I have been interested in starting to use a blue or green screen, but I have many questions. I will be using a new Panasonic PV-GS65 when I get it. By the way: I have no idea what I'm doing and will probably sound really stupid.
First off, which is better: a blue or green background? Does it matter at all? Does it have to be a specific shade of these colors, or just a bright shade?
Secondly, let me just say that I only have about half of a 12X12 room to make this, and I do not want to paint the walls. Should I use material on the wall or painted sheets of wood? Or any other suggestions? (Trying to keep this as cheap as possible)
Thirdly, what is the cheapest way to light this? Can I use simple flourescent lights? (Still trying to keep this as cheap as possible)
Lastly, does anyone have any good suggestions on what digital video editing software can do this?
Thank you for all suggestions!
Here's a link to an interesting discussion regarding blue screen and green screen. I hope it answers some of your questions.
?url? http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20GB/CML%20Blue%20Screen%20vs%20Green%20screen.htm?/url?
We made one that worked real well. go to an art store and buy some florescent green poster board for the screen. lay them down and attach them by using some other paper to join them. (dont overlap them and glue them, the seams will have a slight shadow) you want the edges to go right up against each other. If you light it from a few angles so it's all the same color, you can use the greenscreen filter on final cut to remove it. its a cheap fix. could be better, but it worked pretty good for us. good luck
http://www.commodityanticorp.net/
http://www.commodityanticorp.net/
I found a cheap and really effective method, especially if you have a room with an empty wall where you can set it up. Go to a party/kitchen supply store. They have rolls of bright blue vinyl tablecloth (usually listed as table cover). The table cover comes in rolls 100 foot by 40 inch for about $14 per roll.
That?s enough material so one roll be used to cover an entire wall. I find it much superior to painting a wall and it?s typically a lot cheaper than buying poster board. Additionally, it?s really easy to take down.
The downside is that it?s slightly reflective (like a semi-gloss). That means that you have to be extra careful when you light it to make sure you avoid reflective hotspots.
Hope this helps!
Dan Rahmel
Author: "Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking"
http://www.cvisual.com
LOW BUDGET CHROMA GREEN PAINT
Mixed by Lowe's Hardware, it is a very close match to the original chroma green (left) and about half the price. Lowes will mix it if you give them the following numbers: 103-4Y 113-1Y 1145Y32? Base 4?? (We mostly used American Traditions Flat Interior Latex, but we also had floor paint mixed that color as well.)
This should work well, i painted a posterboard this color and i plan on acutally painting my entire garage this color. An easy and fairly cheap way to light this is to go to lowes and buy some halogen lights, i bought a stand with 2 of them at like 500 watts a piece so it made it 1000 watts with both of them, think it cost me like 30 bucks or so.....these lights work great, as long as you make sure you don't have any shadows on the wall and the wall is lit pretty much the same way you should be in good shape....as for post production with it final cut pro is what i use.....here is a link that will show teach you almost everything you need to know about using fcp to use the green screen, you will still have to play around but read this, it is good stuff....
http://kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/chroma_key_part_2.html
Steve-O
Unknown Name Film Company
