21 Replies Latest reply: Nov 15, 2013 1:00 PM by tstormSierra RSS

    What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?

    hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

      I had the green screen settings saved on my computer and somehow they've disappeared. I have been in the meantime just making an educated guess by using these settings:

       

      Ultra Key Output Composite

      Setting Custom

      Key Color (eyedropper) the green just above the shoulder

      Matte Generation

      Transparency: 50

      Highlight: 0

      Shadow: 50

      Tolerence: 100

      Pedestal: 100

       

       

      Matte Cleanup

      choke: 0.0

      Soften: 0.0

      Contrast: 0.0

      Mid Point: 50

       

       

      Spill Suppression

      Desaturate: 50

      Range: 25

      Spill: 50

      Luma: 50

       

       

      Color Correction

      Saturation: 100

      Hue: 0

      Luminance: 100

       

      This is my result so far, but I used to have different settings and these were just ones I had to experiment with as I couldn't find the original ones. Here is my upload to YouTube using these settings, I realize I need to invest in more lights which would probably make this process easier:

       

      link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7mGYyQofOg&feature=share&list=UUxdGY8nhB7waymVljxwuEsA

       

      and this is the green screen only, although this was done in Adobe Premiere Elements 11 and I can't figure out why it's got that black frame:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zEAOXB5lSQ&feature=share&list=UUxdGY8nhB7waymVljxwuEsA

       

      This was the green screen shoot that I used the settings that I lost that was given to me from the Adobe Forum some time ago (again I'd have a better result if I had more lighting):

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9_VNk8v0ks&feature=share&list=UUxdGY8nhB7waymVljxwuEsA

        • 1. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
          SAFEHARBOR11 Community Member

          No one can tell you what settings to use, it is unique to every single scene (and sometimes changes during the scene as well!). Start with the eydropper, then tweak settings until it looks as good as possible. Move sliders and watch results. I'm sure you can Google up some tutorials on setting the keyer controls.

           

          As a constructive criticism, I viewed the YouTube videos (keyed and original) and forgetting about keying for a moment, the quality of the clip itself as just a video is very sub-par. I would never even make any attempt to key such a poor quality of source clip. Sorry. And close the shade, the light coming in from the left on the subjects arm is apparently also glaring into the lens and causing the washed out area in middle of image.

           

          One does not need to spend big bucks on pro lighting. Go down to the hardware store and get some of the those shiny metal bowl type of light fixtures that have a spring clamp on them, less than $10. And get "GE Reveal" bulbs, which create a nice clean light (standard incansdescent bulbs have a reddish cast).

           

          Get your subject farther from the green background, and light the background separately. Throw some light at the background, as even as possible, such as one light angled in from each side, and then put another light or two on the subject. That is a good starting point. Use manual white balance on camera and get a good focus and you should be in business.

           

          Good luck

           

          Jeff

          • 2. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
            hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

            What do you mean about “the quality of the clip”—subpar, I am just an amateur, learning to shoot better. I do have several cameras, but these particular clips were shot using my Canon Vixia HF 200 camera with shot gun mic. It is a consumer camera which I paid around $300 for it. Not the best camera, or are you talking about the framing? I do this because I enjoy shooting and editing my footage, but as for finding people who can actually point out how I could make it better, well for me it’s all a crap shoot—trial and error both shooting and editing. I have no formal education using Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Premiere Elements 9 or 11. The only training I have was a few months of training using Final Cut Pro which was one on a Mac. I don’t own a Mac but I found Adobe Premiere Elements 9 later upgraded to 11 that works on PC as well as Mac. I do it because it’s what I really enjoy doing. I do belong to a Video Club where we had a workshop on green screen, but no one has helped me figure out how to shoot or edit better. I will invest in some cheap hardware store lights and thanks for the tip to get my subject farther away from the green screen background and to light the background separately.

            • 3. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
              shooternz Community Member

              The quality of the clip as SafeHarbour has mentioned is not very well shot for the purpose of Green screening

               

              We can tell that clearly in the second link.

               

              It is flat and grey and without enough chroma saturation to allow a decent key to pull thru.

               

              There are certain technical elements that need to be fullfilled for key work to suceed.

               

              A decent photograhic image is the start point.

               

              I believe we have been thru this with you first time round at length and gave you photo guidance as well as keying info.

               

              Why cant your video club give you some help for the shoot part at least?

              • 4. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                SAFEHARBOR11 Community Member

                I was not trying to sound mean, but regardless of the quality of the camera, you must give it some light to make a picture with. Any cheap camera can make a decent image with enough light. The video clips, original and keyed versions, somehow look muddy (dark, lacking detail) and yet washed-out at the same time (black shirt looks gray). Perhaps the light coming from left of frame is bouncing into the lens, I don't know. Just basics 101, add light to the scene whether keying or not.

                 

                Bottom line, keying should never even be attempted with a video clip shot in the dark, sorry. I've pulled fair keys with only "office lighting" and nothing else, but the samples provided are just way dark.

                 

                Thanks

                 

                Jeff

                • 5. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                  hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                  I am sorry but you are rude. As mentioned I am a amateur and I am trying to learn. I have tried the club but I have had to go outside of the club. I guess you never learned what your mother told you, that's if she did, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". I only use this forum periodically when I can't find the answer. That was obviously an mistake. You are SO RUDE.

                   

                  Sent from my iPhone

                  • 6. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                    Peter J Kovacs Community Member

                    Sometimes a decent starting point is to use the eye dropper tool and then use the aggressive setting.

                     

                    But lately this has been my typical workflow:

                     

                    • Use the eye dropper tool and select green area as close to the edge of the person as possible
                    • Crank both Tolerance and Pedestal to 100
                    • Set both Choke and Soften to 15

                     

                    But as everybody says, it depends on camera, lighting, etc. I mainly use a Canon DSLR set to 1/60 shutter speed (which cuts down on motion blur) and then make sure the green screen is lit evenly.

                     

                    -Pete

                    • 7. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                      shooternz Community Member

                        No rudeness intended or implied.

                       

                      You were simply told that the image is not good enough to work with and the reasons why.

                       

                      It wasnt good enough  last time either and we gave you the same advice on how to do it better..

                      • 8. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                        hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                        Like I said, you are very Rude and would use slang language but I choose to refrain myself.

                        • 9. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                          hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                          Thanks Peter, you are the first one to offer advice to improve rather than criticize it. I will try that. Thanks again.

                          • 10. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                            hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                            Thanks, I figured that in the beginning and this is in my opinion constructive criticism that offers a solution unlike Shootendz, but how can a person trust what some with a handle like Shootendz.. Thanks.

                            • 11. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                              Kevin-Monahan Adobe Employee

                              Hi Heather,

                              Here is a good video for you to watch regarding setting up for a greenscreen. I hope it helps you in the future.

                               

                              • 12. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                shooternz Community Member

                                Let us know how you get on Heather.

                                • 13. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                  hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                                  Thanks I will take a look at it.

                                   

                                  Sent from my iPhone

                                  • 14. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                    hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                                    I will, first I need to invest in lights; although, Marcel says he's got those work lights, maybe I'll invest in even another Green Screen. I sent an email to Michael of the Video Club of how long ago our Green Screen was and I forwarded your email to him where you say that even my first GS was crap (well not those wording). You don't realize I only learned this by trial and error, I played that James Green Screen at our club meeting and other club members never had your reaction to my video, they seemed to like it. I did tweak based on the feedback I received.I don't have your experience and I learn from others such as the club, YouTube videos and more recently a book called Digital Video Handbook by Tom Ang.

                                     

                                    Marcel responded, "wow" after forwarding your email because he knows how hard I work to learn without paying $20,000 to a school who won"t even help you find a job. I am just basing this on the fact that I paid over $10,000 for the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communications and the school isn't helping me find work. I am working as a cashier and the only thing that gives me joy is shooting Marcel play his music. He has a talent for playing guitar and composing his music and I like shooting him.  Makes up for the job I don't have,

                                     

                                    Sent from my iPhone

                                    • 15. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                      hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                                      Sorry, “Shooternz” Just wanted to share one other thing I wanted to share with you ” is Michael’s (of our Video Club) when I shared your response with him,

                                      “Green screen workshop was on Monday January 21st of this year…

                                       

                                       

                                      Yep, your filters have to be pretty strong…there are lots of people out there who are not going to offer help, but are quite quick to critize/bully/etc…the internet seems to promote this in some ways…we’re all anonymous…you can be mean to someone and chances are you’ll never have to look them in the eye…

                                       

                                       

                                       

                                      Anyway, ignore this person and hopefully someone else with Premier Pro knowledge will offer the advice you need…”

                                       

                                       

                                       

                                      and Marcel had this to say, “wow eh?”.

                                       

                                       

                                      So Shooternz, I posted that Green Screen of James back in Jan 21, 2013 and it’s now Nov 14, 2013, so it’s been awhile since I’ve attempted this green screen thing". I hope you don’t work for Adobe because your response to my post would be a reason I would not consider adobe products anymore. I am just trying to learn by trial and error because schools just don’t offer support after paying out the money, well except for David Black an instructor.

                                      • 16. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                        shooternz Community Member

                                        Heather

                                         

                                        Here is a link to your original post on exactly the same matter. 8 months ago.

                                         

                                        http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1142592?start=0&tstart=0

                                         

                                        It contains exactly the same advices from various people including myself.

                                         

                                        Nothing rude...nothing disrepectful..just basic advice and comment. (Just like this thread)

                                         

                                        Plenty of links and tutorials included.

                                         

                                        I do not work for Adobe just so you know.

                                         

                                        My advice to you is if your video club cant help you shoot a basic key and pull it in post..resign your membership.

                                         

                                        Your neediness is beyond anything they or I can help with.

                                        • 17. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                          hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                                          Shootendz You are still very rude and disrespectful , you were rude back in January and now, I AM A NOVICE, AN AMATEuR,  I must have pushed a button. Look and there's a word I want to call you but I am refraining from that. My point is i only contact this Forum when I am trying to fix something that I can't figure out in my own. Furthermore, I can't access that previous information, that's why I posted. But I won't use this resource anymore because of this experience. I will look at some of the  posts that Kevin and one of the users posted,  I don't have access to those posts from January 2013, do not contact me anymore, you have nothing but to  put me down, I am copying this message to Michael and Marcel.

                                           

                                          Sent from my iPhone

                                          • 18. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                            shooternz Community Member

                                            Someone shoot me now...please.

                                             

                                            Abandon Hope.png

                                            • 20. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                              hurricaneheatherinVictori Community Member

                                              The settings I used were:

                                               

                                              Ultra Key

                                              Output Composite

                                              Setting Custom

                                              Key Color (Green)

                                              Matte Generation

                                              Transparency 50

                                              Highlight 0

                                              Shadow 50

                                              Tolerance 100

                                              Pedestal 100

                                              Matte Clean up

                                              Choke 0

                                              Soften 0

                                              Contrast 0

                                              Midpoint 50

                                               

                                              Spill Suppression

                                              Desaturate 50

                                              Range 25

                                              Spill 50

                                              Luma 50

                                              Color Correction

                                              Saturation 100

                                              Hue 0

                                              Luminance 100

                                               

                                              I am going to have to re shoot this and put lighting on the subject (Marcel) plus have him a few feet away from the Green Screen. My previous work wasn’t perfect, but Marcel liked it (Follow Our Hearts and a few others prior to Ladies Night).  I am just learning but I do need to invest in lighting; although, Marcel has some work lights (hardware store) that we can use, we just have to find them. Thank you for your response.

                                              • 21. Re: What are the Settings when doing Green Screen?
                                                tstormSierra Community Member

                                                Looking through this thread. a $300 camera isn't going to give you a good key. Too much noise and compression. Lighting will help, but it'll still suck. Also, keying in premiere isn't the best. Do you have access to after effects? Keylight (after effects plug in) is a way better option.