In 1982, over 300,000 extras were used in the funeral scene of the movie Gandhi. As technology has improved, these huge cinematic undertakings have become less commonplace, with computers adding backgrounds and characters to scenes. But do you know how that is made possible?
This is down to the humble green screen, though using one can be troublesome. Read on as we discuss the most common green screen mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Shadows
Shadows on a green screen can cause problems. They will have to be removed in editing which can result in the elimination of other elements.
The best tactic is to avoid them altogether. Invest in excellent green screen lighting and take time to set up the shots so there are no shadows.
2. Motion Blur
Motion blur will occur when the green screen subject moves too fast. The camera fails to keep up, and this reveals some of the green screen. It gives a strange, blurred effect you don’t want on the camera.
This fix lies not with your green screen but your camera. Decrease the aperture and increase the shutter speed. It will let you shoot more frames in a second eliminating the problem.
3. Color Spill
When you apply too much green screen lighting, problems may also occur. This will show a fuzzy green halo around subjects, or they may have a green tinge under the light. In this instance, you need to decrease the intensity of the light sources.
4. Unevenly Lit Screen
Green screen lighting that is uneven will prevent more post-production problems. Dark and light areas will need to be evened out, which presents the same issues as removing shadows. If you are in charge of the chroma key process you can have a large task to hand.
One way to solve this is to add more lights. If you are on a larger production with green screen room rental, you may wish to hire a gaffer who will be in charge of organizing this.
5. Make-Up
When using a green screen for professional productions, you will save a lot of time and effort by hiring a makeup artist. Makeup can look very different when placed under bright, powerful lights. When you add reflections from the green screen, things can alter vastly.
If you are using special effects makeup this can change even more. An artist will know how to keep reflections at bay, making the subject look natural.
6. Stepping Out of the Scene
This can be impossible to fix in post-production, as body parts leave the green screen area. The only fix is to have a larger green screen or ask your subjects to remain in one spot. When you are acting, this can make the scene look unnatural.
Avoiding Green Screen Mistakes
Now you know these green screen mistakes, you can work to avoid them. Unfortunately, some require expert knowledge and the use of better equipment. The more you put into using the green screen, the more you will get out.
If you found this helpful, we have many more. From lighting to recording, we can help your next production look as professional as possible.
Leave a Reply