Lighting A Green Screen Studio

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by: melissaoneil
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Word Count: 589
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 Time: 3:28 PM
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The most important thing of working on a green screen set is proper lighting. The goal of this is to ensure that talent don't cast shadows on the green screen stage. Shadows tend to create dark areas on the final scene and can be very hard to key during the final editing process. So here are some simple heads-up on how to light a green screen stage.

What you are going to do first is of course set-up your green screen set. You will need to ensure that it is even and straight if you are using chrome key green fabric or cloth. If you will be filming with a hard green cyc, you will not have to worry with this step. Please make sure the surface is without dirt. You may be wondering the importance of this is. Any wrinkled fabric or footprints can cause shadows. And a shadow is the last thing we want to show up in the green screen studio.

After setting up the green screen studio, you are now ready for setting up the lighting. You maybe be thinking which lights to use. There is so much lighting equipment available that provide us a wide selection of options to pick from. Our lighting decision should be chosen by what we want to film and how we are going to film it. Perhaps you want to capture a glamor model or a live action shot. You might be shooting indoors or outdoors. Or you may want to consider natural lighting or you prefer built-in. It is really personal preference on what lighting to utilize as long as you achieve a desired effects. The studio is to be considered. When you work in a tight area taking photos, you can use continuous lighting equipment. These kinds of lights do not blow off and saturate cameras. Flash lighting is advisable when working in a larger sized workplace when taking photographs. This can be incorporated with the assistance of umbrellas. The process works by directing the flash lights into the parabolic opening of the photography umbrella which distributes a softer light on the talent. Whether you are shooting for a film or a video, a soft light is important so as not to let it oversature the subject. Harsh lights frequently end up creating unattractive and stark environment. You can also utilize studio lights. These lights are bright and are optimal in avoiding shadows. Very impressive results are often created by using studio lights being diffused by umbrellas. Please be cautious when handling studio lights. They are easily heated and can potentially cause someone to get burned.

When you have chosen what lights to use, you can start positioning the lights. Place one light a couple feet just in front of the green screen set which will solely serve as lighting for the talent. Position two other diffuse lights on opposite sides of the stage. A diffuser light acts like a lamp shade with soft light and distributes it in every directions. These lights should also be positioned five feet away from the green screen. Having direct lights on either side will help in eliminating shadows and act as backlighting on the subject.

After you are complete with setting up your lighting on your green screen studio, bring your subject in front of the camera. Don't forget to position your talent properly wherein they would not create shadows on the green screen stage.

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Now the very next time you use of green screen studio, you already know useful lighting techniques to make a better video.