Question about backdrops.. Need advice at DVinfo.net

Pat Engh · October 1st, 2009, 08:54 AM

We're going to do a shoot in a couple weeks. The topic is youth sports. We're using a host for the video that talks about different topics involving youth sports and coaching. We're going to do the shoot both outdoors and indoors... but for the indoor shoot, we want to have a nice backdrop made - a collage of kids or something cool designed. If this was printed at Kinkos or SignAroma would this work with video light up nicely?

Jonathan Levin · October 1st, 2009, 09:32 AM

How about this:

Keep it real simple and use a muslin or rembrandt background to keep the interest in the person on camera. Really nice simple lighting on main subject.

After that, shoot some B roll stuff of the collage thing that you were going to use as the background and use that to hide edits, which if your shooting kids, you'll no doubt have lots of.

Mostly, you just don't want to busy of a background, and definitely through it out of focus, if the space you are shooting allows.

Jonathan

Oren Arieli · October 1st, 2009, 11:59 AM

I second the suggestion to keep the background simple and defocused. Unless you've got a large-chip camera or lens adapter, you'll probably have a sharply focused background competing for attention with the foreground subjects. You can always try pop-up Botero photographic backgrounds.

Pat Engh · October 1st, 2009, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the input... I kinda agree with you a bit. The reason I had the idea was after watching the show PTI on ESPN i thought it would look cool to design something like what they use with pictures of youth sports kids/coaches... see below

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ony-796087.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d1120970b-.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d1120970b-.jpg

what do you think?

Grinner Hester · October 1st, 2009, 12:27 PM

I like those. You may wanna shoot em over a keyable source so you can change or animate the background(s). I found a cheap polyester drop on ebay that works great indoors and outdoors and over the years I have found a roll of linolium is your buddy if wanting a portable cyc. Just paint the back side of it ultimatte green (or blue), roll it up when not in use and un roll it & hang it with C stands when ready to shoot.

October 1st, 2009, 08:54 AM	#1
Pat Engh Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 75	Question about backdrops.. Need advice We're going to do a shoot in a couple weeks. The topic is youth sports. We're using a host for the video that talks about different topics involving youth sports and coaching. We're going to do the shoot both outdoors and indoors... but for the indoor shoot, we want to have a nice backdrop made - a collage of kids or something cool designed. If this was printed at Kinkos or SignAroma would this work with video light up nicely?

October 1st, 2009, 09:32 AM	#2
Jonathan Levin Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, Illinois USA Posts: 692	How about this: Keep it real simple and use a muslin or rembrandt background to keep the interest in the person on camera. Really nice simple lighting on main subject. After that, shoot some B roll stuff of the collage thing that you were going to use as the background and use that to hide edits, which if your shooting kids, you'll no doubt have lots of. Mostly, you just don't want to busy of a background, and definitely through it out of focus, if the space you are shooting allows. Jonathan

October 1st, 2009, 11:59 AM	#3
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	I second the suggestion to keep the background simple and defocused. Unless you've got a large-chip camera or lens adapter, you'll probably have a sharply focused background competing for attention with the foreground subjects. You can always try pop-up Botero photographic backgrounds.

October 1st, 2009, 12:14 PM	#4
Pat Engh Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 75	Thanks for the input... I kinda agree with you a bit. The reason I had the idea was after watching the show PTI on ESPN i thought it would look cool to design something like what they use with pictures of youth sports kids/coaches... see below http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ony-796087.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d1120970b-.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d1120970b-.jpg what do you think?

October 1st, 2009, 12:27 PM	#5
Grinner Hester Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: services world-wide Posts: 118	I like those. You may wanna shoot em over a keyable source so you can change or animate the background(s). I found a cheap polyester drop on ebay that works great indoors and outdoors and over the years I have found a roll of linolium is your buddy if wanting a portable cyc. Just paint the back side of it ultimatte green (or blue), roll it up when not in use and un roll it & hang it with C stands when ready to shoot.