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Subject moving around an object
Hello all,
I’m a web developer but I was asked to produce a video similar to this: https://www.walkermowers.com/
I am a novice user when it comes to video production/editing so please take it easy on me. I think the flash video on the website is using a green screen to delete the background. But I have no idea how the subject is walking out from behind the mower picture and then moving into it. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
I have Adobe Premiere and After Effects CS5 and I also purchased a green screen with lighting kit from eBay.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Tom
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7 Replies
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He either walks out from behind a greenscreen wall and stands in front of it or they did it with a mask and then removed it.
It’s going to require a decently-sized studio if you want a head-to-toe greenscreen shot in either instance.
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So there are two green screens? One big green screen behind the whole scene, and then another one that he walks out from behind it?
Can you apply two chroma key to the same video?
Would it be easier with After Effect or Premiere?
Thanks for your help!
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You could also flip the camera 90 deg to get a full res tight standing shot.
Just like Allan said, a simple square mask on the key at the edge of the front graphic will do the trick.
Vince Becquiot
Kaptis Studios
San Francisco – Bay Area -
That’s possible, or they could have set up a mask where the subject walked “around” the picture initially, then removed it once he was in front.
Either way, you need enough floor space and enough lighting to make for an even exposure on your talent in front of something large enough for a head-to-toe shot – which also means green on the floor. And at least as important, an even exposure on the greenscreen wall behind the talent. You’ll also want that wall to be far enough behind the talent that neither spill nor shadows cause you trouble.
There are plugins to make the inverted reflection, but it’s also possible to do it with stock/standard effects and opacity.
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Thanks!
What software do you recommend for this (After Effect, Premiere, etc)?
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This begins a complete other discussion.
First, make very certain the lighting on your green BG is even. A waveform monitor is your best friend in the world here. The zebra in your camera is a close second. I try to have my greenscreen BG nice and even (within 5-10 IRE max variation) at about 40 or so. If your camera zebra is set at 70 or 80, open up the iris about a stop or so maybe, until you see a zebra on the display – it should be even, without hot spots or holes.
Once that’s been determined, move on to your subject. Light normally. Make sure the talent is at a proper distance from the BG to avoid either shadowing the wall or getting green bounce. Maybe just a taste more hair/edge light, not too “butch” though. A tiny bit of warming on the edge helps, just don’t overdo that either.
Once that’s been done, we can move on to the software.
I’ve pulled OK greenscreen keys using different methods (chroma key, color key) in PPro, using Keylight in After Effects, and using Ultra, which I care less for.
They all work. Ultra offers a lot of adjustments but is less stable and will not output in an uncompressed format, which I prefer when making submasters. Keylight (in AE) has a lot of options and does a great job, with enough time for tweaking. PPro’s keyers work fine – if your lighting is right.
Why did I spend the time on lighting? Because the software only enters into it once the shot is in the can, unless you’re using a live keyer. And the critical part of getting a good composite out of a greenscreen setup is lighting it properly in the first place. And if you are doing a head-to-toe standup you’re going to need to light a good-sized area, including some green floor. My best advice is to find a studio space of sufficient size and make sure they have enough (and the right kind of!) lighting to make the shot as good as it can be first.
Vince’s trick of turning the camera 90 degrees is a good idea too, as you won’t be using a lot of the space on the side of the frame otherwise.
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Alan,
I’m following your instructions here and I’m making progress… thank you 😉
I’m using a Four-Point Garbage Matte. My subject appears to walk out from behind the picture. How do I remove the Garbage Matte once the subject needs to move in front of it? Do I have to add a keyframe to remove the mask?
Thanks again!
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