Green screen, Green screen, what does it mean?

There are millions of those tutorials on YouTube and other places. No, no this is about when to use or not to use. This is about having a purpose and not being cute. Sure we all want fly like superman flying across a city sky??? This is about the substance behind it using this tool to convey a message.

I will be a hypocrite here for just a second and explain the theory behind Chroma-Key (Green or Blue Screen). As you witness every night via your weather person the process of Chroma-Key is removing a color from an image being still photo or video. The reason we use green or blue  is because it’s the two colors absent from skin tone… unless you are really sick haha. This process is useful when background scenery is unavailable or to providing messages or weather reports. It’s used on TV, it’s all over the movies as we all know. It is the past, present and future of images we see every day.

Today, my goal is to focus on the when and why you should consider removing a background and replacing it with another image. This article will only focus on video production and leave still images to the Photographers to explain.

Purpose, purpose, purpose are the 3 most important items to consider when you decide to use this cinema trickery. Avoid doing it for “cute” sake or because its flashy. A bad example is the number of Automobile commercials, you know the one’s I am talking about with the cheesy guy and the zig zagging lines and cars driving over someone’s head spots we watch on late night TV. Just like any other marketing approach you take with other media, the same approach  is used when it comes to Video. Who is the end viewer, why should they watch you and what are you trying to say? Example… if you are a travel agent, then YES a beach background works with wind blowing your hair etc, etc, ect. Sometimes a simple black or white does the trick. Example: Apple, Optimum use a simple white background. In their case it is in all likely a white room, but you can get the same results if a white room is not at your disposal. Here is an example of a video we created in 2007. The client had a theme “Open Road Graphics” and wanted a background that was consistent with his brand. http://www.vimeo.com/2116991 The client hired a professional actress to play the part. There was a real purpose. Another pro to using a screen is to lessen the cost of production by only needing a small space.

Ok, a few things you need to consider on the technical side. Example: If the result of your video has a black background, please do not have your subject wearing a black shirt… we call this floating head. The same goes for white. If your background is a beach scene, the subject’s lighting must match the scene. In this case you want sunlight! The last tip is be subtle unless you are making a rock video. Want one last example? Watch 60 Minuets. They do it well!

One last “must have”! Hire a professional. Lighting a green or blue screen is critical to the final project. I don’t post them but in my library I have a number of horrible looking footage due to poor lighting on a screen. It took me almost 2 years to perfect it. In the case of Chroma-Key lighting is everything.

We would love to hear your comments and or experiences as well as ask for more Video tips.