Chroma key compositing or chroma keying is a visual effects and post production technique for compositing two images or video streams together based on color hues called chroma range. This technique is known as green screening and is used in many fields to remove a background from the subject of a photo or video, particularly in the news casting motion picture, and video game industries. A color range in the foreground footage is made transparent, allowing separately filmed background footage or a static image to be inserted into the scene.
How to setup a green screen
First, you do, in fact, want a green screen. This is because green is one of the furthest colors away from the human skin tone. Camera sensors tend to be the most sensitive to greens as well.
In the scenario where you have to shoot something green or your subject must wear green, you can alternatively opt for a blue backdrop called blue screen. The setup and lighting steps would be the exact same for blue screen as green screen.
Next, consider the material. An ideal green screen is a painted green wall, but that isn't always possible. The next best thing is a smooth, fabric, green-colored screen with no wrinkles or reflective material.
Screens are available that hang from stands or the portable pop out style is great for using on the go and for storage. This smaller style is perfect for talking heads clips. If you need to shoot a person’s full body, you will need a full seamless backdrop. Any of these items and materials can be found with a little online shopping.
How to properly light a green screen
There are two main points to consider when shooting green screen, which are lighting the subject and lighting the green screen. The goal to good lighting is to make your subject and green screen look as natural as possible.
Check that your subject is not casting any shadows on the green screen, and consider using a diffused backlight to further separate your subject from the background. To avoid shadows, make sure your subject is at least six feet away from the green screen.
Final Take
And that's it! Those are the simple steps to begin setting up and shooting with the green screen or blue screen. Practice makes perfect so the more you shoot using green screen then the better you’ll be. The next step once you have footage using a green screen would be editing, and remember the better your setup and lighting is then the less editing is needed after you shoot.
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Vernon Jordan is a freelance reporter in Nashville, Tennessee.