Green screen/Lighting set up question….

[David Bogie]

Buy the key background you can afford. That’s all there is to the question.

The best unit is not in your budget so you are going to make do with what you can afford. Light it very carefully, give yourself lots of separation and you really want to use a backlight. Green seems to work better in DV but that’s not universally true and I’ve never used the camera you are getting. Your chromakey filter is going to affect your decision so, if you can, visit the Web site of the publisher of your filter package and snoop around for color advice. There are probably several chromakey tutorials here on the cow.

Consider that you do not need to cover the entire frame with green or blue, just be sure you can cover the talent. You can always use a garbage matte to pull in the edges.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

bogiesan

This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”

[Eric Pratt]

I use a product called Chromatte which obviates things like lighting and separation and requires only light for the talent. It gets a brilliant key just using the keyer in FCP (but I’ve also used the keyer from the same company that makes the Chromatte for FCP, a demo is available somewhere on Apple’s site). I’m not going to link to myself because that would be self aggrandizing, but the manufacturer is Reflecmedia and a quick Google will turn up a lot on it.
* On rereading your post I see that your budget is $400, which puts this out of your pricerange, but at least it’s topical 🙂

Eric Pratt
https://www.virtualsetworks.com

[David Bogie]

Eric, I think many of us would have suggested reflectmedia but for the budget. Cool tool, worth it if you do lots of keying.
Of course you can link to your own stuff! Please do.

bogiesan

This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”

[Dan Boyd]

Go with the foam backed fabric. Very easy to light. Very hard to get hot spots. Fabric wrinkles don’t show.
It is the best shade of green I have worked with.

Dan

Dan Boyd Media Services, Inc.

[Smallfry]

I am in the same budget boat you are and have gotten great chromakey results using a green fabric and, believe this or not, going to Home Depot and getting these 250 watt quartz halogen worklights for about $15-20 each. I bought 4. Use some diffusion and make sure the lighting is very even. Get separation and use a backlight.

[Walter Biscardi]

[smallfry] “I am in the same budget boat you are and have gotten great chromakey results using a green fabric and, believe this or not, going to Home Depot and getting these 250 watt quartz halogen worklights for about $15-20 each. I bought 4.”

There’s a hobby store chain here in Georgia called “Hobby Lobby.” They have a felt fabric that’s got a great bright lime green color which I’ve used successfully in the past. Comes in four foot wide rolls and I usually have them cut 2 or 3 12′ lengths.

On the Home Depot side, I once found myself wanting some spotlights for a dance video we were doing. We purchased 500w worklights that sit on the floor and fashioned “cans” using HVAC pipes over the lights. They’re in the shot and they look just like actual cans on the floor. Sometimes you just gotta be like McGuyver and build a weapon out of a rubber band and a paperclip. 🙂

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Smallfry]

I have also used diffused flourescent tubes to flatly light the “key”. This works as well. Chromakey is easier than people think as long as you separate your subject from the background.

[Jacob Smith]

I think you can take the third one: “6′ x 7′ 2-Sided Chroma Key Green and Blue Pop-Up Flex-Drop Background” as it suits your need the best. Use small portable lights, connected to just one or two hubs. Best of luck.
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