A Brief History of Green Screen Hollywood
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 footage. The backdrop used back then was blue. This method of film making was developed to create special effects for the film “The burglar of Bagdad.” aside from the chroma key technique, filmmakers depended on a tedious and time intensive process called “travelling matte.” This made transition such as “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 thief 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 1st films to profit from Chroma Key technology was the flick adaption of Ernest Hemingway famous novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” more films used the chroma key method. Some famous film that make use of chroma key technology are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even three hundred. Films that employ CGI or computer generated images are also made with the aid of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and fantastic 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.
There are so many other sites giving a variety of forms of advice on how to use green screen but a lot of them are not very detailed or precise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on Green Screen Rentals and Green Screen Hollywood, You can also reach me at 1-323-851-3825 or phillipguy@hotmail.com
Phillip Guye :: Feb.07.2010 :: Marketing :: No Comments »
