The Virtual World - Compositing Using the Green Screen

Definition: Chroma key compositing (or chroma keying) is a technique for compositing two images together in which a color from one image is made transparent revealing another image behind it.

"Green screen Hollywood technology, AKA chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers to mix two separate photographs together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is generally green or blue ) transparent in order to show another image which is the actual background that’ll be shown on film. This technique of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay ( CSO ). It was essentially used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by tangible maps that indicate weather estimates. The chroma key technique is also utilised by filmmakers and photographers alike.

The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930’s at RKO Radio pictures. The backdrop used back then was blue. This strategy of film making was developed in order to create CGI effects for the film “The Burglar of Bagdad.” apart from the chroma key methodology, filmmakers relied on an especially boring and time consuming process called “travelling matte.” This made transition like “wipes” possible .

Larry servant is thought to be answerable for pioneering the blue screen method. In fact, he even took home an Academy Award for visible effects for his work in “The Burglar of Bagdad.” After his success in the 30’s, servant was the first one to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, paving the way for modern green screen Hollywood technology.

The first films to benefit from Chroma Key technology was the movie modification of Ernest Hemingway famous novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” more and more films used the chroma key system. Films that employ CGI or PC generated photographs are also made with the help of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and wonderful creatures are able to be shown on film.

Today, green screen Hollywood technology isn’t just confined to massive budget studios. It’s also used in photography. From the initial blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers discovered that a green background doesn’t need tedious lighting. Cameras are most attuned to this color, so the outcome of films shot on green screens are more easy to work with and manipulate. While acknowledging that, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers’ best chum."

This information was written by Phillip Guye and can be found athttp://www.citytvweb.com/a-brief-history-of-green-screen-hollywood/.