Lighting with a greenscreen for FCP

[Greg Ondera]

I don’t see any video on that page. It looks like photography and Photoshop to me.

Greg Ondera
http://www.Plexus.tv
http://www.SurgeonToday.org

[Greg Ondera]

I looked a little deeper and if you notice when the spokesperson is in the shot there indeed is a shadow, so it could be green screen and likely is but it could also be a large white background. The closeups I imagine are photos and Photoshop. Wither FCP or AE can help you here.

Greg Ondera
http://www.Plexus.tv
http://www.SurgeonToday.org

[Bryan Phillips]

Thanks for the response Craig. Yes, about half the products have videos if you click through, but there isn’t an actual link I could post.

I am about to purchase a light kit and backdrop, do you think look would this be easier to achieve with an accompanying green screen setup or white backdrop setup? I really only notice minor shadows on the ground, the background is bright white.

[Hamdani Milas]

That white limbo look in the chair + presenter video reference was probably achieved in a studio with a seamless white cyclorama background and carefully lit and maybe tweaked with colour corrected to create an even white background. I doubt it was green screen as the presenter is wearing a light green shirt! It could have been a blue screen studio though.

If you’re seeing the floor you need chroma key material there too.

In a white studio with either a permanent white cyclorama or large photo cyclorama paper you could hang a large 20 ‘x 20’ silk butterfly over the set with lights above creating on overall diffused look with a key and backlight for the performer. These could be on floor stands. A white studio is obviously easier to manage in post but it’s important to get the lighting balance right between performer and background.

Hope this helps

Independent producer, director, cinematographer, writer, editor
Milas Film Productions, Hong Kong
http://www.milasfilm.com

[Tom Matthies]

My guess would be a white hard cyc and lit and exposed to blow out the whites a bit. If it’s green screen, it’s an incredibly good one especially if you watch the video for the black mesh chair. The fine mesh in the back of the chair would be a nightmare to get a good key on a green screen. Not to mention all of the chrome on the base of the chair which would be reflecting green/blue backing and would be very difficult to clean up.

E=MC2+/-2db

[Bryan Phillips]

Thanks for the posts guys, it sounds like a white cyclorama setup is the way to go. I want to set up a temporary studio, film for about 2-3 weeks TOPS, then take it down. A lot of the YouTube videos out there showing how to make a white cyc studio look too permanent – perhaps this a cost I have to factor in – build it and destroy it/throw it in a garage somewhere when done. Does anyone have experience in setting up a removable cyc studio at the client’s location? I am worried using a spool of paper will just rip too often. Or maybe I just buy a few large rolls and don’t worry about that?

As far as lighting, I am thinking of either getting 4 QL-1000W or 4 MX-1000W lights, which should hopefully suffice for key, backlight, and an extra 2 to help remove shadows.

Hamdani-I like the suggestion of the idea of diffusing light from above, however I don’t imagine it will be too easy to light from above, I think I am limited to c stands, but I could diffuse one or two from below perhaps?

[Bryan Phillips]

In doing some more research, I think the best way to set up a temporary cyc studio will be to buy a stand such as this one on Calumet:

https://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_heavy_duty_background_support/mf6095

And either a white vinyl or paper roll.

I’m sure photographers out there are probably thinking DUH, however the majority of my experience is outdoor videography and not studio photography. A permanent cyc studio look pretty sick however, so many cool uses… one day…