VMS on it) - chroma blur can help with uneven lighting on the screen.

--Scott

dibbkd wrote on 1/15/2006, 6:45 PM

I haven't done green screen yet, but that is my next "thing" I want to master. Here's a few links I found before that may help you.

http://ether.asu.edu/video/tips_bluescreen.html

http://ether.asu.edu/video/tips_lighting.html

dibbkd wrote on 1/15/2006, 8:58 PM

Anyone have a particular brand of green screen they prefer, or don't prefer?

I see a bunch on eBay.

a video editor wrote on 1/15/2006, 10:59 PM

Thanks everyone for all your help.....Does anyone know where to buy green/blue screens in australia apart from ebay?