FCP Chroma Key suggestions

[NeverColdCall]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Chroma Key in FCP. I'm getting my keys about 90% to my satisfaction but am having a really hard time getting rid of the "boiling" effect in shots. They're good enough for the web where you can't see it, but not for DVD. I've tried the free trial of DV Matte Pro but was unimpressed and found FCP's built-in Chroma Keyer to be easier to use and more effective.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated. I'm new to all this. Thanks!

PS: A couple of clips are on my blog at http://nevercoldcall.typepad.com if you'd like to see what I've done so far.

 

[sjjd199]

Final Cut isn't the best software for chroma keying. I think Motion does a better job, but from looking at your website you have a long takes to key, not just short clips.

Well lit footage with backlights and evenly lit green screen is the best start.

If you have an HVX, shoot in DV50. (4:2:2 color sampling is better than 4:1:1)

It seems like you have some static shots. Use a garbage matte to get rid of most of the green that you can.

A 4:2:2 or 4:1:1 Color Smoothing filter (depending on format) could help.

Then use multiple chroma keys if you need to.

Soften. Spill Suppress. Tweak.

 

[tbanucci]

Your key looks pretty good actually. If you are sick of the FCP keyer, which is not the best, here are some plugin's to try (all of them work as demos):

MatteBlast (Motion)
DVMatte (FCP Plugin)
VKey 2 (this is a link to the review)

I have done lots of keying in FCP, and I've noticed that one tool is not always the best for any situation. The best thing to do is demo all of these and decide which is the best for your footage.

Ted

 

[NoahK]

Also at $500 Shake is a bargain with world-class compositing- for example the Lord of the Rings trilogy...

Noah

 

[NeverColdCall]

Cool, thanks for the suggestions. Like I said I wasn't impressed with the DVMatte Pro demo (I got better keys in FCP) but will try the others.

 

[bbalser]

Actually, I get GREAT keys out of FCP. You just have to learn it properly. "Advanced Color Correction and Effects in Final Cut Pro 5", great book, your keys in FCP will improve a lot.

In FCP you can get as good as anywhere else with third party plug-ins. Conduit, dvMatte, there's several that do as good a job as anything else.

But learning Motion isn't a bad idea either.

Shake, for simple keying, not worth the money unless you're really going to do other things. Conuit does what most editors need.