Blue Screen Dreamin at DVinfo.net

Jiggy Gaton · December 15th, 2004, 09:50 PM

Hi! could anyone point me to tutorials on how to get started shooting/setting up blue screen shots? I was in the TV studio and saw it being done there, but I want to set up a bluescreen shoot in my own home/studio. I need to learn it all: from setup, backdrop equipment, tips, camera settings, to editing/composing the shoot in premier pro. where to start?

My end goal is to film this incredible new pop star in nepal - she's an unknown next britney spears of asia. i want to have her singing behind a changing collage of artwork being designed to fit her song.

My toolkit so far: XLS1, GS400, Premier Pro, laptop. :)
But we have a small budget for lighting rentals or whatever else we need.

But i need to start at the beginning, a blue screen 101... ideas? thanks!!
jigs

Rob Lohman · December 16th, 2004, 04:00 AM

The basic ideas for blue/green screening seems to be:

1. make sure your talent is a not too close to the screen (to avoid spilling the green/blue color on the talent)

2. make sure the screen is evenly lit

3. use a backlight on the talent to (futher) seperate them from the background/screen

4. get a screen with a uniform color (ie, no color changes or shading, also see point 2)

5. make sure your talent is not wearing any colors that are the same (or in the same shade etc.) as the screens. The best is to use opposite colors

Then you should not have too much troubles evening out the
screen in post and then keying it out.

Keep in mind that DV uses less compression on the green channel
than on the others, so if possible use a green screen instead of
a blue screen!

This is what I remember from the stuff I've read on keying!

Others will correct me if I remembered wrong or add their own
pearls of wisdom.

Good luck!

John Lee · December 16th, 2004, 02:09 PM

I would recommend paying particular attention to Rob's #2.

In my experience, I've found that with screens getting good results is all about having good lighting. You wouldn't believe what a pain it is to get a screen evenly lit, especially if you are using "budget" lights and not professional equipment.

Also, don't rely on your naked eye to judge the eveness of the lighting, be sure to run it through your equipment and see what kind of results you get.

I made a screen in my basement with two 9'x5' boards that I painted green. I haven't used it all that much, but it has generated great results.

December 15th, 2004, 09:50 PM	#1
Jiggy Gaton Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kathmandu, nepal, no kidding! Posts: 62	Blue Screen Dreamin Hi! could anyone point me to tutorials on how to get started shooting/setting up blue screen shots? I was in the TV studio and saw it being done there, but I want to set up a bluescreen shoot in my own home/studio. I need to learn it all: from setup, backdrop equipment, tips, camera settings, to editing/composing the shoot in premier pro. where to start? My end goal is to film this incredible new pop star in nepal - she's an unknown next britney spears of asia. i want to have her singing behind a changing collage of artwork being designed to fit her song. My toolkit so far: XLS1, GS400, Premier Pro, laptop. :) But we have a small budget for lighting rentals or whatever else we need. But i need to start at the beginning, a blue screen 101... ideas? thanks!! jigs __________________ For more Adventures of Herojig, see www.extreme-nepal.com or go read the NEPALI TIMES every Friday.

December 16th, 2004, 02:09 PM	#3
John Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 152	I would recommend paying particular attention to Rob's #2. In my experience, I've found that with screens getting good results is all about having good lighting. You wouldn't believe what a pain it is to get a screen evenly lit, especially if you are using "budget" lights and not professional equipment. Also, don't rely on your naked eye to judge the eveness of the lighting, be sure to run it through your equipment and see what kind of results you get. I made a screen in my basement with two 9'x5' boards that I painted green. I haven't used it all that much, but it has generated great results. __________________ John Lee Levelse7en@gmail.com

December 16th, 2004, 04:00 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	The basic ideas for blue/green screening seems to be: 1. make sure your talent is a not too close to the screen (to avoid spilling the green/blue color on the talent) 2. make sure the screen is evenly lit 3. use a backlight on the talent to (futher) seperate them from the background/screen 4. get a screen with a uniform color (ie, no color changes or shading, also see point 2) 5. make sure your talent is not wearing any colors that are the same (or in the same shade etc.) as the screens. The best is to use opposite colors Then you should not have too much troubles evening out the screen in post and then keying it out. Keep in mind that DV uses less compression on the green channel than on the others, so if possible use a green screen instead of a blue screen! This is what I remember from the stuff I've read on keying! Others will correct me if I remembered wrong or add their own pearls of wisdom. Good luck! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors