#chroma-key

So Inkblot tried to eat our NPC ally

Download Now

Hotel Mario Chroma Keyed

This is an example of everything NOT to do when creating my final submission. Be mindful, this video was created to be bad. 

My analysis

- The audio is distorted so greatly that nothing can be heard except a grungy rhythm. Since I am doing a narrative piece, audio is KEY in allowing the audience to suspend their disbelief.

- The chromakeying is SHOCKING. The spiralling visuals behind marios head, and being able to see these visuals through his eye, plus the dodgy cut outs around his figure show the techniques behind what they have done. I don't want the techniques to be visible in my piece as, again, I want the audience to suspend their disbelief.

- The colours are seriously hurting my eyes. Over bright scenes and colours within a shot confuse the viewers eye. Colour palette will be important in my production, as I have chosen to create a good versus evil scenario within a number of seconds.

- The shot at 1 min shows a matte painting being zoomed into in the background when the foreground is not moving anywhere, and the main characters are moving in the opposite direction to the matte painting. This again confuses the viewers eye. 

How to fix this - 

Make sure the audio peaks at -12 decibels to avoid distortion. 

Don't add any crazy audio or video filters. If you do add them, make sure they are subtle.

Ensure that the chromakeying is spot on. No hotspots or accidental see through patches are found with the character wearing the same colour as what is to be keyed out in the background.

Avoid moving matte paintings. As they simulate the distance, an object in the foreground moves a lot more than the background image. In most case, the background may not move at all. 

This was difficult to watch, but it does point out where I can put a few feet wrong (even if it exaggerates it)

References:

Another link to a super useful blog on chromakeying (something I have wanted to learn to do for years!) 

It's useful in that it doesn't just suggest programs to work with and the benefits of each, it also breaks down some of the history, the future of chromakeying and how easy it is to do today!

Some tips I have gathered from this link are - 

- Green screens are easier to light and require less light to be lit evenly. 

- Make sure the background is lit with no hotspots so use of the eyedropper tool in After effects is easier

- Stand the subject as far away from the green screen as possible - this helps to reduce spill from the lights. It also helps to blue the backdrops (this can hide wrinkles if the screen is made from fabric)

- After effects is the better program to use

- Light the 'talent' separate from the screen to avoid having shadow and spillage etc

- The things you need: Digital Video camera, tripod, lights (basic system) and compositing software (I have chosen after effects thanks to this link)

KEEP IN MIND this blog was written 7 years ago so the technology for chromakeying now is even better.