
With time and practice, filming with green screen can open up an entirely new, almost unlimited, creative playground. So go ahead and set your story on an alien planet.
Green background software#
There’s free, user-friendly software for simpler shots, but they probably won’t be able to pull off the more sophisticated effects you see in feature films.Īnd that’s pretty much all you need to know to get started! It might seem complicated, but these tips will help your shoot go smoothly.Your options for Chroma Key software will essentially depend on the type of shot. Research and consider software based on the shots needed, the editing system, budget, and user experience.Use Chroma Key software that works for you.You can use motion control and motion trackers for more sophisticated 3D shots, but it’s a lot more work for the VFX team.Your subject will look like it’s shrinking or growing in relation to the background. Lock down the camera so the subject doesn’t look like it’s vibrating or bouncing against the background when the camera moves even slightly. For simple green screen shots, keep the camera completely static.This is also why you’ll want at least six feet separation between background and subject.The green background should be lit separately from the subject to avoid: a) the subject casting shadows on the background (causing uneven gradient) and b) a green hue bouncing off the subject, which will cause problems when removing the background.If painted, keep extra paint on hand to touch up any scuffs and scratches. Keep the green screen itself as clean and smooth as possible to maintain a consistent colour range. If the screen is fabric, make sure there aren’t any wrinkles.The more even the lighting, the better and easier it’ll be to manipulate the material.

Light the green screen as smoothly as possible to give an even texture and gradient.You want to avoid shadows and hard lines that cause gradient changes in the green background.


To show your actor/subject from head to toe, the green screen has to continue down the wall and onto the floor under their feet.Use a “coved” green screen for best results.Depending on the lens, you’ll typically want 25-30 feet depth for a full-length shot that doesn’t shoot off the edges of the background.
Green background full#

It’s hard to miss the sheer amount of green you see on set. Think about behind-the-scenes clips or bloopers reels from Hollywood movies. Green screen is a visual effects (VFX) technique where two images or video streams are layered-i.e.
