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virtual set
Next week I will be shooting a corporate video with the “look” of a typical late-night talk show.
We’ll be using a nice big green screen cyc, shooting on XDCAM for later compositing in After Effects. Although I’ve shot plenty of green screen, this has a special challenge: The client wants the host (sitting behind his desk) and the “guest” (sitting in a chair) to be directly on the green screen, so that the virtual set extends under their feet. I suggested that we put them on a platform, or a piece of carpet.
We probably will not see many shots framed that wide, but I’m still concerned. I’ve always lit green screens perfectly even, and don’t see a way to do that with a big chair, a desk, and two people sitting. I know that green screens can “take” a shadow as long as it matches the background, but this seems to be asking for trouble.
Thoughts?
Bob C
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4 Replies
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Well, you may have to do roto work on just the wide shots where the under-chair area is visible and under-lit. I don’t know why people are always so scared of roto; maybe its just the tedium of it. Time=$.
Or you might apply extra iterations of the keyer to just that limited area. Or you compromise your lighting to get more soft diffused light into the under-seat area.
If you sat the talent on a couch or love seat instead of a chair, that would be easier than a stool type chair. More conventional for a talk show, as well, if the host is behind a desk.
Don’t forget to put somme tracking points on the walls and floor.
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[Mark Suszko] “tracking points “
We’re planning on lock shots – not enough time and money to do tracking.
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I wouldn’t sweat it too much, Bob… head-to-toe-including-floor greenscreen shots usually work pretty well… IF you do a good job on the lighting, and IF you are using a good keyer.
As for lighting, you might need a little special or kicker light on the feet area, but it usually doesn’t have to be too much.
As for keying, something like Ultimatte or Keylight should do a good job. I’ve been really impresssed with Keylight in After Effects lately… it can do some pretty flawless keys.
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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I can understand that. My thought was that they can perhaps help get the virtual set wall and floor angles “right”, even for a locked-off shot.
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