green screen - paper or cloth?

genie wrote on 9/7/2006, 2:40 AM
Hi,
I did a quick search but couldn't find any information on what to use for the green screen. A paper roll has the advantage of being cheap, easy to move around and if damaged you can just unroll a new section - but does it give the same quality results as the foam backed cloth? Maybe light would also shine through it from behind the screen?
I suspect it would move around in the wind if used outdoors but in a studio setting perhaps it does not make any difference?
Any comments would be appreciated.

thanks,
Genie

Comments

dibbkd wrote on 9/7/2006, 3:34 AM
Here's a tutorial I made on green-screen with a cheap fabric cloth:

Green Screen Tutorial
farss wrote on 9/7/2006, 5:50 AM
seen then made of cloth (we have one) foam, painted board, you name it, it's been used.

I think how you light it is more important than what it's made of.
Obviously wrinkles are a no no.

However from what I hear with a keyer like Ultra it's not so critical.

The other thing to keep in mind is the most critical part is the area around the subject, the rest you can cutout with a bezier, cookie cutter or by creating a mask. This is simple, trying to fix a few pixels around the subject is hard, so focus on that part.

Bob.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 9/7/2006, 6:59 AM

You needn't worry about wrinkles if you're using Ultra 2.


JeffreyPFisher wrote on 9/7/2006, 10:05 AM
I like the one from Photoflex myself. Folds up nicely and works great. green on one side, blue on the other.

JPF
Jay Gladwell wrote on 9/7/2006, 2:29 PM

It also depends on what you're shooting, just talking heads or full body. We've opted for coth (11 X 24), but we do have a Photoflex-like one as well, it was free, though. Cloth is more durable than paper, easy to clean, therefore less expensive in the long run.

This is were we got ours.


[r]Evolution wrote on 9/8/2006, 7:54 AM
http://www.ulead.com/store/vs/runme.htm

Ulead has this 6'x5' Bluescreen Cloth for $15.

Personally I use a Green Paper Roll in my portable setup.
At the studio we have a Green Wall.

I'm curious to try Blue.
But I guess it just depends on what your talent is wearing.

I would think Cloth would be more durable though.
vicmilt wrote on 9/8/2006, 4:15 PM
If it's green it's clean... well, blue works fine too.

Anyway - you can use just about anything as long as it's even, smooth and MATTE!

That's where greenscreen paper falls down - although I still use it a lot. The problem comes when you need someone to walk on the greenscreen. The paper has a sheen to it in the bend from vertical to horizontal, which although not insurmountable, is a pain in the butt.

If you just need to hang a vertical whatever behind the person/product, anything will work. I've had excellent "cheapo" results with a piece of masonite painted with a bright green from Home Depot. It's important to have a rich stong color. Your keying software will take care of the rest.

Be sure to light the background SEPARATELY from the foreground.
Be sure to keep the product/person at least 5 to 7 feet away from the greenscreen to avoid spill.
Be sure to light the greenscreen as evenly as possible.

If at all possible use ULTRA - it just so kicks butt in the keying process. Vegas works - it's just very touchy to get exactly right.

best,
v