Green Screen in FCP

ktdmoviemaker

ktdmoviemaker

Well-known member
Hi everyone. I am new to FCP and just received a job which requires green screen work. I know final cut has the capabilities, but I am not quite sure how to operate that function. If someone would be kind enough to explain their experience on how to use it, some useful tips, and proper framing and lighting, I would really appreciate it.

Have a great day everyone,

-Kris
 
Have a play with the different keying filters. I tend to use the "Color Key" filter, and often stack them to achieve the best results ie use different filters to key out different shades of green. If possible shoot on a camera that has better colour depth than DV. You really want at least 4:2:2 for good results, which means Digibeta or DVCPRO.

As far as lighting, ensure the screen is evenly lit, with no shadows. Try to avoid green spill onto the actor. FCP does have a good spill suppression filter in case that does happen.
 
Layer greenscreen over the background layer
If this is DV add the key -> color smoothing 4.1.1
Then add Key -> Blue and Green screen filter.
Then add Key -> Spill suppressor - Green
Disable color smoothing nd spill suppression for now.
Display matte in the Green screen keyer and start making adjustments.
make large moves with each of the settings so you an see first hand what it does.
Try to get a solid white and black in the matte without too hard of edges.

Turn on your other filers one by one and try the adjustments. It will take some back and forth to get the best settings.

Proper framing - try to frame so green covers the entire frame. If thta's not possible make sure it covers the object or actor that's moving. If they go off the screen then you've defeated some of the reason to use a greenscreen.

make the light as even as possible.

Keep your subject as far from the screen as possible and make sure they don't have dark shadows that turn green from the screen.

Shoot some tests with different exposures for the screen and run it through FCP.

Do a search in FCP help menu for Green Screen. They take you through all the steps and options.
 
Keep the actor as far away from the screen as possible to prevent shadows and spillover. It doesn't help at all to have a great color keyed picture with glowing green around the actor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top