OT: If you want to do serious greenscreening...

Randy Brown wrote on 9/25/2008, 10:01 AM
After all the (free) tutorials I've read and seen (and still getting bad keys) I stumbled across a couple of training DVDs specifically for green screen at B&H. I bought the cheapest one ($49) called "Green Screen Lighting" by a company called Reel Classroom.
Man am I glad I did, this is the most comprehensive yet easy to learn instructional video I have seen.
I had a greenscreen shoot coming up and had to learn quickly what the heck I needed to do to pull a good key. I learned what I was doing wrong in the first few chapters and I feel confident I'll never get a crappy key again.
Now I get to start watching the next half to learn the techniques of lighting talent (light angles, color temperatures etc) for the different backgrounds used to make the really believable shots!!
Randy

Comments

Coursedesign wrote on 9/25/2008, 10:21 AM
For "believable shots" it often helps to have access to "relighting" plugins for After Effects.

These relight your foreground to match the lighting in your new composited-in background plate.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/25/2008, 11:19 AM
I couldn't agree more. While I create training DVD's for VASST, I also purchase training DVD's for myself because, for me... "seeing is understanding". You can read a million tutorials (and I try to write mine as clearly and step-by-step as possible) but actually seeing someone perform the task always yields that "Ah Ha!" moment when it just clicks. I know the feeling.

The two things to keep in mind for chroma key is that your light source on the talent and the light source in the replacement video should be the same color temperature and direction. This really helps "sell" the shot. Nothing screams "green screen" more than people in an outdoor scene that are lit with indoor lighting or shadows and specular that come from the wrong direction.

Edit: I see that the training DVD you bought is sponsored by eefx.com. I can't speak highly enough about the quality of their green screen material. I've purchased two of their green screens and they are exceptional in quality and anti-glare properties. Very bright, very easy to light and key.

Good luck,

~jr
Randy Brown wrote on 9/25/2008, 3:48 PM
Thanks guys,
Nothing screams "green screen" more than people in an outdoor scene that are lit with indoor lighting or shadows and specular that come from the wrong direction.
Yessir...that's the next thing on the DVD I plan to tackle...I may need to get a couple more lights though.
Thanks again,
Randy
video777 wrote on 9/25/2008, 6:25 PM
Edit: I see that the training DVD you bought is sponsored by eefx.com. I can't speak highly enough about the quality of their green screen material. I've purchased two of their green screens and they are exceptional in quality and anti-glare properties. Very bright, very easy to light and key.

Agreed! I purchased a 15' x 24' greenscreen from them. It is very, very well made. This is the same stuff they used on Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and I think Spy Kids. In fact, we're working on a plan now to build a studio on our property so we can have it set up all the time. The problem right now is that we have to find a rather large building to use it effectively.

Great tip on matching the lighting.