[Ian Smith]

Thank you very much for the speedy reply…
That brings me to a few new question:

I am set up with 5 point lighting,… two on subject, one hair light, and two on backdrop (paper roll – green screen).

1. Any green screen lighting tips?
Naturally I seem to have most trouble if the subject is wearing mid-tones to light colors.

2. Have you had trouble with a peach glow on persons face, especially on profile shots? If I boost “black in-point” it helps, though I am aware that, that should be moved little to none at all.

Thank you!

[Ian Smith]

I have exported using the animation codec as you suggested, and kept my cutom deminsions exporting for the web at 640×480, and the final product…..

*drum roll*

…looks much better! Naturally there is a little clearity loss due to compressing for web, but still beats what I had by a long shot. You nailed it, and caught me on something I should have already known.
With more experience I suppose I won’t forget the codec requirement for green screening.

——-
Must I always export using animation codec when exporting a green screen product? I have nothing against it, I just want to make sure that I have down the best way to export for future purposes.

Thank you!

[Ian Smith]

I have actually changed the “output” settings (FROM animation to dvNTSC, custom 640×480) each time exporting a Quicktime movie straight from Motion in order to completely bypass Final Cut in order to see if I could avoid the issue…

but, to answer your exact question

No, I have not. I will try that and if something incredible happens I will respond to this post immediately for anyones future reference.

Thank you for response!

[Ian Smith]

I wonder if anyone knows much about the television interlacing…could that be a cause? My theory is that maybe some SD televisions interlace at different rates than other televisions, or if age of the tv itself could effect the pictures refreshing too?
Any ideas?

[Ian Smith]

Wow, that’s very helpful information. I don’t feel out of the norm by going about my cropping solution now.

Thank you very much for this information, very useful!

[Ian Smith]

I think this is making sense now! I have also been working on a DVD for the final video of these several, all shot and edited the same, and once imported into DVDStudioPro, I noticed that the original export from FCP had to be 720×480 this time, rather than 640×480, … because it’s going into the px ratio of television, and it makes the adjustments I’ve been curiouse about.

This is great! I’ve always hear that the day you don’t learn something is the day you die… this means I’m free to live another day!

Thank you! And all who have contributed to this post!

[Ian Smith]

Thank you for the response and helpful information. I had never heard of “blanking” before. Is that the actual technical term for that?
– I’m using a GL1
In this case, the final footage will be placed in a DVD, and it’s unknown where all it will be seen. The most important of all is it’s soon to come debute, in which it will be shown in front of a very large crowd, so naturally I want it to look as good as it’s content, and with some shots filling the entirety of the frame, and many with the “blanking”, I don’t want this glitchy effect. I’m not actually certain on what they will do the presentation on, though I asume a large projector screen, or a very large screen television. But then copies of the DVD will be sent out too. So, unfortunately I’ve got all the venues to cover.

Is it something I just have to deal with in the exporting process, and crop… or can I change a setting on the camera OR capture process? I’ve not known this camera for long, and as far as capturing I’ve looked over the settings pretty well, but there’s always room for error.

Thank you very much for your help!

[Ian Smith]

Thank you very much for your time and help. This was all very useful information.

– no need to reply further –

[Ian Smith]

The destination for this video content is on-line. I do understand that there are differences in pixel dimensions, though maybe I’m still just not getting the big picture.

What I’m trying to understand is what I’m doing wrong, if anything. Is the operation I’m doing correct, and the export process is like this for everyone… or just me? What can I do to make sure I’m following the same “shoot video, capture, and export” process as everyone else?
I do feel silly asking these questions, especially having a degree in this, but I do crave the full understanding for the process of my work.

My operation is: Shoot video using the 4:3 deminsion setting > Import making sure my settings are the same > edit project with 4:3 (720×480) sequence settings (footage still looks correct and not skewed) > but then, export 720×480 (and footage is fat) > re-export this time using 640×480 for perfect outcome.

Perfect outcome is great for me, but I want to know why if the entire time I’ve worked on the project all has been set to 720×480, why export using 720×480 would be skewed? Would it look correct on a television screen, and just not my monitor?

Sorry to bombard you with all these questions, I appreciate your time and help very much!

[Ian Smith]

Thank you for the reply…

Yes, I do understand the image stretching detail… and I like the “balloon” example you gave. This however isn’t the exact issue.

I am trying to have a simple image of a man talking, with text bullet points coming up as he discusses a topic come up next to him. In order to make room for the text points, I took the 720×480 video of the man, and slid it to the left on the sequence (also 720×480), BUT that’s where there’s not enough room. I don’t have enough room for the text at that dimension, or it will run off the page, or it would have to be condinsed too much if it were to stay on the page…SO, I want the background sequence to allow for more width.
Is there a more simple way to do this, and still being able to use the (already shot) 720×480 footage of the man.
The final video aspect ratio would be perfect if it were about 772×480, without the video of the man being scewed of course.
Does this answer everything?

I have already finished the projects, though I would like to know of a way to do exactly as discribed above.