Filming white silhouets at DVinfo.net

Marc Colemont · April 4th, 2007, 05:11 AM

For a project I need to film white silhouets of people for a video clip.
We will rent a studio. I was thinking of setting up a green screen so I can manipulate later in NLE and convert to black and white.
How would you guys do this instead? Are there better ways?

Stephen L. Noe · April 4th, 2007, 02:36 PM

Another ways is to do a lumikey instead of chromakey. Just shoot against all black wall and create an alpha matte from the black with the lumikeyer. It's easier.

any other thoughts?

Ben Chace · April 4th, 2007, 03:23 PM

I agree with Steven. A lumikey is probably easier because you wont have to worry about lighting the background, although I also used a green screen - keyed out the background, desaturated what was left, raised the brightness as high as possible, and lowered the contrast all the way.. and that worked alright... you can see it on you tube -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNt_LYpigI

the white silhouette is about 20 seconds into it.

Jack Walker · April 5th, 2007, 01:07 AM

How do they do it on the iPod commercials?

Marc Colemont · April 5th, 2007, 01:50 AM

Thanks guys, I will do some tests with a black background which is much easier to setup.

Robert Shaver · April 6th, 2007, 03:19 PM

We shot some folks against a black velvet background and lit the people. The problems was one had black hair which then keyed out. There was also several other places on their bodies that were dark enough to key out. I guess I could have played with it more but there was nothing to do about the hair. (We did have a hair light as well.)

Rob:-]

Justin Ferar · April 6th, 2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Walker

How do they do it on the iPod commercials?

Rotoscoping frame by frame- I'm pretty sure.

Jack Walker · April 6th, 2007, 05:29 PM

Can't you shoot against an all white wall, with no light on the front of the subjects.

Then add a high contrast filter. Take out anything on the people that remains by hand.

Then reverse the image.

Marc Colemont · April 7th, 2007, 06:36 AM

I have only one day to setup and shoot. The white background suggestion could also work indeed. Thanks

April 4th, 2007, 05:11 AM	#1
Marc Colemont Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 695	Filming white silhouets For a project I need to film white silhouets of people for a video clip. We will rent a studio. I was thinking of setting up a green screen so I can manipulate later in NLE and convert to black and white. How would you guys do this instead? Are there better ways?

April 4th, 2007, 02:36 PM	#2
Stephen L. Noe Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,214	Another ways is to do a lumikey instead of chromakey. Just shoot against all black wall and create an alpha matte from the black with the lumikeyer. It's easier. any other thoughts? __________________ Advanced Avid Liquid Training found Here

April 6th, 2007, 03:19 PM	#6
Robert Shaver New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 15	Lumakey didn't work for me We shot some folks against a black velvet background and lit the people. The problems was one had black hair which then keyed out. There was also several other places on their bodies that were dark enough to key out. I guess I could have played with it more but there was nothing to do about the hair. (We did have a hair light as well.) Rob:-] __________________ Peace, Love, Laughter, Rob:-]

April 4th, 2007, 03:23 PM	#3
Ben Chace Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brooklyn, United States Posts: 60	I agree with Steven. A lumikey is probably easier because you wont have to worry about lighting the background, although I also used a green screen - keyed out the background, desaturated what was left, raised the brightness as high as possible, and lowered the contrast all the way.. and that worked alright... you can see it on you tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNt_LYpigI the white silhouette is about 20 seconds into it.

April 5th, 2007, 01:07 AM	#4
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	How do they do it on the iPod commercials?

April 5th, 2007, 01:50 AM	#5
Marc Colemont Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 695	Thanks guys, I will do some tests with a black background which is much easier to setup.

April 6th, 2007, 05:29 PM	#8
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Can't you shoot against an all white wall, with no light on the front of the subjects. Then add a high contrast filter. Take out anything on the people that remains by hand. Then reverse the image.

April 7th, 2007, 06:36 AM	#9
Marc Colemont Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 695	I have only one day to setup and shoot. The white background suggestion could also work indeed. Thanks