What is green screen and how can you use it?
Okay, first off, Green Screen can actually be Blue Screen, but we’ll cover that a bit later!
Green Screen is a massive screen of green on your set, which you can replace easily in post-production for something else. It basically allows you to put fake (or very realistic) backgrounds in play and is used heavily in Hollywood movies (see the video below on how they do this). Now, we’re not saying you need a Hollywood movie effect, but it can be used in your brand video for creating certain key features or even in an online presentation, where you can have an interactive presentation in the background, with an engaging presenter always keeping your audience entertained.
Is green the only colour?
So, as I alluded to earlier, you can also use blue and the choice all depends on what is been worn or what colour props are on set. If you’re going to wear an elf costume (which is green btw) then you might want to use a blue screen, but as it is less common to wear green, most screens are green, hence why this is the normal term used nowadays.
Is the green special?
Well yes, it is and it’s called chroma green (or blue) which makes it easier for the computer to replace just that shade of green.
Is it as easy as painting something green?
Chroma green is a special colour and, as such, you can even buy paint which is chroma green/blue to use; with modern post-production, you can get away with other shades of green, however, the results are not always perfect. If you are experimenting at home and that’s all you’ve got; then go for it. Now the key thing for a Green Screen is lighting: it needs to be perfectly and evenly lit all over so the computer can remove it afterwards; if you have shadows and creases in it, then the computer will miss bits and you will have to do extra editing to compensate (if it’s at all possible, within your budget).
Oh, and btw, you can also buy material Green Screens that you hang up behind you or pop-up and fix to your chair (these were designed for zoom meetings I think 🤔).
Does it cost a lot?
So, if you’re doing a Hollywood film, then yes (everything costs a fortune for a film – trust me I use to work on them!). If you’re doing a presentation, then no. Btw, if you have an idea for something and you’re not quite sure, then just give me a call and run it by me – I’ll tell you if it’s possible and roughly how much it would be, then you can take that to your boss and float the idea 💡 (if you’re the boss, the numbers below, give us a call!).
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