Chroma Key advise

[Bill M]

I'm wanting to buy a green screen but there is a myriad of product out there. Looking at a foam backed on but it is only 5' wide.

Any do's, don'ts, advice on what I should look to buy would certainly be appreciated.

[Bill M]

Not sure this was the right place for this thread but would sure appreciate any comments pertaining to the subject. TIA

[dminton]

If you're looking to green screen something in order to cut it out all you really need is a bright green seamless. The key is just making sure that you light it evenly and with enough separation from the subject. And any color will work as long as it is different enough from the subject that you want to keep.

[Bill M]

Thank you for the input David.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

There are actually Green, Blue, Red and even a Gray Chromakey materials out there. Green is used most often since the person/item being shot is most likely not going to be wearing a shade of green close to that of the screen so you can then do the fx. There are also PAINTS that can be used to paint a flat wall/material to create the Chromakey look.

As mentioned above the background has to be evenly lit and usually I believe it should be a couple stops different than the subjects lighting.

BTW not all of the Chromakey material is made the same out there, some is a real light synthetic while others are actually cotton or cotton blends and the ability to clean out any stains varies as to the material.

http://www.scenicsource.com/cyclorama.shtml
Sells some cut yardage and you can get some very wide pieces up to 100 yrds long if doing a BIG shoot. (I know the owner of the business and used to help him out on occasion a couple years ago so learned a lot about chromakey materials).

[Cajungaltx]

The PPGH had a guy talk about the Green Screens this last week - I attended as a speaker for NILMDTS - they tried several different kinds - and in the end - he took some canvases, and had them painted chroma key green (bought paint at Lowes/Home Depot). The requirement for lighting was pretty specific - you have to have it light VERY evenly across the background for the extraction to work in the most efficient method.

[lucian]

Check out PhotoFlex.

http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_P...ew_metakey=698

And click on the Flex Drop and there is another page which gives a lesson/demo on its use.

http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_P...op2/index.html

Get on their newletter and you can get some decent buys. They had this on sale around Christmas time $91. with shipping.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by lucian

Check out PhotoFlex.

http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_P...ew_metakey=698

And click on the Flex Drop and there is another page which gives a lesson/demo on its use.

http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_P...op2/index.html

Get on their newletter and you can get some decent buys. They had this on sale around Christmas time $91. with shipping.

That's the one they said SUCKED.

Because the flexible one isn't straight - so lighting it evenly (a requirement to cut it out) is a WITCH!

[ldelacruz]

What are you using it for? 5' should be ok for 1 or 2 people.

[Bill M]

Thanks for the additional input everyone. I purchased one of muslin.

Lonnie it probably would have been fine but 5' just didn't seem enough at the time.

It is working fine with the exception of a little green light spill back onto the edge of the subject. I think I need to pull the subject further away from the backdrop or put up some panels to block the light coming back.