Lighting with Ultra at DVinfo.net

Jeff Kerry · February 1st, 2006, 12:03 AM

I would like to know the best and cheapes way of doing lighting for using the green screen. I did see something about tube lights but can not find it now.

Ayone with some suggestions please let me know.

jkerry@charter.net

Tks,
Jeff

Randy Harris · February 1st, 2006, 12:45 AM

I think this may be looking for. I haven't tried it but it sounds good.

http://www.digitalpostproduction.com...e.jsp?id=31427

Stewart Menelaws · February 1st, 2006, 03:39 AM

Jeff - We did some tests using "Ultra" last week, where we took some really bad dark green cloth (it was all crumpled up). We lit it with 2 small Dedolights creating pretty bad shadows and then lit our head and shoulders shot about 3 feet from this background.... (yes... broke every rule in the book) Ultra 2 did an amazing job of dealing with it in less than 1 minute!
We just wanted to see how the software would deal with this.

We have been doing a lot of tests this week with various software and lighting set ups using "proper" green and blue screens for studio and location work - we have been looking at trying to get a very quick way of getting difficult interviews on location - hence the test above.

I am not advocating sloppy work, but it is very intersesting what you can get away with these days using the likes of Ultra and DVMatte Pro.

However - much will depend on the type of work you are doing.

Stu...
www.studioscotland.co.uk

Kim Kinser · February 1st, 2006, 03:48 PM

I use fluorescent light.

Light the background seperately from the talent. you can use cardboard or whatever to keep any light from these spilling onto the talent. The goal for this part is to light your green screen exclusively and evenly.

Get the talent as far forward as you can from the background.

Light the talent with flo's too - they are not HOT and your talent will love you.

You can buy it all at home depot. Doesn't get much cheaper. Works extremely well.

Jeff Kerry · February 7th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Thanks for all the assistance. We be trying them out this week-end.

Jeff

Greg Gordon · February 9th, 2006, 06:16 AM

Jeff,
We have been astounded at how forgiving Ultra has been. Go to:
http://nlemedia.com/Design.htm and click on the "Video" segment. It's all green screen. We are very pleased with the results.

Greg
nlemedia.com

Jerry Matese · February 12th, 2006, 10:25 PM

The "key" to ultra is grabbing a few seconds of video prior to your subject entering the sreeen. This allows the system to "read" the background including all its imperfections. The other thing is to make sure your camera exposure and settings are on manual so nothing changes after your subject enters the the screen.

As far as lighting, if you can swing it, the system benefits from three or more light sources. Ideally, a mainlight light offset to one side, a fill on the other somewhat spatially higher, a back/hair light setting the subject off from the backgraound and at least one wide backdrop light. This will give you outstanding results. Lighting is critical in keying!

February 1st, 2006, 12:03 AM	#1
Jeff Kerry New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 8	Lighting with Ultra I would like to know the best and cheapes way of doing lighting for using the green screen. I did see something about tube lights but can not find it now. Ayone with some suggestions please let me know. jkerry@charter.net Tks, Jeff

February 1st, 2006, 03:39 AM	#3
Stewart Menelaws Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scotland (UK) Posts: 219	Ultra 2 is pretty amazing.... Jeff - We did some tests using "Ultra" last week, where we took some really bad dark green cloth (it was all crumpled up). We lit it with 2 small Dedolights creating pretty bad shadows and then lit our head and shoulders shot about 3 feet from this background.... (yes... broke every rule in the book) Ultra 2 did an amazing job of dealing with it in less than 1 minute! We just wanted to see how the software would deal with this. We have been doing a lot of tests this week with various software and lighting set ups using "proper" green and blue screens for studio and location work - we have been looking at trying to get a very quick way of getting difficult interviews on location - hence the test above. I am not advocating sloppy work, but it is very intersesting what you can get away with these days using the likes of Ultra and DVMatte Pro. However - much will depend on the type of work you are doing. Stu... www.studioscotland.co.uk

February 9th, 2006, 06:16 AM	#6
Greg Gordon Tourist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3	We just used ordinary flourescents on cheap green cloth Jeff, We have been astounded at how forgiving Ultra has been. Go to: http://nlemedia.com/Design.htm and click on the "Video" segment. It's all green screen. We are very pleased with the results. Greg nlemedia.com __________________ Johnny Glucose

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February 1st, 2006, 12:45 AM	#2
Randy Harris New Boot Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lithonia, Ga Posts: 11	I think this may be looking for. I haven't tried it but it sounds good. http://www.digitalpostproduction.com...e.jsp?id=31427

February 1st, 2006, 03:48 PM	#4
Kim Kinser Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Voorhees, NJ Posts: 82	I use fluorescent light. Light the background seperately from the talent. you can use cardboard or whatever to keep any light from these spilling onto the talent. The goal for this part is to light your green screen exclusively and evenly. Get the talent as far forward as you can from the background. Light the talent with flo's too - they are not HOT and your talent will love you. You can buy it all at home depot. Doesn't get much cheaper. Works extremely well.

February 7th, 2006, 11:35 PM	#5
Jeff Kerry New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 8	Thanks for all the assistance. We be trying them out this week-end. Jeff

February 12th, 2006, 10:25 PM	#7
Jerry Matese Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Stroudsburg, PA Posts: 72	The "key" to ultra is grabbing a few seconds of video prior to your subject entering the sreeen. This allows the system to "read" the background including all its imperfections. The other thing is to make sure your camera exposure and settings are on manual so nothing changes after your subject enters the the screen. As far as lighting, if you can swing it, the system benefits from three or more light sources. Ideally, a mainlight light offset to one side, a fill on the other somewhat spatially higher, a back/hair light setting the subject off from the backgraound and at least one wide backdrop light. This will give you outstanding results. Lighting is critical in keying!