Utilizing a green screen is a fun, innovative way to make your videos more exciting; but most of the time it doesn’t pan out like you had planned.
The biggest reason for green screen blunders is poor lighting.
A green screen is used essentially to be from the background; giving you a blank slate to start from. When your wonderful video editor is given footage with a green screen they do start by removing it. The best way to help them do that is make sure they have a solid green surface to remove.
When setting up your green screen, before you bust out your fancy lights, you need to make sure you have white light bulbs. You will want these over traditional yellow light bulbs because of the color they will cast on you and your screen. When using traditional yellow light bulbs you cast a yellow light over you and your green screen. By doing that you will create similar tones on you and the screen, so when your editor goes to remove the screen they have may have trouble not removing parts of your face as well.
Once you have the correct light bulbs it’s time for wardrobe. You want to avoid wearing anything green or yellow, unless you don’t mind looking like a floating head. You will want to wear colors closer to red and purple if you can. Red specifically is the opposite from green on the color wheel, so this will give you the best contrast. When in doubt black and white will always work just fine.
Last but definitely not least, you will need to set up your lighting. The MOST IMPORTANT thing when lighting your green screen is to make sure it is even lighting.
You want to avoid bright spots and shadows on your screen. The diagram gives you the best example of how to set up three simple lights. You want to have two lights to the side and even with you if not behind you. These will be your lights for the green screen. Each light should be pointed a third of the way in from each side of the screen. These will create the even lighting on your screen, making it a solid “green wall” behind you. Your third light will be YOUR light, this light should be in front of you giving you a “spotlight”. Make sure the light is far enough away from you that you do not cast a shadow on your green screen.
If you are ever in doubt, once you have everything set up, take a minute to just film yourself saying something simple like your name. Watch the footage and double check for bright spots and shadows on your screen. If you have any further questions, or want help setting up for your video shoot feel free to email us or bring it up on your next Vyral Strategy call.
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