Green Screen

Green screen filming, technically known as chroma keying, is one of the most widely used visual effects techniques. The subject performs in front of a large, evenly lit green (or sometimes blue) backdrop. In post-production, software identifies all pixels matching the background color and makes them transparent, allowing any other image or video to be composited behind the subject. This technique enables placing people in any environment imaginable without physically traveling there.

Achieving a convincing green screen composite requires careful attention during both production and post-production. During filming, the green screen must be evenly lit with no shadows, wrinkles, or hot spots. The subject must be positioned far enough from the screen to avoid green light bouncing onto them ("green spill"). Wardrobe must avoid any green elements. In post, a skilled compositor refines the key edge, removes spill, matches lighting and color between the subject and the new background, and adds subtle interaction elements like shadows and reflections.

Green screen work ranges from simple background replacement for corporate presentations to complex composites for film and broadcast. The technique is invaluable for creating videos that require exotic or impossible locations, hazardous environments, or fantastical settings. When planning a green screen shoot, invest in proper lighting and sufficient studio space — these factors have the greatest impact on the quality of the final composite and determine how seamlessly the subject integrates into the new environment.