Our green screen studio is used by all kinds of creators. From live-streaming YouTube stars to corporate companies hosting virtual events, we’ve even had big names like Noel Gallagher gracing our green screen studio.But today we wanted to step away from the professional chat and take things back to basics. If you’re a beginner with an at-home screen screen, here are 5 tips for using a green screen.
1. Setting Up Your Green Screen
Hanging your green screen properly is the first step. You need it on a frame that will fit the entire background of your shot.You need to make sure the screen is as flat as possible, with no wrinkles or tears as these will make it harder to edit your footage. If your screen has been folded up or it’s fresh out of the package, you might want to iron it to smooth out any creases.Tip: If you’re not a fan of ironing you can buy or rent wrinkle-resistant screens.
2. Lighting is Key
With any photography or videography, lighting is key. That same principle applies to green screen filming too.One common misconception is that if there is enough lighting on the subject, everything will be ok. That’s actually not true! Your green screen also needs to be sufficiently lit up, otherwise, it’ll look patchy on camera which will make it more tricky to work with in post-production.
3. Shooting Your Subject
Whatever you’re filming, you need to make sure there’s plenty of space between the subject and the green screen. If you put the person or object right in front of the green screen, there might be a green tinge reflecting on them. That will make it harder to match the lighting of your subject to the lighting of the background you’ll add in post.
4. Removing the Green Screen
Once you’ve shot your footage, you need to edit out the green screen. There are countless editing software you can use, and each one will have its own set of instructions and methods. Whatever the case, follow the guidelines of the program provider you have chosen.
5. Adding Your Background
The last step (and the hardest) is adding your new background. When editing in your new background, pay special attention to the details, these are the things that will give you away if you’re not careful. Double-check the lighting, sharpness, hue and other levels, to ensure the end product is as realistic as possible.If you’d like to benefit from a professionally set-up and maintained green screen, book a slot at Mount Pleasant Studios. Our fully-equipped studio is completely soundproofed and kitted out with high-speed fibre, broadband and plenty of sound and lighting equipment.
