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Home: Video University Forums: Teaching Video Production:
Chromakey

X-Tim
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Sep 14, 2003, 1:02 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2367 views)
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Chromakey	Can't Post

How do you make your own Green or Blue screen. Can you make one with card board and paint, and if so is there a special paint?

X-Janet_Kerby
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Sep 14, 2003, 6:56 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2366 views)
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Re: Chromakey	Can't Post

I used background paper purchased from a company which sold Prom decorations. 9 ft wide by 36 feet long in chromakey blue. Very inexpensive. It worked beautifully with my little Panasonic AV mixer's chromakey effect as long I lit it well enough to remove any shadows and have a uniform background to key out.

X-Doug_Graham
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Sep 15, 2003, 10:49 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2367 views)
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Re: Chromakey [In reply to]	Can't Post

There IS special chromakey paint, but it's rather pricey...and you don't need to use it to make your own blue or green screen.
Print out a sample of chromakey green or blue (or for that matter, straight Green or Blue from your favorite paint program) Take it down to WalMart or Home Depot and have 'em mix up a gallon of paint to match it as closely as you can. The exact shade isn't critical -- your keyer can be adjusted to key quite a range of colors.
For material, there are several choices. You can use gypsum wallboard (heavy, suitable only for permanent installation), or foamcore posterboard (portable, suitable for field work, but not available in large sizes), or a sheet of 1/64" laminate. The laminate is fragile and can't be easily transported, but it can be rigged in a frame for studio use, and it's flexible enough that the bottom edge can bend to form a "cove" to help hide the wall/floor junction.
Maximum portability can be achieved with chromakey cloth or seamless background paper, available from photo supply houses. Try http://www.markertek.com The cloth will require some sort of frame to stretch it on. PVC pipe is one possibility if you want to build your own.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-Chet_Davis
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Sep 15, 2003, 6:29 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2366 views)
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Re: Chromakey [In reply to]	Can't Post

As pointed out in previous posts - you can use paint on your own surface (temporary or permanent to create a chroma key studio. Bottom line is that the paint should be 50% saturation (a true paint store should be able to help if you do not have access a sample color swatch). Also be aware of the finish to avoid too much reflection with studio lights.
That is one of the biggest problem I have heard when talking with folks doing chroamkey... they spend a lot of $ on the surface but neglect to have an even 'bath' of light with no hot spots. That will affect the success of your chroma key effects.
Regards,
Chet

X-grinner
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Sep 22, 2003, 7:41 PM

Post #5 of 5 (2366 views)
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Re: Chromakey [In reply to]	Can't Post

A roll of linolium is your friend. It's cheap, it's thick and it's tough. No creases or wrinkles. Paint the bottom of it with ultimmate blue or ultimatte green. When you roll it up, it will keep it protected during storage and transport. When you un-roll it, it makes a great cyc just by hanging it by two c-stands. Including paint (which is 80 bucks a gallon) it will cost you less than 200 bucks.
Have fun and make sure your students know this is a home job on a budget and not the norm.