View Full Version : possible to do your own blue screen
vocare
05-15-2006, 11:03 AM
instead of buying a good blue screen ..
is it possible just to get a blue wall paper
what are the thing to look for ?
twocik23
05-15-2006, 11:18 AM
Yes you could do that, just make sure it the color is flat (no gloss).
ovjamaica
05-15-2006, 11:49 AM
Like twocik said, it's important to have a matte surface, rather than a gloss surface. A glossy surface will throw color back onto your talent, creating more spill. Glossy surfaces are also more likely to have hotspots, as they reflect light much more easily. Try finding something like a large roll of fabric. I've seen people just paint over a wall, but unless you've got a spare wall around that's not usually an option. For all of the trouble, it's pretty cheap to get a good green/blue screen. I got one just like this (http://cgi.ebay.com/AMVONA-MUSLIN-PHOTO-BACKGROUND-BACKDROP-1012-27224-2_W0QQitemZ7617795156QQcategoryZ79005QQrdZ1QQcmdZV iewItem) for about $30. Just watch the auctions and you can get them fairly cheap. This one is only at $4.25 and has just 5 hours left. You can win one easily for $30. There are other options as well. But I'd just get one. Much easier to handle.
They even show you (in that picture) how NOT to use it (talent being too close to the green screen casting shadows on it, AND.... possibly bringing the screen in focus as opposed to having it soft)
filmtools.com has that exact kind of paint in blue and green
marlenedegrood
05-18-2006, 05:23 AM
If you do a google search you will find a lot of "recipes" for lime green paint that you can get mixed at home depot.
garyh357
05-18-2006, 09:40 AM
I've used seemless paper before from a photography supply. Can't remember where I bought it, but it worked fine.
snodart
05-18-2006, 10:32 AM
I bought 14' wide X very long rolls of blue and green backdrops from a local photo supply place for $50 each. If lit evenly and placed far enough behind the subject, they work great. I don't remember exactly how much, but I also got some stands for the backdrops for pretty cheap as well. I think the stands were from Calumet. They can also be used to hold GOBOs, bounce cards, etc.