>Hullo,
>Could I, with a budget of $50 or less, make a green screen and use >it? I've got the program Pinacle 8. Any info. would be much >apreciated!
>Thanks!!!

Your best bet would be to buy some stiff plywood and some green or blue paint which is *matt* (not gloss). Just choose a green or blue that is approximately the same as what you see on TV - it doesn't matter if it's not exact if you are doing digital compsiting. Apply the paint with a roller to the smooth surface, making sure it is even, then let it dry.

When you use your green/blue screen, it is essential to have it *evenly* lit. Absolutely essential. You should also keep you actors as far away from it as possible, and top-light (ie. have a light from above shining down on their heads and shoulders). The top-light gives you separation from the background.

I have no idea whether you can do chroma key in Pinnacle 8, but you can definitely do it in Premiere. Lighting is everything in this case - if you don't get your lighting right, you won't be able to achieve separation in your NLE.

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