
Image via pexels
Personal computers, ubiquitous smartphone video cameras, and video upload services like YouTube have put once prohibitively expensive/technical filmmaking tools into virtually everyone’s hands. This includes the use of software that replaces complicated production processes. Green screening, an effect that once required elaborate processing, is now bundled in green screen software packages that allow anyone to try it on their laptop. All you need is a green backdrop, a camera, and a laptop.
What Is Green Screen?
Green screening, known technically as chroma key compositing, is a video production process commonly used to place an image of an individual filmed in front of a green or blue screen onto a background image filmed separately. When done correctly, it can appear as though the individual actually appeared in the background image.
The green or blue backgrounds are used because those colors do not appear in the natural human color palette, which makes it easier to eliminate the background without affecting the performer’s image. One challenge to this special effect is that no part of the performer’s wardrobe can be the same color as the green screen, as it would be cropped out along with the background.
The most familiar use is the popular local television news weather report format, which places the weather reporter in front of digitally created weather maps. In the studio, the reporter is actually in front of a green backdrop, and the map is married to the background instantaneously. To see where she is gesturing on the map, the reporter watches the combined image on a television monitor placed just off camera.
Increasingly advanced green screen software has allowed more elaborate major-budget films. This allows actors to act out the script on a green soundstage, then be superimposed into settings that would be too expensive, too dangerous, or too fictional to film for real.
12 Green Screen Tricks That Will Up Your Game

Image via flickr
1. Soft Lighting Is The Key To Your Success
2. The Three Things You Must Light
3. Green Screen Is Preferable To Blue
4. Try Different Shades Of Screen
5. Your Screen Surface Needs To Be As Even As Possible
6. Do Early Test Shots With Your Talent In Wardrobe
7. We Need To Talk About Your Hair, Blondie
8. Makeup!
9. Keep A Cushion between Talent And Screen
10. Keep Your Talent In A Box
11. Try Different Shots
12. Experiment With Different Green Screen Software Packages
Top Green Screen Software Tutorials
Green Screen Video Editing Tutorial - YouTube
PhotoKey Green Screen Software Tutorial - YouTube
How To Make Chroma Key - Green Screen Effect? - YouTube
How To Use Green Screen In Movavi Video Editor - YouTube
Green Screen Tutorial - The RING Effect (Come Out from TVs) - YouTube
Conclusion

Image via Pixabay
Regardless of your budget or expertise, the elements of green screen are easily accessible. Whether you run a major production house or seek to bootstrap your way from basement studio to YouTube fame, the basics are the same. A green background, some lighting technique, green screen software, a little know-how, and (especially) experimentation will reward your efforts with some of the same special effects that put the Death Star in space, let Gandolf battle demons while tumbling through the Middle Earth, and help your local weather reporter look like she has her own fleet of satellites.
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