pretty cool for just starting with the software,, I'm, not a greenscreen fake set fan,, this is the kind of stuff I think is greencreen fun , nobody questions anything ,its a cool effect and looks great .

...........sure you dont wear that shirt out in public, I dont wear my bummin around clothes out of the house either....well maybe on a shoot or somethin

I think it's a good idea... and it's executed pretty well.

The only thing I would look at is...
Does it really look like you're in this environment?
To me... it does not.

I feel that the first shot of you should be a bit Larger or Tighter. You look really small compared to the Virtual Set. My girlfriend immediately noticed that you were NOT actually shot in that scene. (Compare you to the CounterTop you're standing beside...)

When you go MINI... the shadow seems to be a bit on the Dark Side. Seems like the shadow should be a bit softer.

Hey thanks for the comments guys.
i agree with all of them pretty much.
There is definatel some tweaking to do, and the still I used for the background is not what will be in the final shots, just grabbed one from the bin to test.
I definately would have a softer shadow I made it dark while I was tweakin around with it, and forgot to soften it back up after the placement.

And if time allows, The first shot will be done live in the actual background, then the background empty, and only the Mini Me will be keyed.
(the backround will be video in the final version)
I agree P9P, that the scale was not right in the first shot.
Again, all concept right now, workin on the shot list for tues.

HI Eric -

The effect is great. I'd say don't worry too much about all the above.

You are being criticized by people who are looking VERY closely at a 4 second effect, who don't give a darn about what you are saying or teaching, and who really want you to reach for perfection. (No slight intended - good is good - better is BETTER. I just don't want you to get so hung up in the effect that you forget to do the information!!)

Your target audience, after all, is only interested in the information. They will enjoy the effect (great idea) no matter how crappy it is (pretty much). I guarantee that for all the reasons you get the disc returned ( which I also doubt), "the shadow on the shrinking effect is too dark, will NOT be one of them).

If you can get a large green paper sweep (Pearl Paint) or a cheap rental at a local green screen facility, (try local news station or cable station) it would be better if you walked around a little as you spoke. Definitely move from your big body position to a different body position as you start to talk, as "the little guy". I will heighten the effect that you weren't "nailed to the spot".

Also, (and this is important) - try to keep track of your camera height when you shoot the background and then match it when you shoot the greenscreen. If you use a still camera to shoot the backgrounds, you will have a much higher resolution image to use. You can zoom into it much better than if you use your video camera for the background. And don't forget - you can EASILY retouch your backgrounds in photoshop. Darken this area, lighten that area, put something nice in the windows, and remove an ashtray (or whatever).

But overall - just go for it - it's a great idea.

v

Thanks for the comment Vic , Good points all around.
Sent you an email, might be near you tommorrow and wed.

Agree with Vic 110%, it looked great, well above average. Even if it was perceived by some as "blue screen" it's not Jurassic Park and it still looks top notch. You could tweak the shadows and every other element till the cows come home and I doubt one person in your target audience would notice the difference. Not discounting the other posters since ya did ask for opinions, just putting in my two cents.

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com