Background of Green Screen Hollywood March 29, 2010

Green screen Hollywood technologies, also known as chroma key is an approach used by filmmakers to blend two individual pictures together. This works by causing the backdrop (a strong color that is typically green or blue) transparent in order to reveal another picture that is the actual backdrop that will be shown on film. This method of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay (CSO). It was primarily used for weather reports. Weather forecasters became shot in front of chroma key screens and the background was swapped out by true maps that show weather forecasts. The chroma key technique is also used by filmmakers and photographers alike.

The green screen initially made its appearance in the 1930′s at RKO Radio Pictures. The particular backdrop used in those days was blue. This process of film creating was created in order to generate special effects for the movie “The Thief of Baghdad.” Aside from the chroma key approach, filmmakers depended on a very tedious and time consuming process referred to as “traveling matte.” This made transition just like “wipes” achievable.

Larry Butler is known to be responsible for starting the blue screen approach. Actually, he even got an Oscar for visual effects for his work in “The Thief of Baghdad.” After his accomplishment in the 30′s, Butler was the first individual to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, paving the way for contemporary green screen Hollywood technology.

The very first movies to benefit from Chroma Key technologies was the movie adaptation of Ernest Hemingway renowned novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” a lot more films utilized the chroma key method. Some famous film that take advantage of chroma key technological know-how are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even 300. Films that make use of CGI or computer generated images are also made with the help of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and awesome creatures are able to be shown on film.

These days, green screen Hollywood technology is not only confined to big budget studios. It’s also utilized in photography. Through the initial blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers found out a green backdrop doesn’t require tedious lighting. Cameras are most sensitive to this color, so the end result of films taken on green screens are easier to utilize and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technological know-how has become acknowledged to photography enthusiasts and filmmakers’ best friend.

There are a lot of other websites offering various forms of advice on how to use green screen but a lot of them are not very specific or precise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on Green Screen Rental Hollywood and Green Screen Hollywood, You can also reach me at 1-323-851-3825 or phillipguy@hotmail.com

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