Depth of Field Screen at DVinfo.net

Ed Szarleta · October 15th, 2004, 09:03 AM

Does anyone know what the name of that screen to decrease depth of field is called? I can't seem to find it...It stands behind the talent in an interview format and throws the background out of focus.

Robert J. Wolff · October 15th, 2004, 10:09 AM

With some hesitant thoughts, if I understand your query, you may be looking at a croma key, where the displayed background has been softened/de-focused from the switcher.

Ed Szarleta · October 15th, 2004, 10:38 AM

No, this is a physical piece of hardware that stands behind the talent and has a translucent screen that softens the background

Ken Tanaka · October 15th, 2004, 12:22 PM

Yes, there was a fellow with such a product but I can't recall the site's URL, either.

Nevertheless, there is really nothing magic about it. The technique is more commonly known as "silking". You can see it used daily in news network shots of talking heads in front of live windows. You can stretch gauzy or translucent over a frame and place it behind the subject.

But, homemade or store-bought, this is a more challenging job than it might seem. Ensuring that the camera doesn't pick up the material's texture requires some skillful lighting and planning. Even the big news network boys goof this shot up often.

Rob Henegar · October 15th, 2004, 12:55 PM

It's called the Softscreen. You can see it here:

http://indietoolbox.com/

--R

October 15th, 2004, 09:03 AM	#1
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	Depth of Field Screen Does anyone know what the name of that screen to decrease depth of field is called? I can't seem to find it...It stands behind the talent in an interview format and throws the background out of focus.

October 15th, 2004, 10:09 AM	#2
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	With some hesitant thoughts, if I understand your query, you may be looking at a croma key, where the displayed background has been softened/de-focused from the switcher. __________________ Himself

October 15th, 2004, 10:38 AM	#3
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	Decreasing Depth of Focus No, this is a physical piece of hardware that stands behind the talent and has a translucent screen that softens the background

October 15th, 2004, 12:22 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, there was a fellow with such a product but I can't recall the site's URL, either. Nevertheless, there is really nothing magic about it. The technique is more commonly known as "silking". You can see it used daily in news network shots of talking heads in front of live windows. You can stretch gauzy or translucent over a frame and place it behind the subject. But, homemade or store-bought, this is a more challenging job than it might seem. Ensuring that the camera doesn't pick up the material's texture requires some skillful lighting and planning. Even the big news network boys goof this shot up often. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 15th, 2004, 12:55 PM	#5
Rob Henegar Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 33	It's called the Softscreen. You can see it here: http://indietoolbox.com/ --R